May 2025 BLS wage benchmark
Registered Nurse Salary in San Diego, CA 2026
BLS gross wage benchmarks and a separate estimated take-home calculation for registered nurse roles in San Diego, compared with California and national benchmarks.
BLS May 2025 reports a $145,060 mean annual wage and $69.74 mean hourly wage for registered nurses in the San Diego metro area.
BLS mean annual wage
$145,060
Hourly
$69.74
Weekly
$2,790
Monthly
$12,088
Take-home est.
$8,462/mo
Quick answer
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) reports a mean registered nurse wage of $145,060 per year, or $69.74 per hour, for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. TrueNursePay's simplified take-home estimate is about $8,462 per month.
The metro mean is 3% below the California mean and 43% above the national mean in the same BLS release. The employment estimate was 28,680 registered nurses. Actual offers vary by employer, unit, shift differential, experience, benefits, and overtime.
Metro mean hourly
$69.74
Metro mean annual
$145,060
Estimated take-home
$8,462/mo
Hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual pay
Hourly
$69.74
Weekly
$2,790
Monthly
$12,088
Annual
$145,060
Compared with state and national averages
| Benchmark | Annual | Hourly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA | $145,060 | $69.74 | Local estimate |
| California average | $150,280 | $72.25 | San Diego is 3% below |
| National baseline | $101,420 | $48.76 | San Diego is 43% above |
BLS wage percentiles
OEWS percentiles describe the wage distribution for this occupation and area. They are not experience tiers or guaranteed offer bands.
| Range | Annual pay | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| 25th percentile | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| Median | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| 75th percentile | $169,920 | $81.69 |
| 90th percentile | $175,210 | $84.24 |
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.
Is this pay good?
For San Diego, the BLS mean registered nurse salary is 3% below the California specialty average and 43% 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
Compare the base hourly rate with shift differentials, union terms, overtime rules, health benefits, parking or commute costs, and the exact San Diego-area employer.
FAQ
How much does a Registered Nurse make in San Diego, CA?
BLS May 2025 OEWS reports a mean wage of $145,060 per year, or $69.74 per hour, for registered nurses in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. This is a gross occupation-wide benchmark, not a guaranteed offer.
What is the hourly wage for a Registered Nurse in San Diego?
The BLS metro mean hourly wage is $69.74 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 Registered Nurse in San Diego?
The BLS metro mean annual wage is $145,060 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 Registered Nurse pay?
San Diego is 3% below the California mean and 43% above the national mean in the same BLS release.
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 $101,542 per year, or $8,462 per month. This is not tax advice.
Where does this salary figure come from?
The gross wage benchmark comes from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation code 29-1141. TrueNursePay separately applies simplified tax assumptions for take-home context. Page last updated July 16, 2026.
What should I compare before accepting a Registered Nurse offer in San Diego?
Compare the base hourly rate with shift differentials, union terms, overtime rules, health benefits, parking or commute costs, and the exact San Diego-area employer.
Data source and calculation method
Last updated July 16, 2026. Gross wage and employment benchmarks come from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025, occupation code 29-1141. Weekly and monthly figures are conversions of the mean annual wage. Take-home pay is a separate simplified TrueNursePay estimate and is not BLS data or tax advice.
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Get the registered nurse pay guide for San Diego, California, including hourly pay, annual salary, take-home context, and offer-comparison notes.