Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $70.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in San Diego, CA runs $70.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,929 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $63.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,161 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the registered nurse hourly pay has reached a substantial median of $70.64, significantly surpassing the national median of $49.39. This competitive hourly rate offers robust earning potential for both full-time and part-time registered nurses working in various settings, including hospital floors, intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For nurses opting for part-time schedules, such as three days a week, this rate translates to considerable income stability, while per-diem opportunities reflect flexibility for those needing variable hours. Entry-level nurses earn around $51.89 per hour, while experienced top earners can take home as much as $88.71 per hour, highlighting the growth opportunities within the profession. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.89 | $415.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.00 | $519.98 |
| Median (P50) | $70.64 | $565.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.03 | $688.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.71 | $709.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $70.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.64/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $146,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,770. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,825.68 | $12,245 | $146,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,695.41 | $7,347 | $88,161 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,130.27 | $4,898 | $58,774 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (San Diego) | $70.64 |
| 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 Diego, CA earn a median of $146,929 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.02% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 3.50% above the California state average of $141,960.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.64/hr = $88,161/year (purchasing power: $78,795).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,935/year (purchasing power: $131,325).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in San Diego grew 32.8% from $50.53/hr (2019) to $67.08/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.39/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 Diego 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 Diego
Exploring the financial dynamics for part-time nurses reveals that those working three days a week (24 hours) can still achieve substantial annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem registered nurse pay in San Diego typically falls between $50 and $80 per hour, allowing flexibility in shifts and schedules. Additionally, travel nursing has gained popularity post-COVID, with contracts offering between $2,000 and $4,500 weekly, and crisis-rate positions can command even higher rates of $5,000 to $8,000 in specific high-demand areas. Hourly wages can also vary depending on the type of employer; for instance, hospital systems, surgical specialties, and home health agencies often provide different compensation structures, including benefits which can affect overall earnings. Registered nurses frequently face a trade-off between hourly rates and benefits—accepting lower pay for better health insurance, or opting for higher pay without any benefits. For those negotiating salary, it is vital to research specific rates for similar specialties in the area and clearly articulate the value of additional certifications and experience, particularly in a high-cost location like San Diego.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 San Diego. 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