Nurse Practitioner salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A nurse practitioner in California earns a median of $168,520 a year ($81.02/hour equivalent), 27.4% above the national median of $132,300. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 25,120 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $112,831 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $4,340 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $6,481.54
- Federal income tax
- −$1,122.26
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$401.86
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$93.98
- California income tax
- −$439.51
- CA SDI
- −$84.26
- Take-home pay
- $4,339.67
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $168,520
- Federal
- $29,179
- FICA
- $12,892
- State + local
- $13,618
- Net
- $112,831
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $168,520 |
| #2 | New Jersey | $159,310 |
| #3 | Washington | $156,100 |
| #4 | Oregon | $155,680 |
| #5 | Alaska | $155,170 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $122,870 |
| #50 | Tennessee | $117,590 |
| #51 | Alabama | $105,750 |
See the national nurse practitioner salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in California?
The median salary is $168,520 a year and the average is $176,760 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for nurse practitioners?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 27% above the national median of $132,300.
What is $168,520 after taxes in California?
About $112,831 a year ($4,340 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.