Salary Report for California Registered Nurses

  • The number of Registered Nurses currently employed in California is 324,400.
  • Registered Nurses in California earn an average of $124,000 per year or $59.62 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Registered Nurses who work in California is 11%.
  • California will need 358,900 new Registered Nurses by 2030 or 21,200 new nurses per year.

California Rankings

  • California ranks #1 in the U.S. for Registered Nurses salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • California ranks #1 in the U.S. for the total number of Registered Nurses employed.
  • California ranks #1 in U.S. for the number of new Registered Nurses needed by 2030.
  • California ranks #25 in U.S. for the percentage of new Registered Nurses needed by 2030.

Compare California to U.S.

California Registered Nurses earn an average of $124,000 which is 49% more than the national average salary of $82,750.

TypeCaliforniaU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$59.62$39.7849.87%
Average Annual Salary$124,000$82,75049.85%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In California, 50% of Registered Nurses earn between $98,960 and $155,930 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Registered Nurses earn more than $165,620, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Registered Nurses.

Approximately 10% of Registered Nurses earn under $78,070, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Registered Nurses.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year32,440Under $78,070
15%2 – 4 years48,660$78,070 – $98,960
25%5 – 9 years81,100$98,960 – $125,340
25%10 – 14 years81,100$125,340 – $155,930
15%15 – 20 years48,660$125,340 – $165,620
10%20+ years32,440Above $165,620
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Registered Nurses in California nurses earn about $112,339 per year which is more than the average U.S. nurse of $82,750.

Cost-of-living in California is 10% higher than the national average, which means California residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

  • National average salary for Registered Nurses is $82,750.
  • Average California Registered Nurses salary is $124,000.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, California Registered Nurses earn an average salary of $112,339.

More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $124,000, California Registered Nurses tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($232,540), Nurse Practitioners ($151,830), and Nurse Midwives ($137,070).

However, Registered Nurses tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($39,760), LPNs ($65,140), and Nursing Instructors ($106,850).

TitleAnnual Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$232,540
Nurse Practitioners$151,830
Nurse Midwives$137,070
Registered Nurses$124,000
Nursing Instructors $106,850
LPNs$65,140
Nursing Assistants$39,760
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Projected Demand for Nurses in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in California the three professions needing the most new nurses by 2030 are Registered Nurses (358,900), Nursing Assistants (110,000) and LPNs (83,500).

The three professions in California needing highest percentage new nurses by 2030 are Nurse Practitioners (55.5%), Nursing Instructors (26.3%) and Nurse Anesthetists (20%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Registered Nurses323,900358,90010.8%21,200
Nursing Assistants97,300110,00013.1%13,780
LPNs72,40083,50015.3%6,980
Nurse Practitioners17,30026,90055.5%2,120
Nursing Instructors 3,8004,80026.3%490
Nurse Anesthetists2,0002,40020%150
Nurse Midwives1,2001,40016.7%90
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by California Cities

The average salary for Registered Nurses in California is $124,000. The top cities that pay Registered Nurses the most are El Centro ($91,120), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($155,230) and San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward ($151,640).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Registered Nurses the highest average annual salary are San Diego-Carlsbad ($99,788), El Centro ($97,538) and Santa Maria-Santa Barbara ($91,592).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Registered Nurses in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.

The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Registered Nurses salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$155,230$138,450$-16,780
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward$151,640$129,198$-22,442
Vallejo-Fairfield$146,360$134,994$-11,366
Santa Rosa$141,440$128,769$-12,671
Napa$139,680$125,352$-14,328
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$139,590$127,573$-12,017
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade$135,490$127,700$-7,790
Salinas$130,520$117,851$-12,669
Modesto$127,730$124,360$-3,370
Hanford-Corcoran$124,790$129,881$5,091
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande$122,730$112,051$-10,679
Fresno$119,830$120,022$192
Stockton-Lodi$119,600$115,222$-4,378
Yuba City$117,190$117,779$589
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$116,110$103,772$-12,338
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California$115,160$115,241$81
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$114,530$102,810$-11,720
San Diego-Carlsbad$113,150$99,788$-13,362
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$111,700$107,704$-3,996
North Coast Region of California$110,760$110,838$78
Redding$110,760$110,860$100
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California$109,990$110,067$77
Merced$107,760$108,673$913
Chico$107,290$105,725$-1,565
Bakersfield$107,090$107,975$885
Visalia-Porterville$102,330$104,879$2,549
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$100,770$91,592$-9,178
El Centro$91,120$97,538$6,418
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for California Registered Nurses

California Registered Nurses earn between $78,070 and $165,620 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 324,400 Registered Nurses employed in California which is about 11% of the U.S. total.

Nurse Anesthetists are the highest paid nurses in California with an average annual wage of $232,540.

An entry level nurse makes as much as $78,070 a year in California

The most Registered Nurses work in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area where 113,890 Registered Nurses are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Registered Nurses in California earn 112,339 per year, while the average across the United States earns $82,750.

By 2030, California will need 358,900 Registered Nurses. A total of 21,200 Registered Nurses will need to enter into the California work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Bakersfield

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $107,090
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $107,975
Hourly Wage: $51.49
Currently Employed: 5,310
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.18
Bakersfield Salary Report

Chico

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $107,290
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $105,725
Hourly Wage: $52
Currently Employed: 1,980
Cost-of-Living Index: 101.48
Chico Salary Report

Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $109,990
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $110,067
Hourly Wage: $52.88
Currently Employed: 1,100
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.93
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California Salary Report

El Centro

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $91,120
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $97,538
Hourly Wage: $44
Currently Employed: 770
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.42
El Centro Salary Report

Fresno

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $119,830
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $120,022
Hourly Wage: $57.61
Currently Employed: 8,140
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.84
Fresno Salary Report

Hanford-Corcoran

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $124,790
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $129,881
Hourly Wage: $60
Currently Employed: 970
Cost-of-Living Index: 96.08
Hanford-Corcoran Salary Report

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $116,110
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $103,772
Hourly Wage: $55.82
Currently Employed: 113,890
Cost-of-Living Index: 111.89
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Salary Report

Merced

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $107,760
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $108,673
Hourly Wage: $52
Currently Employed: 820
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.16
Merced Salary Report

Modesto

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $127,730
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $124,360
Hourly Wage: $61.41
Currently Employed: 4,900
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.71
Modesto Salary Report

Napa

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $139,680
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $125,352
Hourly Wage: $67
Currently Employed: 1,520
Cost-of-Living Index: 111.43
Napa Salary Report

North Coast Region of California

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $110,760
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $110,838
Hourly Wage: $53.25
Currently Employed: 1,840
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.93
North Coast Region of California Salary Report

North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $115,160
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $115,241
Hourly Wage: $55
Currently Employed: 1,750
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.93
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California Salary Report

Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $114,530
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $102,810
Hourly Wage: $55.06
Currently Employed: 5,520
Cost-of-Living Index: 111.40
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura Salary Report

Redding

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $110,760
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $110,860
Hourly Wage: $53
Currently Employed: 1,690
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.91
Redding Salary Report

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $111,700
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $107,704
Hourly Wage: $53.70
Currently Employed: 30,570
Cost-of-Living Index: 103.71
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Salary Report

Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $135,490
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $127,700
Hourly Wage: $65
Currently Employed: 21,770
Cost-of-Living Index: 106.10
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade Salary Report

Salinas

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $130,520
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $117,851
Hourly Wage: $62.75
Currently Employed: 3,250
Cost-of-Living Index: 110.75
Salinas Salary Report

San Diego-Carlsbad

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $113,150
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $99,788
Hourly Wage: $54
Currently Employed: 27,200
Cost-of-Living Index: 113.39
San Diego-Carlsbad Salary Report

San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $151,640
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $129,198
Hourly Wage: $72.90
Currently Employed: 41,160
Cost-of-Living Index: 117.37
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Salary Report

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $155,230
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $138,450
Hourly Wage: $75
Currently Employed: 20,640
Cost-of-Living Index: 112.12
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Salary Report

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $122,730
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $112,051
Hourly Wage: $59.00
Currently Employed: 1,920
Cost-of-Living Index: 109.53
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande Salary Report

Santa Cruz-Watsonville

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $139,590
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $127,573
Hourly Wage: $67
Currently Employed: 1,520
Cost-of-Living Index: 109.42
Santa Cruz-Watsonville Salary Report

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $100,770
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $91,592
Hourly Wage: $48.45
Currently Employed: 4,540
Cost-of-Living Index: 110.02
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara Salary Report

Santa Rosa

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $141,440
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $128,769
Hourly Wage: $68
Currently Employed: 3,510
Cost-of-Living Index: 109.84
Santa Rosa Salary Report

Stockton-Lodi

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $119,600
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $115,222
Hourly Wage: $57.50
Currently Employed: 4,820
Cost-of-Living Index: 103.80
Stockton-Lodi Salary Report

Vallejo-Fairfield

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $146,360
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $134,994
Hourly Wage: $70
Currently Employed: 3,530
Cost-of-Living Index: 108.42
Vallejo-Fairfield Salary Report

Visalia-Porterville

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $102,330
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $104,879
Hourly Wage: $49.20
Currently Employed: 2,800
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.57
Visalia-Porterville Salary Report

Yuba City

Average Registered Nurses Salary: $117,190
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $117,779
Hourly Wage: $56
Currently Employed: 950
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.50
Yuba City Salary Report

Official Data Sources for Registered Nurses: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data