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Registered Nurse Salary in California
In May 2024, registered nurses in California earned a median annual wage of $140,330 ($67.47 an hour) and a mean annual wage of $148,330, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey. BLS counted 326,720 registered nurses working in California — about 10.0% of the 3,282,010 such jobs in the United States. This page breaks down how that pay compares with the national figures for the occupation, where California ranks among all states, and how pay is spread from entry-level to top earners inside the state. For wider context, the U.S. all-occupation median wage in the same survey was $23.80 an hour; the California page linked below puts this occupation alongside every other job BLS publishes for the state.
How California ranks for registered nurse pay
Among the 51 states and areas where BLS publishes a median for this occupation, California ranks #1 for registered nurse pay. The California median of $140,330 is 49.9% higher than the national median of $93,600, and the state mean of $148,330 compares with a national mean of $98,430 (50.7% higher). The highest-paying state, California, posts a median of $140,330, so California sits $0 behind the top of the market. For a registered nurse weighing a move, that gap has to be set against California's housing and living costs, which this wage survey does not measure.
The pay spread inside California
Not every registered nurse in California earns the median. The lowest-paid 10% earned $100,120 or less in May 2024, and the bottom quarter earned $119,710 or less. At the top of the distribution, the highest-paid quarter earned at least $172,200 and the top 10% earned at least $208,880. Experience, employer type, shift and overtime patterns, and metro-versus-rural location all push individual pay toward one end of that range. Statewide, the occupation is also a meaningful part of the California job market: by employment it ranks #6 among the occupations BLS publishes for the state — see the full California salary page for the state's complete tables.
Registered Nurse pay in California at a glance
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $140,330 | $93,600 |
| Mean annual wage | $148,330 | $98,430 |
| Median hourly wage | $67.47 | $45.00 |
| 10th percentile | $100,120 | $66,030 |
| 25th percentile | $119,710 | $78,610 |
| 75th percentile | $172,200 | $107,960 |
| 90th percentile | $208,880 | $135,320 |
| Employment | 326,720 | 3,282,010 |
For the full state-by-state picture of this occupation, see the Registered Nurses salary by state page. For every occupation's pay in this state, see average salary in California.
Compare other states
- Registered Nurse salary in Florida
- Registered Nurse salary in New York
- Registered Nurse salary in Texas
Registered Nurse in California FAQ
How much do registered nurses make in California?
The median wage for registered nurses in California was $140,330 a year ($67.47 an hour) in May 2024, and the mean was $148,330, across 326,720 jobs.
Is California a good-paying state for registered nurses?
California ranks #1 of 51 published states and areas for registered nurse median pay. Its median of $140,330 is 49.9% higher than the national median of $93,600.
How many registered nurses work in California?
BLS estimated 326,720 registered nurses jobs in California in May 2024 — about 10.0% of the 3,282,010 such jobs nationwide.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Figures checked October 2026.