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State comparison · 2025

Registered Nurses salary: California vs Pennsylvania

Occupation

Registered Nurses in California earn a median of $140,270. In Pennsylvania, $96,430. After cost-of-living, the gap is 28.2% — not 45.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+45.5%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+28.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Registered Nurses

Median
$140,270
p25
$122,440
p75
$173,170
p10
$101,260
p90
$213,320
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-86%
See full breakdown for California

Pennsylvania

Registered Nurses

Median
$96,430
p25
$80,610
p75
$104,730
p10
$70,800
p90
$117,900
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.6
Hiring velocity (180d)
-66%
See full breakdown for Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.