Nurse salary in California
Registered nurses in California earn about $129,170 a year ($62.10/hr) — about 38% above the U.S. average. State figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered nurse — California
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$129,170
+38% vs nationalHourly
$62.10/hr
- Typical range
- $104,870–$139,080
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $186,740
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $91,120
- Newer nurses
Explore California nurse pay
Switch between cities and roles to drill into local pay.
Nurse pay by type in California
Estimated annual pay by nurse type, ranked. Local figures are estimates.
- Certified Registered Nurse AnesthetistEstimated$308,030$148.09/hr
- Nurse PractitionerEstimated$182,230$87.61/hr
- Nurse ManagerSpecialty estimate$167,920$80.73/hr
- Travel NurseSpecialty estimate$161,460$77.63/hr
- ICU NurseSpecialty estimate$144,670$69.55/hr
- Registered NurseEstimated$129,170$62.10/hr
- Licensed Practical NurseEstimated$86,030$41.36/hr
- Nursing Assistant (CNA)Estimated$54,660$26.28/hr
What affects nurse pay in California
Highest nurse pay in the U.S., offset by high cost of living. Within California, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, the mix of hospitals vs long-term care and clinics, union presence, shift differentials, and how short-staffed local employers are. Advanced-practice roles (NP, CRNA) and critical-care specialties command the highest pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The California figure adjusts the national RN average of $93,600 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.38× (about 38% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official California wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for California, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in California make this page more precise over time.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
California figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 1.38 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Last reviewed June 1, 2025.