Registered Nurse Salary in Ontario, CA: $142,954 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Ontario, CA earns a median $142,954/year (≈ $68.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $126,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ontario, CA, registered nurses can expect a median annual salary of $142,954 in 2026, a figure significantly above the national average of $102,730. The salary range for RNs here varies widely, starting at approximately $96,975 for the lowest earners and reaching as high as $204,049 for those at the 90th percentile. This generous compensation reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity. The earning potential can be further enhanced for those with specialty certifications such as CCRN and CEN, which often come with premium wages and added performance incentives. This competitive environment for registered nurse pay in Ontario, CA, highlights an opportunity for growth and professional development within the field.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($137,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,975 | $46.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,930 | $54.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,954 | $68.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,066 | $79.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,049 | $98.10 |
Median Salary Position
39.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,074 (2026 est.). At $142,954, the local median is 39.16% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ontario Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Ontario median: $142,954/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,960 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +39.16% more |
Registered Nurses in Ontario, CA earn a median of $142,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.16% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.70% above the California state average of $141,960.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,954 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,396 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,001
2025 BLS Actual
$135,746
2026 Current Est.
$142,954
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,606 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,746 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,954 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $102,001 (2019) to $135,746 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,544 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $96,975 – $113,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,930 – $142,954 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,954 – $166,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,066 – $204,049 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Ontario
With around 42 registered nurses currently employed in the area, Ontario presents a stable job market for healthcare professionals. The cost of living index is 113.1, indicating that while salaries are strong, the purchasing power may be influenced by higher living expenses. Major employers in the area include hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies, with acute care, ICU, and emergency department positions typically yielding the highest returns. Factors such as shift differentials—where night shifts may offer an additional $3-7 per hour and weekends another $3-5—explain the variation in compensation. RNs looking to maximize their earnings might consider obtaining specialty certifications or seeking roles in magnet-status hospitals, which often require BSN-prepared nurses. Additionally, pursuing travel nursing options can provide significantly higher pay rates during peak healthcare demands or acute shortages. Understanding these intricacies of registered nurse pay in Ontario is essential for effectively navigating one's career path in nursing.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
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Can registered nurses make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Ontario?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Ontario?
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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 $135,746 for registered nursesin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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