Irvine vs San Francisco: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)
Compare registered nurse salaries between Irvine, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Irvine, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $147,403 | $196,519▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $70.86 | $94.47▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,366 | $125,624▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $120,246 | $144,401▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $178,418 | $227,080▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $218,941 | $235,652▲ |
| Total Employed | 72 | 41,750▲ |
Verdict
San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Irvine.
The salary gap between Irvine and San Francisco is $49,116 (33.32%). San Francisco's median is +91.30% compared to the US national median of $102,730.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Irvine spans $116,575,San Francisco spans $110,028. Irvine has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($169,980 effective) pays 30.42% more than Irvine ($130,330 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Irvine if…
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose San Francisco if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($196,519/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($235,652)
- ✓Larger job market (41,750 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $169,980)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Irvine grew -13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.
Irvine, CA
$160,957 (2024) → $139,971 (2025)
San Francisco, CA
$141,640 (2019) → $186,610 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Irvine, CA
San Francisco, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays registered nurses more: Irvine or San Francisco?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov