Registered Nurse Salary in Stockton, CA: $141,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Stockton, CA earns a median $141,726/year (≈ $68.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $134,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, registered nurses command a median annual salary of $141,726, significantly above the national median of $102,730. With a salary range stretching from $106,774 at the low end (P10) to a high of $223,994 (P90), this figure reflects not only the general market demand for healthcare professionals but also the value of specialty certifications like CCRN and CEN, which can enhance base pay significantly. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a competitive environment for nurses in Stockton, where additional certifications and skillsets may command higher salaries, benefitting those seeking robust compensation in this vibrant job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,774 | $51.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,152 | $62.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,726 | $68.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,889 | $84.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223,994 | $107.69 |
Median Salary Position
37.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,220 (2026 est.). At $141,726, the local median is 37.96% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Stockton median: $141,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,868 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +37.96% more |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,726 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $134,863 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,770
2025 BLS Actual
$134,580
2026 Current Est.
$141,726
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 17.3% from $114,770 (2019) to $134,580 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,482 (30.04%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $106,774 – $129,152 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,152 – $141,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,726 – $175,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,889 – $223,994 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Stockton
Employment opportunities for registered nurses in Stockton remain strong, with approximately 5,460 professionals already working in the field. The cost of living, represented by a cost-of-living index of 105.089, indicates that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power of those earnings must be carefully considered. Local employers that typically offer higher wages include acute care hospitals, ICU and emergency departments, as well as surgical specialty centers. Differential pay enhances earnings—nurses working nights or weekends can expect additional compensation. To maximize earnings, nurses should pursue specialty certifications and consider shifts that provide higher differentials, as well as exploring options in travel nursing, which offers flexibility alongside potential financial benefits. Understanding how the nuances between permanent staff, specialty roles, and employer types affect compensation can empower registered nurses to strategically navigate their careers in Stockton.
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
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 $134,580 for registered nursesin the Stockton 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