Registered Nurse Salary Guide: California
Average Registered Nurse Salary
Average Registered Nurse Salary
$54.44/hour
The average salary for a Registered Nurse in California is $54.44 per hour. This is 32% higher than the US average of $37.24.
Estimate based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Registered Nurse salaries in California compared to National Averages
Registered Nurse salaries in California compared to National Averages
$54.44/hour
California
32% higher than the US average.
$37.24/hour
United States
What cities in California pay the most for Registered Nurses?
What cities in California pay the most for Registered Nurses?
| City | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Gatos, California | $68 | $95 |
| Mountain View, California | $68 | $95 |
| Palo Alto, California | $68 | $95 |
| San Jose, California | $68 | $95 |
| Santa Clara, California | $68 | $95 |
| Campbell, California | $68 | $95 |
| Stanford, California | $68 | $95 |
| Burbank, California | $68 | $95 |
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in California?
What type of Registered Nurses make the most money in California?
| Specialty | Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educator | $93 | $101 |
| Med Surg / Telemetry | $81 | $94 |
| Behavioral Health | $80 | $120 |
| Med Surg | $80 | $94 |
| Intermediate Care | $80 | $94 |
| NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care | $79 | $92 |
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in California compare to nearby states?
How does the pay for Registered Nurses in California compare to nearby states?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $45 | $59 |
| Nevada | $42 | $57 |
| Washington | $41 | $58 |
| Arizona | $38 | $49 |
| Colorado | $37 | $49 |
| New Mexico | $35 | $46 |
| Idaho | $33 | $45 |
| Montana | $33 | $44 |
| Utah | $33 | $43 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in California?
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Registered Nurse jobs in California?
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Tenet North Cal | $66 | $66 |
| Tenet Desert | $63 | $63 |
| Adventist Health | $62 | $62 |
| Community Medical Centers | $60 | $81 |
Last updated on February 19, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
View job details for Director Registered Nurse (RN) - Pediatrics
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Director Registered Nurse (RN) - Pediatrics
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$237K-274K/year
approximately $113-132/hrPosted 12 days ago
View job details for Registered Nurse (RN) - Director ICU - Intensive Care Unit
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View job details for Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, ICU - Intensive Care Unit
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Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Adventist Health
- San Luis Obispo, CA
$146K-219K/year
View job details for Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, ICU - Intensive Care Unit
Staff Position
Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, ICU - Intensive Care Unit
- Adventist Health
- Templeton, CA
$146K-219K/year
View job details for Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, Labor and Delivery
Staff Position
Registered Nurse (RN) - Manager, Labor and Delivery
- Adventist Health
- San Luis Obispo, CA
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