Registered Nurse salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A registered nurse in California earns a median of $140,270 a year ($67.44/hour equivalent), 43.8% above the national median of $97,550. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 338,940 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $96,517 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,712 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $5,395.00
- Federal income tax
- −$861.49
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$334.49
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$78.23
- California income tax
- −$338.47
- CA SDI
- −$70.14
- Take-home pay
- $3,712.19
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $140,270
- Federal
- $22,399
- FICA
- $10,731
- State + local
- $10,624
- Net
- $96,517
- 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 | $140,270 |
| #2 | Hawaii | $136,320 |
| #3 | Oregon | $129,010 |
| #4 | Washington | $124,200 |
| #5 | Alaska | $109,480 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $78,060 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $77,090 |
| #51 | Alabama | $77,080 |
See the national registered nurse salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in California?
The median salary is $140,270 a year and the average is $150,280 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for registered nurses?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 44% above the national median of $97,550.
What is $140,270 after taxes in California?
About $96,517 a year ($3,712 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.