Registered Nurse salary in Los Angeles, CA
Median pay, Los Angeles metro
$135,560/year
about $65.17 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $112,070 – $167,800
Half of registered nurses in the Los Angeles metro area earn more than $135,560 a year and half earn less. That's 39% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #5 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $100,980 | $48.55 |
| 25th | $112,070 | $53.88 |
| Median (50th) | $135,560 | $65.17 |
| 75th | $167,800 | $80.67 |
| 90th (top earners) | $174,200 | $83.75 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Los Angeles metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $112,070 ($53.88/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $112,070 to $167,800 ($53.88 to $80.67/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $167,800 ($80.67/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Los Angeles metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.