San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Registered Nurse Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

In the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan area, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $141,700 ($68.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $102,300/year and the 90th was $215,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $99,185 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$141,700$68.13 per hour · $11,808 monthly
10th Percentile$102,300$49.18/hr base
25th Percentile$123,700$59.47/hr base
75th Percentile$175,000$84.13/hr base
90th Percentile$215,600$103.65/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$141,700
$55,000$285,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$141,700
Net 70%
Fed 16%
CA 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$99,185After all taxes
Monthly deposit$8,265Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,815Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate30%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$22,742 / yr
California state income tax$8,933 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$10,840 / yr

Registered Nurses Wage Percentiles in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Registered Nurses in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$49.18/hr$8,525$102,300$75,529
25th Percentile$59.47/hr$10,308$123,700$88,556
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$68.13/hr$11,808$141,700$99,185
75th Percentile$84.13/hr$14,583$175,000$118,849
90th Percentile$103.65/hr$17,967$215,600$144,611

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$141,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$106,268Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.911.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio133.3%of area median income

Compare registered nurses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurses Pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

What is the median salary for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $141,700, which equates to approximately $11,808 per month or $68.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

The median hourly wage for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $68.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $49.18/hour and one in ten earned more than $103.65/hour.

What is the pay range for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

BLS wage estimates for registered nurses in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA span from $102,300 at the 10th percentile to $123,700 at the 25th, $175,000 at the 75th, and $215,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do registered nurses take home after taxes in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On a median gross salary of $141,700, an estimated $99,185 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,815 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $42,515 (an effective rate of 30%).

How much do registered nurses make per month in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

On the median annual salary of $141,700, gross monthly income is $11,808. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $8,265 per month (or $3,815 every two weeks).

Is $141,700 a good salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?

At $141,700, the median salary for registered nurses is 133.3% of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA median household income ($106,268). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.9, making regional consumer goods and services 11.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.