What RNs earn in San Jose
Registered nurses in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro earn a median of $216,740 a year, 122% above the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $165,050 and $223,510, 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 Jose ranks #1 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $216,740 | $165,050 – $223,510 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $231,560 | $178,880 – $279,950 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Cost of living and the San Jose nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $3,483 a month in San Jose, which is roughly 19% of a median RN salary before taxes. That leaves RNs here more room in the budget than in most big nursing markets.
About 22,930 RNs work in this metro, the #34 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 95 healthcare employers in San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, including 28 behavioral health facilities, 25 long-term care facilities, 22 dialysis centers and 13 outpatient surgery centers.
Hospitals hiring nurses in San Jose
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in San Jose
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Career advice for San Jose 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 Jose
How much do registered nurses make in San Jose?
The median RN salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro is $216,740 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $165,050 and $223,510.
What do nurse practitioners earn in San Jose?
Nurse practitioners in the San Jose metro earn a median of $231,560 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in San Jose?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $3,483 a month in San Jose, roughly 19% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in San Jose?
Hospitals in the San Jose area include Kaiser Foundation Hospital-San Jose, Regional Medical Center of San Jose, Good Samaritan Hospital, Kaiser Foundation Hospital-Santa Clara, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
How do I find a nursing job in San Jose?
Browse current California openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in San Jose can find you, and compare pay using the California salary guide.