Registered Nurses in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in California earned a median of $140,330 in 2024, roughly 48% above the national median of $94,511. That is one of the larger state-level premiums we see across this occupation. The mean came in at $148,330, pulled up by a smaller group of high earners at the top of the scale.
The spread is wide. A nurse near the bottom of the distribution earned around $100,120, while one near the top earned $208,880. Top earners make about twice what entry-level peers make. That gap reflects real differences in experience, specialty, and setting rather than a uniform wage floor across the state.
California's cost-of-living index sits at 114.8, meaning prices run about 15% above the national average. Adjust for that, and the nominal $45,800 premium over the US median narrows to something closer to $26,000 in real purchasing terms. The state still leads, but by less than the headline number suggests.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% nationally between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. The California figure reflects that broader pattern. With 326,720 nurses currently employed in the state, even modest growth translates to a large number of openings in absolute terms.
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 $122,440 and $173,170, with a median of $140,270.
Registered Nurses in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 22 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $99,289. 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 | 13 | $98,738 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $106,506 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $171,205 |
| 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 | Registered Nurse, Emergency Resource | 2 | $94,598 |
| Adex Medical Staffing LLC | Professional Registered Nurse | 2 | $97,739 |
| BH-SD Opco, LLC | Psychiatric Registered Nurse | 2 | $102,409 |
| Idaho Healthcare Institute | Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) | 2 | $102,409 |
| Light Beam Hospice Inc. | Quality Assurance Registered Nurse | 2 | $97,760 |
| Alameda Health System | Clinical IV Registered Nurse | 1 | $188,781 |
| Children's Hospital Los Angeles | Registered Nurse II | 1 | $115,253 |
| Last Frontier Healthcare District | Registered Nurse II “ Emergency Room | 1 | $130,852 |
| LIFEwest Northern California | Registered Nurse | 1 | $171,205 |
| Nurses and Caregivers | Registered Nurses | 1 | $124,072 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Clinical Nursing Supervisor (RN) - Wound Care at Prime Healthcare Paradise Valley, LLC$122,637National CityWage Level IIDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-716059
- Psychiatric Registered Nurse at BH-SD Opco, LLC$106,080La MesaWage Level IDecided Feb 13, 2026I-200-26037-625973
- Registered Nurse at LIFEwest Northern California$171,205CotatiWage Level IIIDecided Feb 5, 2026I-203-26029-604533
- Psychiatric Registered Nurse (Educational Preceptor) at Idaho Healthcare Institute$106,080San DiegoWage Level IDecided Jan 26, 2026I-200-26019-570478
- Registered Nurse II at Children's Hospital Los Angeles$115,253Los AngelesWage Level IIDecided Dec 26, 2025I-203-25352-494570
- Professional Registered Nurse at Adex Medical Staffing LLC$99,840BanningWage Level IDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-345696
- Professional Registered Nurse at Adex Medical Staffing LLC$95,638BanningWage Level IDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25167-098549
- Registered Nurse at Sun Haven Care Inc$72,134FullertonWage Level IDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-064805
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.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
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 specialties in California
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 9 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse at a median of $94,598.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Adex Medical Staffing | 5 | $94,598 |
| Psychiatric Registered Nurse | BH-SD Opco, LLC | 4 | $102,409 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 22 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $118,945.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | BH-SD Opco, LLC | 14 | $118,945 |
| Professional services | Adex Medical Staffing | 6 | $95,399 |
| Government and public sector | Idaho Healthcare Institute | 2 | $102,409 |
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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Registered Nurses
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$216,740
- San Francisco$186,610
- Sacramento$171,460
- San Diego$139,520
- Los Angeles$135,560
- Riverside$133,940
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
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 $140,270.
- How does California compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The California median is +42.7% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $101,260 and the 90th-percentile at $213,320, 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.