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.
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.
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 |
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 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.
Methodology
Last updated April 29, 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.