Registered Nurses Salary in California
Registered Nurses in California earn a median annual wage of $140,270 —43.8% above the national median of $97,550. That ranks CA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.86×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $140,270 | $67.44 | 338,940 | 0.86 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $136,320 | $65.54 | 12,940 | 0.95 |
| 3 | Oregon | $129,010 | $62.02 | 39,730 | 0.93 |
| 4 | Washington | $124,200 | $59.71 | 69,260 | 0.90 |
| 5 | Alaska | $109,480 | $52.64 | 7,510 | 1.06 |
| 6 | New York | $109,440 | $52.62 | 205,810 | 0.98 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $106,500 | $51.20 | 92,680 | 0.99 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $104,550 | $50.27 | 88,200 | 1.12 |
| 9 | Nevada | $103,670 | $49.84 | 27,070 | 0.80 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $102,740 | $49.39 | 40,110 | 1.09 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
| Pharmacists | $164,610 | $140,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do registered nurses make in California?
The median annual wage for registered nurses in California is $140,270, or $67.44 per hour. That is 43.8% above the national median of $97,550.
What is the entry-level registered nurses salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $101,260 per year ($48.68/hour). The 25th percentile is $122,440.
How many people work as registered nurses in California?
About 338,940 people work in this occupation in California, or 18.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for registered nurses?
California ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.86x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays registered nurses the most?
California has the highest median wage at $140,270 per year, followed by Hawaii ($136,320) and Oregon ($129,010).