California RN Salary
The median California Registered Nurse salary is $81,927 as of 2023. The national pay ranges from the highest 10% of Registered Nurses making $148,035 and the lowest 10% making $15,297. Our salary data for RNs is consolidated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and ZipRecruiter salary data.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, assess health conditions, and collaborate with healthcare teams to develop and implement care plans. They administer medications, perform diagnostic tests, monitor patient progress, and educate patients and their families about health conditions. RNs also assist with procedures, advocate for patient needs, and ensure that healthcare standards and safety protocols are followed.
How Much Do RNs in California Make Per Hour?
The median national wage for Registered Nurses is $39 per hour in the US according to ZipRecruiter salary data.
What does a Registered Nurse do?
Registered nurses (RNs) are typically the first healthcare professionals patients encounter. They perform initial assessments, track vital signs, and regularly evaluate patients' conditions during their care. RNs are responsible for administering medications and treatments, offering patient education, and providing ongoing support to ensure comfort throughout the patient's stay.
In addition to clinical care, RNs manage various administrative tasks such as maintaining patient records, adhering to care plans, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and safety standards. They also serve as patient advocates, ensuring that their patients' needs and preferences are respected throughout their treatment.
Want to learn more about the duties of Registered Nurses? Read our full article here.
Highest paying nursing agencies for RNs
Top paying cities for RNs
According to ZipRecruiter data
| City | Average Annual Salary |
| Corcoran | $139k |
| Avenal | $127k |
| Portola Valley | $124k |
| Soledad | $120k |
| San Mateo County | $118k |
| Redwood City | $117k |
| Marin County | $116k |
| Corte Madera | $114k |
| Ione | $113k |
How to increase your salary as a Registered Nurse
1. Pursue Advanced Education and Certifications
- Obtain a BSN or MSN: Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) often earn higher salaries. Some employers may offer pay increases for additional degrees and cover some of the education costs.
- Specialize and Get Certified: Gaining certifications in specialized areas like critical care (CCRN), wound care (CWCN), or becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) can significantly boost your earning potential. California rewards specialized skills with higher pay.
2. Gain Experience
- Accumulate More Years of Experience: Many healthcare facilities have pay scales that increase based on your experience level. With several years of experience, you can negotiate a higher salary or apply for senior nursing positions.
- Shift to High-Demand Specialties: Some specialties, such as ICU, operating room, or neonatal nursing, offer higher salaries due to their demanding nature.
3. Take on Leadership or Administrative Roles
- Become a Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager: Leadership positions such as charge nurse, nurse manager, or director of nursing often come with salary increases due to their higher responsibility levels.
- Enter Nursing Administration: RNs can also pursue roles in nursing administration, overseeing budgets, staff, and policy implementation, which often command higher pay.
4. Work Overtime, Shifts, or in High-Demand Locations
- Work Overtime or Night Shifts: Many hospitals in California offer shift differentials, paying more for night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Overtime work also leads to a significant increase in take-home pay.
- Travel Nursing: California often has a high demand for travel nurses, and many agencies offer attractive compensation packages, including housing stipends and bonuses.
- Relocate to High-Paying Areas: RNs in urban centers like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Silicon Valley tend to earn higher salaries compared to rural areas due to the cost of living and demand.
5. Negotiate Your Salary
- Research and Leverage Salary Data: Use resources like the California Board of Registered Nursing, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and professional nursing associations to research average salaries for your role and location. You can leverage this data when negotiating salary at a new job or asking for a raise.
- Negotiate a Signing Bonus or Pay Raise: Hospitals and facilities facing nursing shortages may offer signing bonuses or higher starting salaries. Always negotiate when receiving a new job offer.
6. Work for Magnet Hospitals or Unionized Facilities
- Seek Employment at Magnet Hospitals: Magnet hospitals, recognized for nursing excellence, often provide competitive pay to attract high-quality nurses.
- Join a Union: In California, unionized nurses often earn higher wages, have better benefits, and enjoy job protection. Organizations like the California Nurses Association (CNA) negotiate on behalf of RNs for better salaries and working conditions.