Salary distribution
Where California registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $119,710 and $172,200, with a median of $140,330.
Registered Nurses in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 18 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $98,249. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 10 | $95,399 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $97,760 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $169,998 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adex Medical Staffing LLC | Professional Registered Nurse | 2 | $97,739 |
| Adex Medical Staffing | Registered Nurse, Emergency Resource | 2 | $94,598 |
| Light Beam Hospice Inc. | Quality Assurance Registered Nurse | 2 | $97,760 |
| Children's Hospital Los Angeles | Registered Nurse II | 1 | $115,253 |
| Sun Haven Care Inc | Registered Nurse | 1 | $72,134 |
| Westways Staffing Services, Inc. | ICU Nurse | 1 | $95,160 |
| Last Frontier Healthcare District | Registered Nurse II “ Emergency Room | 1 | $130,852 |
| BH-SD Opco, LLC | Psychiatric Registered Nurse | 1 | $98,738 |
| Nurses and Caregivers | Registered Nurses | 1 | $124,072 |
| Prime Healthcare Services “ Montclair, LLC | Clinical Supervisor | 1 | $94,598 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Registered Nurse II at Children's Hospital Los Angeles$115,253Los AngelesDecided Dec 26, 2025I-203-25352-494570
- Professional Registered Nurse at Adex Medical Staffing LLC$99,840BanningDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-345696
- Registered Nurse at Sun Haven Care Inc$72,134FullertonWage Level IDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-064805
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Resource at Adex Medical Staffing$94,598BANNINGWage Level IDecided Jun 9, 2025I-201-25153-042409
- Registered Nurse, Emergency Resource at Adex Medical Staffing$94,598BANNINGWage Level IDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-986201
- ICU Nurse at Westways Staffing Services, Inc.$95,160CoronaWage Level IDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-924808
- Registered Nurse II “ Emergency Room at Last Frontier Healthcare District$130,852AlturasWage Level IIDecided Apr 9, 2025I-200-25092-825321
- Psychiatric Registered Nurse at BH-SD Opco, LLC$98,738La MesaWage Level IDecided Apr 8, 2025I-200-25091-820208
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Registered Nurses pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 18 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $115,253.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Light Beam Hospice Inc. | 11 | $115,253 |
| Professional services | Adex Medical Staffing LLC | 6 | $95,399 |
| Government and public sector | Idaho Healthcare Institute | 1 | $98,738 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$208,940
- San Francisco$188,020
- Sacramento$169,210
- Los Angeles$133,440
- San Diego$133,090
- Riverside$130,160
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in California is $140,330.
- How does California compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The California median is +48.5% versus the BLS national figure of $94,511.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $100,120 and the 90th-percentile at $208,880, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.