Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in San Jose, CA: $109.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in San Jose, CA runs $109.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $228,249 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against San Jose's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.4, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $99.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $136,947 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses are significantly compensated in San Jose, CA, with a median hourly rate of $109.73, which far exceeds the national average of $49.39. This robust pay scale reflects the high demand for nursing professionals in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health environments. The hourly wage spans from $62.85 at the lower end to $119.07 at the top, catering to both entry-level nurses and those with specialized experience. Such a competitive wage structure not only benefits full-time positions but also creates favorable conditions for part-time and per-diem registered nurses, who typically work in critical areas like ICUs, emergency departments, and surgical units. For professionals seeking flexible work arrangements, the hourly compensation in San Jose presents an attractive opportunity, allowing them to thrive in the high-cost living environment.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.85 | $502.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83.56 | $668.51 |
| Median (P50) | $109.73 | $877.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113.17 | $905.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119.07 | $952.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Jose
Based on $109.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $109.73/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Jose, CA can expect to earn approximately $228,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $131,680. With a cost-of-living index of 110.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Jose.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Jose
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,389.32 | $19,020 | $228,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,633.59 | $11,412 | $136,947 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,755.73 | $7,608 | $91,298 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (San Jose) | $109.73 |
| 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 Jose, CA earn a median of $228,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 122.18% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 60.90% above the California state average of $141,858.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $109.73/hr = $136,947/year (purchasing power: $124,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $228,245/year (purchasing power: $206,700).
CoL index: 110.423 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$70.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$104.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$109.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $74.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $76.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $78.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $86.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $100.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $104.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in San Jose grew 48.1% from $70.37/hr (2019) to $104.20/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $115.56/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 Jose 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 Jose
In the realm of part-time nursing, a registered nurse working three days a week can earn substantial income while maintaining a work-life balance. Annual earnings for a part-time RN working 24 hours weekly would result in approximately $85,900, compared to those fully dedicated to nursing. For per diem registered nurse opportunities in San Jose, pay can range from $50 to $80 per hour, depending on the specialty and the urgency of the role. Travel nurses can command even higher rates, pulling in contracts that vary from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, with crisis rates for ICU positions reaching upwards of $8,000 in urgent care scenarios. While hospitals and acute care settings typically offer higher salaries, they often come with benefits such as health insurance—an important consideration for many RNs. Nurses may need to weigh the benefits of steady employment against the flexibility and higher hourly pay offered by travel and agency positions. Engaging in thoughtful negotiation over hourly rates can yield improved financial outcomes tailored to individual circumstances in the San Jose market.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in San Jose in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in San Jose?
Are registered nurses in San Jose paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in San Jose?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in San Jose?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Jose. 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