Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $66.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Lake Forest, CA runs $66.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,318 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,587 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Lake Forest, CA, command a competitive hourly pay of $66.98, significantly higher than the national median of $49.39. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this rate can translate into a substantial income depending on the number of hours worked in various settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health care. The hourly wage range in Lake Forest also reflects the diverse stages of a nursing career, starting at $49.10 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $95.07 for top earners. This means that nurses working in high-acuity environments, such as intensive care units and emergency departments, may find themselves at the higher end of the scale, allowing for a rewarding career both financially and professionally.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($137,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.10 | $392.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.72 | $437.75 |
| Median (P50) | $66.98 | $535.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.85 | $622.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95.07 | $760.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $66.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.98/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $139,312 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,373. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,679.09 | $11,609 | $139,312 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,607.45 | $6,966 | $83,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,071.63 | $4,644 | $55,725 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Lake Forest) | $66.98 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $139,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.62% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.80% below the California state average of $141,871.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.98/hr = $83,587/year (purchasing power: $73,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,312/year (purchasing power: $123,176).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Lake Forest grew 33.1% from $47.79/hr (2019) to $63.60/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.53/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
When evaluating the earning potential of part-time versus full-time positions, a registered nurse working 24 hours a week in Lake Forest, for example, would realize a comfortable income while enjoying flexibility. Per diem registered nurse pay in this market typically falls between $50 and $80 per hour, representing an attractive option for those seeking variability in their schedules. Additionally, travel nurses can secure contracts that pay from $2,000 to $4,500 a week, with crisis rates reaching as high as $8,000 in areas with significant staffing shortages. Different types of employers impact hourly rates as well; hospital systems and surgical specialty centers often provide better benefits even if hourly rates appear lower compared to agency or freelance work. RNs seeking to maximize earnings should focus on negotiating effectively, especially when considering offers that involve a trade-off between lower hourly rates and comprehensive health insurance benefits.
More salary data for Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Forest is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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