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Registered Nurses salary in California

Median: $140,270 / year · $67.44 / hr · 2025

44% above the U.S. average

Mean
$150,280
$72.25 / hr
Median hourly
$67.44 / hr
10th–90th percentile
$101,260 – $213,320
U.S. median
$97,550
Wage distribution (annual)
  • 10th percentile$101,260
  • Median$140,270
  • Mean$150,280
  • 90th percentile$213,320

U.S. median $97,550

Take-home estimate

$97,153

On a $140,270 OEWS median, single filer (2024). Not tax advice.

  • Federal income tax$23,203 (16.5%)
  • State income tax$9,183 (6.5%)
  • Social Security$8,697 (6.2%)
  • Medicare$2,034 (1.5%)
  • Net take-home$97,153 (69.3%)
  • Share of $140,270 gross (single filer). Not tax advice.

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Living-cost context

$126,689

U.S.-average purchasing power of this median. California RPP is 110.7 (11% above the U.S. average).

California cost of living →

Related occupations in California

ZIP codes in California

All California ZIP codes →

Highest-paying states for Registered Nurses

California ranks #1 of 51 states and DC with a published OEWS median ($140,270).

Registered Nurses median salary by state
RankStateMedian
#1 Highest California$140,270
#2Hawaii$136,320
#3Oregon$129,010
#4Washington$124,200
#5Alaska$109,480
#6New York$109,440
#7New Jersey$106,500
#8Massachusetts$104,550
#9Nevada$103,670
#10Connecticut$102,740
#11District of Columbia$102,540
#12Minnesota$101,510
#13Rhode Island$100,640
#14Colorado$100,260
#15Maryland$99,790
#16New Hampshire$99,700
#17Delaware$99,520
#18Arizona$99,500
#19Vermont$97,460
#20Pennsylvania$96,430
#21Illinois$95,990
#22Texas$95,970
#23Wisconsin$95,530
#24New Mexico$94,340
#25Michigan$94,300
#26Virginia$93,600
#27Georgia$93,550
#28Idaho$92,460
#29Maine$86,990
#30Montana$85,280
#31Nebraska$84,730
#32Utah$84,600
#33North Carolina$84,350
#34Florida$84,190
#35Wyoming$83,760
#36Indiana$83,500
#37Oklahoma$82,920
#38Ohio$82,510
#39South Carolina$82,360
#40Missouri$81,780
#41Tennessee$81,500
#42Kentucky$81,040
#43North Dakota$80,730
#44Louisiana$80,230
#45West Virginia$80,130
#46Kansas$79,320
#47Arkansas$78,940
#48Iowa$78,630
#49South Dakota$78,060
#50Mississippi$77,090
#51 Lowest Alabama$77,080

Frequently asked questions

What is the median registered nurses salary in California?
The OEWS median is $140,270 per year ($67.44 / hr) (2025), 44% above the U.S. average.
How much does a registered nurses make per hour in California?
The OEWS hourly median is $67.44 / hr.
Is this take-home pay?
No. OEWS is pre-tax. A single-filer estimate on this median is about $97,153 after federal, state, and FICA. Use the take-home calculator to change the gross.
How does registered nurses pay compare nationally?
The California median is 44% above the U.S. average versus the U.S. OEWS median of $97,550.
Which states pay registered nursess the most?
California has the highest published OEWS median at $140,270. California ranks #1 of 51.
What is that salary worth after California living costs?
BEA all-items RPP is 110.7 (U.S. = 100), 11% above the U.S. average. $140,270 in California has about the same purchasing power as $126,689 at U.S. average prices.