#1
state median rank among 51 available states/DC
May 2025 BLS data · live take-home
Registered Nurses Salary in California
The median annual salary for registered nurses in California is $140,270, based on May 2025 BLS data. Here is what that salary looks like on a biweekly paycheck after taxes.
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Salary breakdown
Median wage from BLS May 2025, applied through the 2026 tax engine.
Take-home per check
2026 rates · biweekly
Gross pay (per check)$5,395
Federal income tax-$861
Social Security-$334
Medicare-$78
State income tax (CA)-$345
Net take-home$3,776
Annual net: $98,172Effective rate: 30.0%
Median wage from BLS OEWS (May 2025, retrieved 2026-09-02). Tax estimate uses 2026 federal brackets and California state rules; local taxes excluded.
Registered Nurses pay across California scenarios
The BLS median represents the midpoint — half of registered nurses in California earn more, half earn less. Run your own number through the California paycheck calculator or compare states with the state income tax comparison.
Official California wage range
These are published annual BLS thresholds, not entry-level and maximum salaries. Employer, experience, specialty and metro area can materially change an offer.
| P10 | P25 | P50 median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $101,260 | $122,440 | $140,270 | $173,170 | $213,320 |
338,940
BLS estimated state employment
0.86
location quotient · 1.00 is U.S. average concentration
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Registered Nurses salary in California?
The median annual salary for registered nurses in California is $140,270 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). After federal tax, FICA and California state income tax, a single filer keeps approximately $3,776 per biweekly check.
How much does a registered nurses take home in California after taxes?
On the median salary of $140,270, a single filer in California takes home approximately $3,776 every two weeks ($5,395 gross). The effective tax rate is 30.0%.
Other salaries in California
Registered Nurses salary in other states
Continue this comparison
Compare registered nurses across all states, use the interactive Salary Explorer, review the Annual Salary Power Report, or open the California paycheck calculator. Read the RN Paycheck Atlas research report.