Average Registered Nurse Salary in California
Registered nurses in California earn an average of $124,000 per year (or $59.62 per hour).
California registered nurses earn 49% higher than the national average salary for RNs, at $82,750 (or $39.78 per hour).
Registered nurse salary range in California
| 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
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.
How much do similar professions get paid in California?
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,540 per year |
| Nurse Midwife | $159,590 per year |
| Nurse Practitioner | $151,830 per year |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,970 per year |
| Physical Therapist | $104,500 per year |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,140 per year |
| Pharmacy Technician | $49,990 per year |
At a $124,000 average annual salary, RNs in California tend to earn less than nurse anesthetists ($232,540), nurse midwives ($159,590), and nurse practitioners ($151,830). They tend to earn more than dental hygienists ($109,970), physical therapists ($104,500), licensed practical nurses ($65,140), and pharmacy technicians ($49,990).
More about registered nurses
Registered nurses are licensed practitioners who help provide crucial care to patients in a wide variety of settings. Generally, they work under the supervision of a doctor or a nurse practitioner. Their day-to-day responsibilities depend on the specialty in which they choose to practice. Some of the most common specialties include ICU, pediatric, and medical-surgical nurses.
Free nursing salary estimate
Data sources: rn salary data, cost of living data
