California pays registered nurses more than any other state — its $140,330 median leads all 51 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $100,120 to $208,880 — a $108,760 spread, 57% wider than the national $69,290 range.
California employs roughly 10.0% of all registered nurses in the country (326,720 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $100,120 | $48.14 |
| 25th percentile | $119,710 | $57.55 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $140,330 | $67.47 |
| 75th percentile | $172,200 | $82.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $208,880 | $100.42 |
| Mean (average) | $148,330 | $71.31 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $140,330 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | -3% |
| Oregon | $123,990 | -12% |
| Washington | $112,180 | -20% |
| Alaska | $110,690 | -21% |
| New York | $105,600 | -25% |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 | -25% |
| New Jersey | $102,730 | -27% |
| Nevada | $101,990 | -27% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineers | $140,360 | 23,650 |
| Information Security Analysts | $140,660 | 15,800 |
| Computer Network Architects | $138,350 | 19,800 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $143,860 | 9,330 |
| Data Scientists | $136,800 | 36,850 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $136,500 | 68,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurses salary in California?
The mean registered nurses salary in California is $148,330 per year. The median (middle) salary is $140,330 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Registered Nurses in California?
Entry-level registered nursess (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $100,120 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $119,710 per year.
What is the highest Registered Nurses salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $208,880 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $172,200 per year.
How does the California Registered Nurses salary compare to the national average?
The median registered nurses salary in California is $140,330, which is +50% above national average of $93,600.