Registered Nurse salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$186,610/year
about $89.72 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $137,120 – $215,630
Half of registered nurses in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $186,610 a year and half earn less. That's 91% higher than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $119,290 | $57.35 |
| 25th | $137,120 | $65.92 |
| Median (50th) | $186,610 | $89.72 |
| 75th | $215,630 | $103.67 |
| 90th (top earners) | $223,770 | $107.58 |
*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 Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $137,120 ($65.92/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $137,120 to $215,630 ($65.92 to $103.67/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $215,630 ($103.67/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, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.