Medical Surgical Nurse Salary Guide: California
Average Medical Surgical Nurse Salary
$66.17/hour
The average salary for a Medical Surgical Nurse in California is $66.17 per hour. This is 31% higher than the US average of $45.34.
Last updated on September 23, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Medical Surgical Nurse salaries in California compared to National Averages
$66.17/hour
California
31% higher than the US average.
$45.34/hour
United States
How does the pay for Med Surg Nurses in California compare to nearby states?
Colorado pays Medical Surgical Nurses the most, averaging $53 per hour, followed by Arizona ($44) and Michigan ($43). Colorado also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $59. For comparison, the California average for Medical Surgical Nurses is $66 per hour — Colorado pays 20% less.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $53 | $59 |
| Arizona | $44 | $45 |
| Michigan | $43 | $45 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Medical Surgical Nurse jobs in California?
Tenet Desert pays Medical Surgical Nurses the most, averaging $67 per hour, followed by Adventist Health ($62) and Community Medical Centers ($58). Tenet Desert also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $68. For comparison, the California average for Medical Surgical Nurses is $66 per hour — Tenet Desert pays 1% more.
| Average Hourly Salary | Max Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Tenet Desert | $67 | $68 |
| Adventist Health | $62 | $62 |
| Community Medical Centers | $58 | $58 |
Last updated on September 23, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.
Medical Surgical Nurse Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Medical Surgical Nurse Jobs
Charge Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
- Desert Regional Medical Center
- Palm Springs, CA
$51-82/hour
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