Registered Nurse Salary in Buena Park, CA: $143,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Buena Park, CA earns a median $143,701/year (≈ $69.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $127,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Buena Park, California can expect to see a median annual salary of $143,701, significantly surpassing the national median of $102,730. The local salary range reflects varied experiences and responsibilities, ranging from $101,601 at the 10th percentile to a top end of $198,564 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which account for local regional cost adjustments. Additionally, the competitive nature of the local job market is bolstered by the ability of nurses to earn higher wages through night and weekend shifts, leading to effective compensation that often exceeds standard pay scales. With a small yet dedicated workforce of 20 registered nurses, Buena Park shows strong demand for experienced professionals in this field.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($137,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,601 | $48.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,292 | $56.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,701 | $69.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,772 | $78.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,564 | $95.46 |
Median Salary Position
39.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,963 (2026 est.). At $143,701, the local median is 39.88% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $143,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,857 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +39.88% more |
Registered Nurses in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $143,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.88% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.30% above the California state average of $141,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $143,701 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,057 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,534
2025 BLS Actual
$136,455
2026 Current Est.
$143,701
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,455 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,331 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $102,534 (2019) to $136,455 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,331 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,797 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $101,601 – $117,292 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,292 – $143,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,701 – $163,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,772 – $198,564 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Buena Park
The cost of living in Buena Park, with an index of 113.1, indicates that while salaries may be attractive, the purchasing power for residents is impacted by higher-than-average living expenses. This can shape decisions for nurses considering employment in various sectors such as acute care hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics. Among local employers, those within hospital systems that provide critical care, like ICU or emergency departments, tend to offer the highest salaries, often enhanced by shift differentials—where nights can yield an additional $3 to $7 per hour. Registered nurses can also increase their earnings through specialty certifications and taking on charge nurse roles, which enhance their marketability within this competitive landscape. Navigating opportunities at magnet-status hospitals or strategic travel nursing positions can further maximize their potential in the Buena Park job market.
More salary data for Buena Park, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $136,455 for registered nursesin the Buena Park metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park 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