Registered Nurse Salary in San Francisco, CA: $196,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in San Francisco, CA earns a median $196,519/year (≈ $94.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $169,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 38.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in San Francisco, CA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $196,519, significantly higher than the national median of $102,730, highlighting the competitive compensation landscape in the region. Salaries for registered nursing positions range from $125,624 at the 10th percentile to $235,652 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variety of roles and experiences available in this thriving healthcare market. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrates how shift differentials for night and weekend shifts can substantially impact overall earnings, as many facilities offer additional pay to attract nursing professionals to less desirable hours. For RNs seeking to maximize their compensation in San Francisco, understanding the intricacies of local demand and employer preferences is essential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $125,624 | $60.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $144,401 | $69.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $196,519 | $94.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $227,080 | $109.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $235,652 | $113.29 |
Median Salary Position
91.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,028 (2026 est.). At $196,519, the local median is 91.3% above the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Registered Nurse Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $196,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,891 | +38.50% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +91.30% more |
Registered Nurses in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $196,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 91.30% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 38.50% above the California state average of $141,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $196,519 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $169,980 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$141,640
2025 BLS Actual
$186,610
2026 Current Est.
$196,519
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $141,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $155,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $157,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $173,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $181,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $186,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $196,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $206,954 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 31.7% from $141,640 (2019) to $186,610 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $206,954 by 2027 — a total increase of $65,314 (46.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $125,624 – $144,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $144,401 – $196,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $196,519 – $227,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $227,080 – $235,652 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in San Francisco
As of 2026, San Francisco employs around 41,750 registered nurses, a strong indicator of the job market's health and demand for nursing services. The cost of living index, pegged at 115.613, suggests that while salaries appear attractive, the higher expenses associated with living in the Bay Area can significantly affect take-home pay and purchasing power. Leading employers that pay some of the highest registered nurse salaries include large hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies, with various sectors offering premium wages for critical care roles, especially in ICU and emergency departments. Factors influencing the salary variance range from shift differentials—often between $3 to $7 per hour for night shifts and $3 to $5 for weekends—along with specialized certifications and positions such as charge nurses and those working in magnet-status facilities. For registered nurses in San Francisco, pursuing additional certifications or joining travel nursing agencies can also offer lucrative pay opportunities that capitalize on the area's growing healthcare sector.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $186,610 for registered nursesin the San Francisco 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