Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Registered Nurses Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Registered Nurses make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$140,270
Median Annual Salary
▬
-0.0% vs 2024
$150,280
Mean Salary
$140,270
Median Salary
$67.44
Hourly Rate
338,940 people work as Registered Nurses in California
Registered Nurses salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Registered Nurses in California earn a median salary of $140,270 per year ($11,689/month).
This is 49.1% above the national average of $94,098.
California ranks #1 out of 51 states for Registered Nurses pay.
Approximately 338,940 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries remained stable by 0.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Registered Nurses
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.38
Social Perceptiveness
4.25
Reading Comprehension
4.12
Speaking
4.12
Critical Thinking
4.12
Key Knowledge Areas
Psychology
4.96
Medicine and Dentistry
4.74
Therapy and Counseling
4.74
English Language
4.61
Education and Training
4.55
Typical Education: Master's Degree
(96.5% of workers)
Salaries for Registered Nurses in California range from $101,260 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $213,320 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $122,440 and $173,170.
The median annual salary for Registered Nurses in California is $140,270 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $150,280.
What is the salary range for a Registered Nurses in California?
Salaries for Registered Nurses in California range from $101,260 at the 10th percentile to $213,320 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $122,440 and $173,170.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in California?
Entry-level Registered Nurses positions in California typically start around $101,260 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $122,440 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Registered Nurses in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 338,940 people are employed as Registered Nurses in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Registered Nurses in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Registered Nurses in California is approximately $67.44 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.