The California Registered Nurse (RN) Salary is around $93,000 annually. In the first year of getting their RN license, a nurse can expect to make around $75,000. The average cost of living in California is significantly higher than the national average. If a nurse decided to live in a more affordable location (like the Inland Empire), their salary would be less than if they lived in San Francisco or Los Angeles.
Introduction
In California, registered nurses (RNs) earn more than in any other state at $124,000, and they enjoy an above-average job outlook thanks to greater availability of medical coverage and advances in medicine. It is expected that some 30,133 new RN positions will become available in CA in 2026, and most of these positions will be in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Riverside-San Bernardino area. To become an RN in California, you need an ADN or BSN degree from a nursing school approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN exam to practice as a nurse in this state.
What is The Average Salary of a Registered Nurse in California?
RNs in California earn an average of $124,000 each year or $10,330 monthly or $59.62 hourly. This figure can fluctuate based on your city of residence, your employer, and your overall nursing experience.
| Type | Average Salary |
| Hourly | $59.62 |
| Monthly | $10,330 |
| Annual | $124,000 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
How Much Will I Earn as an RN in California?
RNs in this state earn between $78,070 and $165,620 depending on several unique factors. Around 10% of RNs earn above $165,620, which is the highest pay rate in the state. About 10% of RNs earn under $78,070, which is considered an entry-level salary. If you have more experience, and if you work for the same employer for many years, you can earn a salary at the higher end of the scale. You will also earn more if you work in highly-populated areas like Los Angeles or San Francisco. If you are new to the nursing career, you will earn a salary on the lower end of this scale.
| Percentile Wage Estimates of all RN Workers in CA | ||
| Percent of RN’s | Number of RN’s | Annual Salary |
| 10% | 32,440 | Under $78,070 |
| 15% | 48,660 | $78,070 – $98,960 |
| 25% | 81,100 | $98,960 – $125,340 |
| 25% | 81,100 | $125,340 – $155,930 |
| 15% | 48,660 | $155,930 – $165,620 |
| 10% | 32,440 | Above $165,620 |
(Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ADN VS BSN Salary
RNs in California who hold BSN degrees earn an average $10,580 more than nurses with ADN degrees. This is because the BSN degree provides more education and takes longer to complete, thus signifying your level of skill. Employers in California prefer nurses with more education.
| BSN Salary | ADN Salary | How Much More Does BSN Earn |
| $130,530 | $119,950 | $10,580 |
(Source: In-House Research, May 2018)
California RN Salary Comparison
RN California VS National
RNs in California earn on an average 49% more compared to the average RN salary nationally.
| Type | California RN | United States RN | Difference | % Difference |
| Average Hourly Wage | $59.62 | $39.78 | $19.84 | 49.87% |
| Average Annual Salary | $124,000 | $82,750 | $41,250 | 49.85% |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
VS All Occupations in CA
$0$50,000$1,00,000$1,50,000$2,00,000$2,50,000(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)Nursing AsstantLicensed Practical and Licensed VacationalNursing Instructor and TeachersRegistered NurseNurse PractitionerNurse Midwive AssistantNurse Anesthetist$33,560$53,600$94,670$1,02,700$1,26,770$1,32,480$2,17,230
VS Similar Healthcare Occupations in CA
$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,000(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)Emergency Medical Technicia & ParamedicMedical AssistantSocial WorkerCardiovascular Technologist and TechnicianOccupational TherapistDiagnostic Medical SonographerDental HygienistRegistered NursePhysician Assistant$36,370$36,630$66,300$72,750$89,870$91,700$97,420$102,700$112,930
Salary Growth Trend (2017-2021)
Salary for an RN in this state grew 21.87% between 2017 and 2021. This is due to the higher demand for skilled RNs, particularly in facilities providing state-of-the-art medical care. Expanding healthcare coverage means more people in CA seek medical care each year, and as the number of patients continues to rise, the number of RNs needed to care for them rises, as well.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | % Growth |
| 2017 | $102,700 | $950 | 0.93% |
| 2018 | $106,950 | $4,250 | 4.14% |
| 2019 | $113,240 | $6,290 | 5.88% |
| 2020 | $120,560 | $7,320 | 6.46% |
| 2021 | $124,000 | $3,440 | 2.85% |
| Overall Growth in Last Five Years | $22,250 | 21.87% |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Salary Growth Projection (2022-2026)
RN salary growth in the state of California is expected to follow the previous years’ trends. In fact, in 2022, RNs across the state will earn an average of $124,000 annually. Factors that will drive salary increases for RNs in California vary, but supply versus demand is by far the biggest contributor. Many employers struggle to find skilled nurses, and they are willing to pay their RNs more each year. What’s more, information from the California Board of Registered Nursing suggests that the number of RN graduates has been on the decline in recent years, which means there are fewer people entering the field despite higher demand.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | % Growth |
| 2022 | $128,280 | $4,280 | 3.45% |
| 2023 | $132,870 | $4,590 | 3.58% |
| 2024 | $137,760 | $4,890 | 3.68% |
| 2025 | $143,550 | $5,790 | 4.20% |
| 2026 | $151,370 | $7,820 | 5.45% |
| Overall Growth in Next Five Years | $27,370 | 22.07% |
(Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Registered Nurse Salary in Major Cities of California
The city where you work can have a huge influence on your salary as a whole. RNs who work in heavily-populated parts of CA tend to earn significantly more than their counterparts.
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, RNs earn between $77,580 – $161,880 each year with an average annual salary of $116,110. Los Angeles is the most heavily-populated city in California, which means its hospitals, emergency rooms, and long-term care facilities remain busy and demand quality nursing staff. Hospitals like Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, and the UCLA Medical Center are some of the biggest employers of RNs in CA. Other employers that are more common in LA than other parts of the state include drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities and cosmetic surgeons’ offices.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | % Growth |
| 2017 | $93,800 | -$130 | -0.14% |
| 2018 | $99,930 | $6,130 | 6.54% |
| 2019 | $106,190 | $6,260 | 6.26% |
| 2020 | $113,120 | $6,930 | 6.53% |
| 2021 | $116,110 | $2,990 | 2.64% |
Conclusion
California is a popular destination for staff and travel nurses alike. In 2018, California was home to more than 319,800 nurses.
However, California has a strong job outlook, as the number of nurses in State Name is expected to grow. Registered nurse jobs are forecasted to grow by more than 17% between 2018 and 2028, bringing the total number of working nurses in California to more than 373,200. rn nurse salary in california
