State salary hub
Pediatric Nurse Salary in California 2026
Statewide pay overview, hourly rate, metro comparison, estimated take-home pay, and offer context for pediatric nurse roles in CA.
California pediatric nurse pay can vary widely by metro. Start with the estimated $107,640 statewide salary and $51.75 hourly pay, then compare Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Fresno city calculators before judging an offer.
Statewide annual estimate
$107,640
$51.75/hr, $2,070/wk, $8,970/mo
State pay snapshot
Hourly
$51.75
Weekly
$2,070
Monthly
$8,970
Annual
$107,640
This is 38% above the national baseline of $78,000 per year for pediatric nurse.
Quick answer for CA salary searches
In California, the estimated 2026 pediatric nurse salary is $107,640 per year, or $51.75 per hour, before taxes. Use the metro calculator below to compare local gross pay and simplified take-home context.
The simplified statewide take-home estimate is about $6,279 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 | $69.86 | $145,314 |
| San Jose, CA | $64.69 | $134,550 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $61.06 | $127,015 |
| San Diego, CA | $59.51 | $123,786 |
| Fresno, CA | $49.16 | $102,258 |
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
$77,501
$37.26/hr
25th percentile
$92,570
$44.50/hr
Median estimate
$107,640
$51.75/hr
75th percentile
$122,710
$59.00/hr
90th percentile
$142,085
$68.31/hr
Take-home pay and taxes
Estimated take-home pay for the statewide salary is about $75,348 per year, or $6,279 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.
2026 California pay update
Want this salary estimate sent to you?
Get the pediatric nurse pay guide for California, including hourly pay, annual salary, take-home context, and offer-comparison notes.
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 Pediatric Nurse make in California?
The 2026 statewide estimate is $107,640 per year, or about $51.75 per hour, before taxes.
What is the hourly pay for Pediatric Nurse roles in CA?
The statewide hourly estimate is $51.75 before taxes. City pages can be higher or lower after local market and cost-of-living adjustments.
What are the top cities for Pediatric Nurse salary in CA?
San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles currently show the highest published local comparisons for pediatric nurse pay on TrueNursePay.
Is California above or below the national average?
California is 38% above the national baseline for this specialty after the state cost-of-living adjustment.
Which California page should I check next?
Start with Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco because these city calculators give useful local context before comparing a specific offer.
Methodology
Last updated July 16, 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.