What the numbers say
With about 107,000 Registered Nurses employed in the Los Angeles metro, this is one of the largest nursing markets in the country. The 2024 median annual wage was $133,440, about 41% above the national median of $94,511. That gap is wide by any measure.
One number worth noting: the Los Angeles median comes in below the California statewide median of $140,330 by roughly $6,900, or about 5%. That is a meaningful gap. It suggests that other California metros, likely those with a heavier concentration of hospital systems or higher-acuity facilities, are pulling the state figure up.
The spread between the bottom and top of the wage range is fairly tight relative to the scale of the market. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned around $99,530, while those at the 90th percentile reached $172,740. That puts top earners at roughly 1.7 times what bottom earners take home. The difference between the median and the average ($138,010) is modest, which tells us the upper end of the distribution is not dramatically outpacing the middle the way it often does in tech or finance roles.
For a workforce of more than 100,000 people, that compression likely reflects the influence of union contracts and standardized hospital pay scales across the region, though the JSON does not confirm that directly.
Salary distribution
Where Los Angeles registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $112,070 and $167,800, with a median of $135,560.
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.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the Los Angeles metro compares to other major California metro areas for registered nurses.
- San Jose$216,740
- San Francisco$186,610
- Sacramento$171,460
- San Diego$139,520
- Riverside$133,940
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the Los Angeles metropolitan area is $135,560.
- Does Los Angeles pay more than the California state average for Registered Nurses?
- The Los Angeles metro median is -3.4% versus the California state median of $140,270.
- How does Los Angeles compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Los Angeles metro median is +37.9% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Los Angeles?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $100,980 and the 90th-percentile at $174,200 for the Los Angeles metro area.
- 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. BLS metro estimates reflect the Los Angeles CBSA boundary 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.