RN Salary in California: $140,270 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in California earn a median of $140,270 per year — $67.44 an hour — $42,720 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #1 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of California RNs earn between $101,260 and $213,320. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
California RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of California RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare California With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put California side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | California | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $140,270 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $67.44/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $101,260 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $173,170 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $213,320 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 338,940 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
California has 336 board-approved nursing programs across 293 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in California?
RNs in California earn a median of $140,270 per year — $67.44 per hour — $42,720 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks California #1 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in California?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in California, the 10th percentile is $101,260 and the 25th percentile is $122,440. Most RNs move toward the $140,270 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in California earn?
The top 10% of RNs in California earn above $213,320 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in California?
338,940 registered nurses are employed in California per the BLS May 2025 estimates.