RN Salary by Role in California
RN Pay by Metro in California
Where you work inside California moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major California market, compared with the national RN median of $97,550. Tap a metro for hospitals, openings and cost of living.
| Metro | Median RN pay | Typical range | NP median |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $216,740 | $165,050 – $223,510 | $231,560 |
| San Francisco | $186,610 | $137,120 – $215,630 | $219,080 |
| Sacramento | $171,460 | $131,830 – $198,580 | $172,010 |
| San Diego | $139,520 | $128,380 – $169,920 | $163,860 |
| Los Angeles | $135,560 | $112,070 – $167,800 | $161,470 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino | $133,940 | $107,730 – $165,500 | $169,920 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
About RN Pay in California
California ranks among the top-paying states for nurses, with staff RNs averaging $120,000 annually.
The earnings curve is significant across a nursing career in California. Entry-level new grad RNs generally start near $75,000, while experienced specialty nurses in high-acuity areas (ICU, ER, OR) average closer to $136,000. Leadership tracks open up further upside: nurse managers average around $152,000, directors of nursing near $176,000, and CNOs can reach $208,000. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CNSs, CRNAs, and CNMs) in California report average compensation around $152,000.
California is not currently a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses moving to or from California will need to apply for licensure by endorsement through the California Board of Registered Nursing rather than relying on a multistate license.
Keep in mind that California also tends to have a higher cost of living, so weigh take-home pay against housing, taxes, and everyday expenses when comparing offers.
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