What the numbers say
With 21,460 Registered Nurses employed in the San Jose metro, this is one of the larger nursing markets in California. The 2024 median annual wage was $208,940, about 49% above the California median of $140,330 and more than double the national median of $94,511.
The average wage tells an unusual story here. At $189,880, it sits below the median, which means the upper half of earners is relatively compressed rather than pulled upward by a small group of very high earners. Most nurses in the metro cluster in a tight band near the top of the national range.
That compression shows up clearly in the spread. The 10th percentile earned $126,150, and the 90th percentile earned $226,240, a difference of about $100,000 across the full range. The 75th percentile sits at $219,460, very close to the 90th, which means the top quarter of earners are packed into a narrow $7,000 band. In most metros, the distance from the 75th to the 90th is far wider. Here, reaching senior-level wages does not require reaching the very top of the distribution.
The California context matters. The state already pays nurses well above the national figure, but San Jose outpaces even that by a wide margin. A nurse earning the California median would need a 49% raise to match what the typical San Jose nurse earned in 2024.
Salary distribution
Where San Jose registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $165,050 and $223,510, with a median of $216,740.
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 Jose metro compares to other major California metro areas for registered nurses.
- San Francisco$186,610
- Sacramento$171,460
- San Diego$139,520
- Los Angeles$135,560
- Riverside$133,940
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in San Jose, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the San Jose metropolitan area is $216,740.
- Does San Jose pay more than the California state average for Registered Nurses?
- The San Jose metro median is +54.5% versus the California state median of $140,270.
- How does San Jose compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The San Jose metro median is +120.4% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in San Jose?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $124,140 and the 90th-percentile at $235,190 for the San Jose 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 Jose 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.