Registered Nurses Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $188,020 +100.9% vs national
Median hourly $90.40
10th percentile $120,210
90th percentile $221,890
Employed locally 40,750
National median $93,600

Compare Registered Nurses salary & buying power

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Registered Nurses
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San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $120,210
    25th
    $150,580
    50th (median)
    $188,020
    75th
    $212,190
    90th
    $221,890

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Registered Nurses salary vs area income 141% Median Registered Nurses salary is 41% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Registered Nurses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,940
    Vallejo, CA $192,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $178,900
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,390
    Modesto, CA $169,460
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $169,210

    Nearby metros — Registered Nurses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,940
    Vallejo, CA $192,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $178,900
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,390
    Modesto, CA $169,460
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $169,210

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $90,810
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,390
    Pharmacy Technicians $61,990
    Pharmacists $183,510
    Dental Hygienists $146,760
    Physicians, All Other $294,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Registered Nurses in San Francisco, CA is $90.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $107.58 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Registered Nurses salaries?

    The median Registered Nurses salary in San Francisco, CA is 100.9% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $120,210 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $150,580.