Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Chico, CA: $64.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Chico, CA runs $64.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Chico's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,473 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to be $64.48 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $49.39. This competitive pay enables part-time registered nurses working three days a week to earn a substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. For instance, working 24 hours each week at the median rate results in impressive earnings that can support those choosing between different work settings, such as hospitals, ICU units, emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly pay range for RNs in Chico varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $52.35 and experienced professionals reaching up to $81.09, highlighting the potential financial rewards in various roles.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.35 | $418.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63.88 | $511.05 |
| Median (P50) | $64.48 | $515.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.09 | $648.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.09 | $648.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chico
Based on $64.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.48/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chico, CA can expect to earn approximately $134,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,378. With a cost-of-living index of 101.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chico.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chico
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,579.25 | $11,177 | $134,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,547.55 | $6,706 | $80,473 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,031.70 | $4,471 | $53,648 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Chico) | $64.48 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Chico, CA earn a median of $134,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.56% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 5.50% below the California state average of $141,929.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.48/hr = $80,473/year (purchasing power: $79,521).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,121/year (purchasing power: $132,535).
CoL index: 101.197 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+72.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Chico grew 55.1% from $39.48/hr (2019) to $61.23/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Chico
Beyond the appealing hourly wage, part-time nurses in Chico can expect a varied earning potential compared to full-time colleagues. For those working 24 hours a week, the financial annual take-home may differ significantly, revealing why many nurses opt for per diem or agency work. Per diem registered nurse pay in Chico typically ranges from $50 to $80 an hour, depending on the specialty, making it an attractive option for many. Furthermore, travel nurse contracts can yield earnings of $2,000 to $4,500 per week, with crisis response positions even surpassing that. The remuneration landscape further varies by employer type, including hospital systems, surgical centers, and home health services, where health benefits often factor into the hourly rate. Negotiating for higher pay is common in Chico, but many RNs must balance the trade-off between pay rates and benefits offered by employers. Those considering hourly roles should communicate clearly about their compensation expectations while being informed about the broader healthcare market trends.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Chico. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov