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.

San Diego is already ranking on page one for pediatric nurse salary pages, so this guide reinforces local hourly pay, annual pay, and California comparison intent.

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.

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

BenchmarkAnnualHourlyDifference
San Diego, CA$123,786$59.51Local estimate
California average$107,640$51.75San Diego is 15% above
National baseline$78,000$37.50San Diego is 59% above

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.

RangeAnnual payHourly 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.

Take-Home Pay Estimator
San Diego, CA

Adjust gross pay to compare a simplified take-home estimate for San Diego, CA.

$123,786
$40k$300k

Estimated Gross (Pre-tax)

$123,786

Base plus selected adjustments

Estimated Taxes

$37,136

State: 8.0% + Fed: ~22%

Take-Home (Net)

$86,650

~ $7,221 / mo

2026 San Diego, California pay update

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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.

Base hourly rate and guaranteed hours
Night, weekend, and holiday differential
Overtime rules and floating requirements
Benefits, retirement match, and commute cost

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 July 16, 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 July 16, 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.