LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA · Generated June 3, 2026
Registered Nurses Salary in San Diego, CA $139,520/yr
$139,520
Mean: $145,060
~$108,826 est. take-home
$67.08
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$128,380
Median
$139,520
75th %
$169,920
Median is in the 27th percentile of the typical range
Registered Nurses in other CA cities
Compare the same occupation across cities in CA.
About Registered Nurses salaries in San Diego, CA
Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA earn a median of $139,520 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $145,060, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most registered nurses in this area earn between $128,380 and $169,920. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $67.08 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
About 193,100 nursing openings per year through 2034 — mostly from retirements and career changers leaving the field, not just new positions. The aging population keeps demand steady, but burnout is real: many hospitals are raising wages and cutting mandatory overtime to keep staff.
Worth knowing: Travel nursing rates have come down from pandemic highs, but sign-on bonuses of $10K–$20K are still common in rural and underserved areas. Night shift differentials add 10–15% to base pay.
Registered Nurses Jobs in San Diego, CA
Median: $139,520/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a registered nurses in San Diego?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $139,520. The average (mean) is $145,060, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a registered nurses make per hour in San Diego?▾
About $67.08/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for registered nurses in San Diego?▾
The middle 50% earn between $128,380 and $169,920. Below $128,380 is typically entry-level; above $169,920 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $139,520 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $139,520 | $108,826 |
| Monthly | $11,627 | $9,069 |
| Biweekly | $5,366 | $4,186 |
| Weekly | $2,683 | $2,093 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $67.08 | $52.32 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $76.66 | $59.79 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $89.44 | $69.76 |
| Daily (8h) | $537 | $419 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Registered Nurses: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for registered nurses, based on BLS median salary data.
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