Registered Nurse salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$139,520/year
about $67.08 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $128,380 – $169,920
Half of registered nurses in the San Diego metro area earn more than $139,520 a year and half earn less. That's 43% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #4 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| 25th | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| Median (50th) | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| 75th | $169,920 | $81.69 |
| 90th (top earners) | $175,210 | $84.24 |
*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 San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $128,380 ($61.72/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $128,380 to $169,920 ($61.72 to $81.69/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $169,920 ($81.69/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, San Diego metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.