State salary hub
Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary in California 2026
Statewide pay overview, hourly rate, top cities, estimated take-home pay, and city-level links for labor and delivery nurse roles in CA.
California labor and delivery nurse pay should be reviewed with city-level context, especially San Diego and Los Angeles, because local costs and unit expectations vary. L&D RN searches should also compare call requirements and high-risk OB exposure.
Statewide annual estimate
$113,160
$54.40/hr, $2,176/wk, $9,430/mo
State pay snapshot
Hourly
$54.40
Weekly
$2,176
Monthly
$9,430
Annual
$113,160
This is 38% above the national baseline of $82,000 per year for labor and delivery nurse.
Quick answer for CA salary searches
In California, the estimated 2026 labor and delivery nurse salary is $113,160 per year, or about $54.40 per hour, before taxes. Use the city calculators below to compare local hourly pay, annual pay, and simplified take-home context.
The simplified statewide take-home estimate is about $6,601 per month. Compare that number with city pay, shift differential, benefits, commute, and overtime rules before treating a statewide average as a real offer.
Compare key CA city salaries
Use these city calculators to compare hourly pay, annual pay, and estimated take-home context before weighing a local offer in California.
Top paying cities in CA
| City | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $73.45 | $152,766 |
| San Jose, CA | $68.00 | $141,450 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64.20 | $133,529 |
| San Diego, CA | $62.56 | $130,134 |
| Fresno, CA | $51.68 | $107,502 |
City salary calculators in CA
Use these city pages to compare local hourly pay, annual pay, take-home context, and nearby markets before evaluating an offer.
Estimated salary range
10th percentile
$81,475
$39.17/hr
25th percentile
$97,318
$46.79/hr
Median estimate
$113,160
$54.40/hr
75th percentile
$129,002
$62.02/hr
90th percentile
$149,371
$71.81/hr
Take-home pay and taxes
Estimated take-home pay for the statewide salary is about $79,212 per year, or $6,601 per month, using a simplified federal tax assumption and the stored California state income tax rate. Use a city page calculator to adjust the salary input for a specific offer.
How to increase pay
- Compare offers across the highest-paying cities before accepting a role.
- Ask about shift differential, weekend differential, overtime rules, and call pay.
- Document specialty certifications, high-acuity experience, and unit leadership work.
- Compare total compensation, not only hourly rate: benefits and retirement match matter.
FAQ
How much does a Labor and Delivery Nurse make in California?
The 2026 statewide estimate is $113,160 per year, or about $54.40 per hour, before taxes.
What is the hourly pay for Labor and Delivery Nurse roles in CA?
The statewide hourly estimate is $54.40 before taxes. City pages can be higher or lower after local market and cost-of-living adjustments.
What are the top cities for Labor and Delivery Nurse salary in CA?
Among the cities in this model, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles currently show the highest local estimates for labor and delivery nurse pay.
Is California above or below the national average?
California is estimated to be 38% above the national baseline for labor and delivery nurse pay after the state cost-of-living adjustment.
Which California page should I check next?
Start with Los Angeles, San Diego because these city calculators give useful local context before comparing a specific offer.
Methodology
Last updated June 1, 2026. State estimates start with a national specialty salary baseline and apply the California cost-of-living multiplier. City pages add local market multipliers. Estimates are for planning and comparison only.