Registered Nurses Salary in San Diego, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Median annual salary
$133,090
+42.2% vs national
Median hourly
$63.99
10th percentile
$103,160
90th percentile
$174,820
Employed locally
27,660
National median
$93,600
Compare Registered Nurses salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Registered Nurses
inSan Diego, CA
vsSalary percentile breakdown
San Diego economic context
Unemployment rate
4.30%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$102,285
2023 • Census ACS
Registered Nurses salary vs area income
130%
Median Registered Nurses salary is 30% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in San Diego?
The median hourly wage for Registered Nurses in San Diego, CA is $63.99, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.24 or more per hour.
Is San Diego above or below average for Registered Nurses salaries?
The median Registered Nurses salary in San Diego, CA is 42.2% above the national median of $93,600. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Registered Nurses in San Diego?
Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $103,160 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,720.