Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in San Clemente, CA: $67.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in San Clemente, CA runs $67.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,116 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against San Clemente's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,665 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the registered nurse hourly pay in San Clemente is projected to hit $67.84, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49.39. This competitive hourly rate is particularly beneficial for part-time nurses working in prevalent settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health care, allowing them to earn a respectable income even with a typical three-day workweek. For entry-level positions, hourly wages begin around $45.90, while seasoned professionals can expect to make as much as $97.86 per hour. These figures reflect a growing demand for registered nursing specialists in San Clemente, where the costs of living and quality healthcare environments drive the local wage scale higher compared to national standards.
About the San Clemente 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) | $45.90 | $367.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.47 | $451.74 |
| Median (P50) | $67.84 | $542.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.94 | $639.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.86 | $782.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Clemente
Based on $67.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.84/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Clemente, CA can expect to earn approximately $141,109 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,409. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Clemente.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Clemente
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,713.63 | $11,759 | $141,109 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,628.18 | $7,055 | $84,665 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.45 | $4,704 | $56,443 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (San Clemente) | $67.84 |
| 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 San Clemente, CA earn a median of $141,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.37% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.60% below the California state average of $141,968.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.84/hr = $84,665/year (purchasing power: $74,859).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,109/year (purchasing power: $124,765).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in San Clemente grew 33.1% from $48.41/hr (2019) to $64.42/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.44/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 San Clemente 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 San Clemente
Assessing the part-time earning potential for registered nurses in San Clemente, working just 24 hours a week could result in an annual income of approximately $84,000, which could be quite attractive compared to many other professions. Per-diem registered nurse pay in San Clemente typically ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, allowing for flexible work schedules and often benefiting from higher rates in critical specialties like ICU. Additionally, travel nursing contracts, particularly for crisis roles during shortages, can command pay that varies significantly, with weekly earnings that can surpass $5,000. Hourly rates do differ based on the type of employer—hospitals, outpatient facilities, and home health agencies can offer varying benefits and pay structures. Some nurses opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for robust health insurance packages, making negotiations key. For those considering hourly work, understanding the specific benefits offered by different employers in San Clemente can greatly influence earning potential and job satisfaction.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in San Clemente in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in San Clemente?
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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 San Clemente. 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 San Clemente 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