Registered Nurse Salary in California

Compare live registered nurse pay signals and active healthcare openings in California.

Generated from 80 active jobs and 80 listed-pay samples in this market.

Average salary

$167,427

Hourly average

$80.49/hr

Low

$108,850

High

$210,465

Vs national

+70%

Salary distribution

Mean, median, and range in California

80 pay samples
Low $108,850
Median $164,333
Mean $167,427
High $210,465
Low sample$108,850
Median$164,333
Mean$167,427
High sample$210,465

Purchasing power

Salary vs cost of living

Local salary$167,427
National benchmark$98,430
Purchasing power$170,844

Because local costs are lower, this salary can feel closer to this amount in an average-cost city.

Local average$167,427
National benchmark$98,430
Benchmark sourceBLS OEWS May 2025
Estimated local cost level98 cents per national $1
Purchasing power$170,844
Estimated rent share8 cents of each gross-pay dollar

Compare another market

Does California pay stretch further?

Compare Registered Nurse pay with local cost levels included.

Here

$167,427 adjusted

Compared with

$84,571 adjusted

RN Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level

0-2 years

$137,290

$120,547$150,684

Mid Level

3-5 years

$167,427

$150,684$184,170

Experienced

6-10 years

$189,193

$170,776$207,609

Senior

10+ years

$217,655

$194,215$242,769

What Affects RN Pay in California?

Shift Differentials

  • Day ShiftBase pay
  • Evening Shift+$2-4/hr
  • Night Shift+$4-8/hr
  • Weekend+$3-6/hr

Location Factors

  • Rural areas may offer higher pay due to staffing shortages.
  • Hospital systems typically pay more than private clinics.
  • Travel RN positions offer premium rates.
  • Cost-of-living adjustments can improve purchasing power.

RN Benefits & Top Employers in California

Common Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision benefits vary by employer
  • Shift differential opportunities may be available
  • Sign-on and relocation incentives vary by facility
  • Continuing education or certification support may be available

Market summary

Registered Nurse pay in California is estimated from live JibJob openings with listed compensation. Use this guide to compare pay alongside current employer demand before applying.

This generated salary page requires at least 10 active jobs and 3 usable salary samples in the market, so low-inventory role and city combinations are not published.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in California?
The current JibJob estimate for Registered Nurse roles in California is based on 80 listed-pay job samples across 80 active openings.
Are Registered Nurse jobs hiring in California?
Yes. JibJob is currently tracking 80 active registered nurse openings in California.

Data Sources & Methodology

The data presented on this page is compiled from multiple authoritative sources to provide accurate and up-to-date information about healthcare careers and cost of living.

Last updated: 2026-06-16T04:15:57.842Z

Salary data represents averages and may vary based on experience, employer, and specific position. Cost of living indices are relative to the national average of 100.