Nurse salary in San Diego
Registered nurses in the San Diego, CA area earn about $127,300 a year ($61.20/hr) — about 36% above the U.S. average. City figures are estimates based on national pay and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered nurse — San Diego, CA
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$127,300
+36% vs nationalHourly
$61.20/hr
- Typical range
- $103,350–$137,060
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $184,040
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $89,800
- Newer nurses
Part of California. See statewide nurse pay and other metros.
Nurse roles in San Diego
Estimated median pay by role.
| Role | Median | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $127,300 | Estimated |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $84,780 | Estimated |
| Nurse Practitioner | $179,590 | Estimated |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $303,570 | Estimated |
| Travel Nurse | $159,120 | Specialty estimate |
| ICU Nurse | $142,570 | Specialty estimate |
| Nurse Manager | $165,480 | Specialty estimate |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $53,870 | Estimated |
What affects nurse pay in San Diego
High pay, high cost of living. Beyond that, local nurse pay reflects the cost of living, the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Estimate your own with the calculator.
How this estimate was calculated
The San Diego figure adjusts the national RN average of $93,600 for local pay levels — a factor of 1.36× (about 36% above the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official San Diego 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 metro wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this metro estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for San Diego, based on national pay and local cost of living until official metro 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 San Diego 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 × metro wage index)
San Diego, CA figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a metro wage index of 1.36 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS metro files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Last reviewed June 1, 2025.