Registered Nurse Salary in San Diego, CA: $146,929 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in San Diego, CA earns a median $146,929/year (≈ $70.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $131,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Registered nurses in San Diego are set to earn a median annual salary of $146,929 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $102,730, representing an impressive 43.02% wage premium for the area. The salary range varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning about $107,922 and the top 90% making as much as $184,514. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect the lucrative nature of nursing in this market, particularly as shift differentials for evenings and weekends can lead to higher overall compensation. Job opportunities remain robust, driven by a growing demand for healthcare services within the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,922 | $51.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,197 | $65.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,929 | $70.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,943 | $86.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,514 | $88.71 |
Median Salary Position
43.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,592 (2026 est.). At $146,929, the local median is 43.02% above the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Registered Nurse Pay Compares
San Diego median: $146,929/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,960 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +43.02% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,929 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $131,319 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,100
2025 BLS Actual
$139,520
2026 Current Est.
$146,929
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $132,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,929 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 32.7% from $105,100 (2019) to $139,520 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $154,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,630 (47.22%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $107,922 – $135,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,197 – $146,929 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,929 – $178,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,943 – $184,514 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in San Diego
In San Diego, approximately 28,680 registered nurses are currently employed, which speaks to the area's strong job market. However, the cost of living index stands at 111.887, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they must also account for higher living expenses compared to the national average. Leading employers in this region, particularly large hospital systems and specialized surgical centers, often offer the highest pay rates, with opportunities for additional earnings through shift differentials, charge nurse roles, or specialty certifications. This salary spread is primarily influenced by various factors including the type of unit (ICU or ED versus general floor nursing), weekend differentials that can add $3-5 per hour, and incentives tied to hospital performance and magnet status. To maximize earnings effectively, registered nurses should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seeking opportunities in high-demand areas such as critical care or travel nursing, which have been in heightened demand since the COVID pandemic.
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
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 $139,520 for registered nursesin the San Diego 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
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