The median salary in San Diego, CA is $102,659. If you want to be above average than this figure, you need to earn at least $77,172 to achieve it. Women earn less than men with the median salary for women being $79,935 while that of men is $94,422. For entry level positions, it takes less money as salaries begin at a median of $57,835 for men and $52,610 for women. The highest median salaries are enjoyed by those who have worked at their company for ten years and more earning a median compensation of $180,700 per annum.
Introduction
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Registered Nurse (RN)s?
An entry-level Registered Nurse (RN) with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $36.53 based on 56 salaries. An early career Registered Nurse (RN) with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $41.53 based on 147 salaries. A mid-career Registered Nurse (RN) with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $48.26 based on 92 salaries. An experienced Registered Nurse (RN) with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $53.41 based on 85 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $53. Read less
What Do Registered Nurse (RN)s Do?
Most of the time, registered nurses (RN) work for hospitals or medical clinics. They may also work for other organizations, such as outpatient facilities, rehabilitation centers, or senior centers. Their main job is to promote wellness and health.
To become RNs, they must have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Some employers require candidates to have prior experience as an RN. They must have a license from their state’s board of nursing. In order to administer medications, some states require that RNs pass a medication administration exam. They must follow standards of care and practices. They must be able to use various medical instruments.
They may be required to travel to visit patients at their homes. They must be able to work in a team environment. They must have excellent interpersonal and communications skills. They must follow doctors’ instructions. They may be required to attend various workshop, classes, or conferences to improve their skills as RNs. They must read professional journals to keep themselves up to date with current medical findings and technology. They may have to renew their nursing licenses regularly, depending on the states where they are practicing as RNs. They may be required to train, coach, or mentor new or more junior nurses.
Medical
77%
Dental
71%
Vision
62%
None
21%
Gender Breakdown for Registered Nurse (RN)s
Female
90.7%
Male
8.5%
Prefer to self-define
0.8%
This data is based on 129 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
What Are Popular Skills for Registered Nurse (RN)s?
Avg. Hourly Rate
Popularity
$46
97 responses
$46
96 responses
$45
93 responses
$44
28 responses
$37
24 responses
Skills in Acute Care, Medicine / Surgery and Telemetry are correlated to pay that is above average. Skills that pay less than market rate include Geriatrics and Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Skills That Affect Registered Nurse (RN) Salaries
Different skills can affect your salary. Below are the most popular skills and their effect on salary.
▲32%
Recovery / Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
▲13%
▲8%
▲7%
▲3%
▲2%
▲2%
▲1%
▲1%
▲1%
Popular Career Paths for Registered Nurse (RN)s
Explore the most common career paths for Registered Nurse (RN). Thickness and color of lines indicates popularity of movement from one job to the next. Visit our career path planner to research other job paths.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurse (RN), Critical Care
Registered Nurse (RN)
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
Family Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Staff Nurse
More common (> 20%)
Somewhat common (8 – 20%)
Less common (< 8%)
FAQs About Registered Nurse (RN)s
What is the highest pay for Registered Nurse (RN)s in San Diego?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Registered Nurse (RN) in San Diego is $60.77 / hour
What is the lowest pay for Registered Nurse (RN)s in San Diego?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Registered Nurse (RN) in San Diego is $31.88 / hour
How can Registered Nurse (RN)s increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Registered Nurse (RN) is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Registered Nurse (RN) that oversees more junior Registered Nurse (RN)s, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.
conclusion
The research on how to find a dream job is a little thin out there. We’ve included the best resources we were able to find, but if anything changes–and we learn of any new research that comes out–we’ll definitely let you know. In the meantime, happy job searching!
