2026 salary estimate
Pediatric Nurse Salary in San Diego, CA 2026
Estimated hourly, weekly, monthly, annual, and take-home pay for pediatric nurse roles in San Diego, compared with California and national benchmarks.
Use the San Diego hourly and annual estimates as a local gross-pay benchmark, then compare California take-home pay, nearby cities, shift differentials, benefits, and housing costs.
Estimated annual pay
$123,786
Hourly
$59.51
Weekly
$2,381
Monthly
$10,316
Take-home est.
$7,221/mo
Quick answer
In San Diego, CA, the estimated 2026 pediatric nurse salary is $123,786 per year, or about $59.51 per hour, before taxes. The simplified take-home estimate is about $7,221 per month.
For San Diego hourly wage searches, use $59.51 as the local gross hourly estimate and $7,221 per month as the simplified take-home estimate. This is 15% above the California average and 59% above the national baseline in this model. Actual offers vary by employer, shift differential, benefits, commute, and overtime rules.
Compare this result with the Pediatric Nurse salary in California and the national pediatric nurse salary guide.
Local hourly estimate
$59.51
Local annual estimate
$123,786
Estimated take-home
$7,221/mo
Hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual pay
Hourly
$59.51
Weekly
$2,381
Monthly
$10,316
Annual
$123,786
Compared with state and national averages
| Benchmark | Annual | Hourly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $123,786 | $59.51 | Local estimate |
| California average | $107,640 | $51.75 | San Diego is 15% above |
| National baseline | $78,000 | $37.50 | San Diego is 59% above |
Paid partner resource
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Estimated salary range
This range is an estimate, not a guaranteed offer band. Experience level, shift differentials, facility type, union contracts, weekend premiums, and travel nursing status can move actual compensation materially.
| Range | Annual pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $89,126 | $42.85 |
| 25th percentile | $106,456 | $51.18 |
| Median estimate | $123,786 | $59.51 |
| 75th percentile | $141,116 | $67.84 |
| 90th percentile | $163,398 | $78.56 |
Nearby city comparison
Take-home pay estimate
The calculator starts with the local gross salary estimate and subtracts a simplified federal tax estimate plus the listed California state income tax rate.
2026 San Diego, California pay update
Want this salary estimate sent to you?
Get the pediatric nurse pay guide for San Diego, California, including hourly pay, annual salary, take-home context, and offer-comparison notes.
Is this pay good?
For San Diego, the estimated pediatric nurse salary is 15% above the California specialty average and 59% above the national baseline. Treat that as a directional signal rather than a final career decision: compare the offer against benefits, shift requirements, commute, patient acuity, overtime availability, and employer retirement match.
What to compare before accepting an offer
For San Diego pediatric nurse offers, compare base hourly pay, shift differential, California tax impact, commute, benefits, and pediatric acuity.
Optional negotiation resource
Preparing to negotiate a Pediatric Nurse offer or raise?
The Salary Negotiator offers paid, self-paced courses with negotiation lessons, scripts, templates, and comparison tools. Review the course details to decide whether they fit your situation in San Diego, California. Results vary, and no pay increase is guaranteed.
Explore negotiation coursesAffiliate disclosure: TrueNursePay may earn a commission if you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. This partner resource is separate from our salary estimates.
FAQ
How much does a Pediatric Nurse make in San Diego, CA?
The 2026 estimate is $123,786 per year, or about $59.51 per hour, before taxes. Actual offers can vary by hospital, shift differential, experience, certifications, and contract type.
What is the hourly wage for a Pediatric Nurse in San Diego?
The local gross hourly estimate is $59.51 before taxes. Use it as a comparison point, then account for night shift differential, weekend premium, overtime rules, benefits, and commute costs.
What is the annual salary for a Pediatric Nurse in San Diego?
The local annual estimate is $123,786 before taxes. Actual compensation may be higher or lower depending on employer, experience, shift, certifications, and contract type.
Is San Diego a good place for Pediatric Nurse pay?
San Diego is 15% above the California average and 59% above the national baseline for this specialty after local cost-of-living adjustment.
What is the estimated take-home pay in San Diego?
Using a simplified federal tax estimate and California state income tax rate, estimated take-home pay is about $86,650 per year, or $7,221 per month. This is not tax advice.
Where does this salary figure come from?
TrueNursePay starts with a national specialty baseline, then applies state cost-of-living, city market, and state income tax assumptions. The estimate was last updated on August 10, 2026.
What should I compare before accepting a Pediatric Nurse offer in San Diego?
For San Diego pediatric nurse offers, compare base hourly pay, shift differential, California tax impact, commute, benefits, and pediatric acuity.
Data source and calculation method
Last updated August 10, 2026. TrueNursePay uses a national specialty salary baseline for pediatric nurse, then applies state cost-of-living and city market multipliers. Take-home pay uses simplified tax assumptions. These figures are estimates for comparison and planning, not payroll, tax, legal, or financial advice.