Registered Nurses Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $178,900 +91.1% vs national
Median hourly $86.01
10th percentile $97,560
90th percentile $203,410
Employed locally 1,610
National median $93,600

Compare Registered Nurses salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Santa Cruz, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Registered Nurses
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $97,560
    25th
    $121,910
    50th (median)
    $178,900
    75th
    $203,280
    90th
    $203,410

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Registered Nurses salary vs area income 164% Median Registered Nurses salary is 64% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,020
    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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $188,020
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $172,390
    Modesto, CA $169,460
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $169,210

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $57,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Registered Nurses in Santa Cruz, CA is $86.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $101.38 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Registered Nurses salaries?

    The median Registered Nurses salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 91.1% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn around $97,560 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $121,910.