What the numbers say
About 27,660 registered nurses worked in the San Diego metro in 2024, making it one of the larger nursing labor markets in the country. The median annual wage was $133,090, which sits 41% above the national median of $94,511. That gap is large by any measure.
San Diego does, however, pay below the California state median of $140,330 by roughly $7,200, or about 5%. That is a real difference. Nurses considering San Diego over other California metros should factor it in, especially given the city's high housing costs relative to much of the state.
The spread from bottom to top is notable. The 10th-percentile wage was $103,160 and the 90th percentile reached $174,820. Top earners in San Diego make about 1.7 times what those at the entry-level end of the range make. A gap that wide usually reflects differences in specialty, setting, and years of experience. ICU and surgical nurses, for instance, tend to cluster toward the upper end; newer graduates in general medical units toward the lower.
The mean annual wage of $139,350 runs about $6,260 above the median. A higher mean than median tells us that a portion of nurses in the metro earn enough to pull the average above the midpoint, though the gap here is not extreme. The distribution is reasonably balanced.
Salary distribution
Where San Diego registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $128,380 and $169,920, with a median of $139,520.
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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How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for registered nurses.
- San Jose$216,740
- San Francisco$186,610
- Sacramento$171,460
- Los Angeles$135,560
- Riverside$133,940
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the San Diego metropolitan area is $139,520.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Registered Nurses?
- The San Diego metro median is -0.5% versus the California state median of $140,270.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The San Diego metro median is +41.9% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $102,480 and the 90th-percentile at $175,210 for the San Diego 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 San Diego 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.