As a nurse in California, you’ll help administer care to patients with a wide range of health needs. In addition to on-the-job training, you’ll need post-secondary training in a healthcare field such as nursing through an associate degree program or community college. Look at the following table to see what your starting salary is likely to be based on your level of education and experience.
The starting salary for a nurse’s assistant in California can vary greatly depending on the employer, location and experience level of the candidate. However, here are some general guidelines to help you figure out how much you can expect to make:
Starting Salary For Nurse In California Overview
The California State Board of Nursing lists the average salary for a nurse in California as $100,000. That’s an annual salary, not an hourly wage—so it’s a good idea to know what you can expect in terms of pay before you start looking for work.
The starting salary for a nurse in California is around $55,000 per year. It’s important to note that this is the starting point, and it will increase significantly over time. By 2022, nurses in California can expect to make somewhere between $76,000 and $80,000 per year.
If you’re looking for some insight into how much nurses make at specific hospitals or health care centers in California, there are several places where you can find out more about registered nurses’ salaries: Kaiser Permanente (here), Stanford Health Care (here), the UCLA Medical Center (here), and UCSF Medical Center (here).
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)
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% |
Registered nurse salary range in California
10%
$78,070
MEDIAN
$125,340
90%
$165,620
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $165,620 | $79 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,930 | $74 |
| Median | $125,340 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,960 | $47 |
80% of California RNs earn between $78,070 and $165,620.
Cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in California
Cost-Of-Living Adjusted
California
$112,318
Overall Average
California
$124,000
Adjusted for cost-of-living, California RNs earn about $112,318 per year. Cost-of-living in California is 10% higher than the national average, meaning they face higher prices for food, housing, and transportation compared to other states.
