What RNs earn in San Diego
Registered nurses in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro earn a median of $139,520 a year, 43% above the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $128,380 and $169,920, so experience, specialty and shift differentials can move you a long way inside that range. Among the 60 metro markets The RN Network tracks, San Diego ranks #4 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $128,380 – $169,920 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $135,410 – $181,120 |
| Nurse Midwife | $181,450 | $128,180 – $222,890 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Cost of living and the San Diego nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $3,001 a month in San Diego, which is roughly 26% of a median RN salary before taxes. That is a manageable share, but it is worth negotiating hard on base pay and differentials.
About 28,680 RNs work in this metro, the #25 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 160 healthcare employers in San Diego, Chula Vista and Carlsbad, including 70 behavioral health facilities, 27 dialysis centers, 27 long-term care facilities and 26 outpatient surgery centers.
Hospitals hiring nurses in San Diego
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in San Diego
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RN Workforce Insights™ shows time to fill, turnover and nurse supply for San Diego, so you plan hiring around real numbers.
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Career advice for San Diego nurses
Watch the latest episode of Nursing Matters, the show that helps nurses find the right job, land the offer and grow their careers.
You Passed the NCLEX. Can You Lose This License? Nursing Matters Episode 102626
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Happy Medical-Surgical Nurses Week, which the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses celebrates November 1 through 7 and which opens today.
Read the article →Common questions about nursing in San Diego
How much do registered nurses make in San Diego?
The median RN salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro is $139,520 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $128,380 and $169,920.
What do nurse practitioners earn in San Diego?
Nurse practitioners in the San Diego metro earn a median of $163,860 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in San Diego?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $3,001 a month in San Diego, roughly 26% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in San Diego?
Hospitals in the San Diego area include UC San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr, VA San Diego Healthcare System, Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego, Scripps Mercy Hospital, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
How do I find a nursing job in San Diego?
Browse current California openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in San Diego can find you, and compare pay using the California salary guide.