Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $68.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Stockton, CA runs $68.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,726 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,033 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the projected median hourly pay for registered nurses is $68.14, significantly higher than the national median of $49.39. This robust hourly wage creates ample opportunities for both full-time and part-time nurses, particularly in high-demand settings like hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For part-time nursing roles that typically involve three 12-hour shifts per week, earnings can amount to a comfortable income that aligns with the cost of living in the area. The hourly pay range for registered nurses in Stockton varies from an entry-level rate of $51.33 to a solid $107.69 for experienced professionals. Such competitive wages, based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the strong demand for nursing talent in the city.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.33 | $410.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.09 | $496.73 |
| Median (P50) | $68.14 | $545.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.56 | $676.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.69 | $861.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $68.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.14/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $141,722 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,763. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,725.42 | $11,810 | $141,722 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,635.25 | $7,086 | $85,033 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,090.17 | $4,724 | $56,689 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Stockton) | $68.14 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $141,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.96% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.10% below the California state average of $141,868.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.14/hr = $85,033/year (purchasing power: $80,915).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,722/year (purchasing power: $134,859).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Stockton grew 17.3% from $55.18/hr (2019) to $64.70/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.75/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Part-time registered nurses working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to earn around $82,402 annually, reflecting a vital income that supports lifestyle choices without requiring full-time commitments. Meanwhile, per diem registered nurse pay in Stockton ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, with some specialized contract positions, such as those for travel nurses, yielding weekly earnings between $2,000 and $8,000 depending on demand and location. Hourly rates can differ depending on the employer type; for instance, hospital systems may offer more stable positions that include benefits, while agencies might provide flexibility in scheduling but at the cost of job security. Registered nurses in Stockton should consider these trade-offs when evaluating job offers. An effective negotiation strategy for hourly rates involves demonstrating specialized skills or certifications, particularly in magnet-status hospitals, where the demand for BSN-prepared nurses with advanced training is favored.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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