Registered Nurse Salary in Vacaville, CA: $141,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Vacaville, CA earns a median $141,605/year (≈ $68.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $125,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Vacaville, California, the projected median annual salary for registered nurses in 2026 is $141,605, considerably higher than the national median of $102,730, representing a robust 37.84% increase in compensation. The salary range for registered nurses in this area spans from $101,515 at the 10th percentile to $209,218 at the 90th percentile, creating a diverse landscape for earnings based on experience, specialization, and work setting. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost levels, reflect the city's competitive healthcare environment. Factors such as the increasing demand for skilled staff and the ongoing influence of travel nursing and staff nurse pay structures further shape the job market in Vacaville for registered nurses.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($137,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,515 | $48.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,987 | $56.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $141,605 | $68.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,714 | $81.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,218 | $100.58 |
Median Salary Position
37.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,703 (2026 est.). At $141,605, the local median is 37.84% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $141,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $141,889 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +37.84% more |
Registered Nurses in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $141,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.84% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.20% below the California state average of $141,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $141,605 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,203 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,038
2025 BLS Actual
$134,465
2026 Current Est.
$141,605
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,836 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $154,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $141,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $101,038 (2019) to $134,465 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,086 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $101,515 – $116,987 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,987 – $141,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $141,605 – $168,714 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,714 – $209,218 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Vacaville
With 15 registered nurses currently employed in Vacaville, the local job market offers unique challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while the salaries may seem appealing, the purchasing power may be tighter than expected. Notably, employers including hospital systems and specialty care facilities offer varying compensation depending on roles; intensive care units and emergency departments typically provide higher salaries than standard floor assignments. Factors contributing to the salary variation include shift differentials that reward night and weekend shifts, specialty certification stipends, and opportunities for charge nurse pay, particularly in magnet-status hospitals. For nurses seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training may enhance their value in the marketplace, allowing them to negotiate better compensation packages within the vibrant yet complex healthcare system of Vacaville, CA.
More salary data for Vacaville, 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 $134,465 for registered nursesin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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