California Leads Country with Highest RN Salary

The registered nurse (RN) is one of the most common nursing occupations. RNs are found in hospitals, clinics, nursing and residential facilities, and even home-based care. For the last decade RN salary in California has been the highest in the country.  Let's take a look at some of the history of RN salary in California and potential future growth.

California RN Salary and Median Wages

In 2012 the median RN salary in California was $94,120 per year, or about $45 per hour, making it the highest paying state in the country. Some may say that salary in California is traditionally high and therefore it's all relative. Well, that's not necessarily true. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2012 median income in California was $55,571, making it #16 in the country for highest median salary. But, when you compare RN salary to the median salary in the state, California is #1, with a 64% increase over the average worker.

History of RN Salary in California

Looking back to 2004, California has had the highest RN salary of any state. It has experienced constant growth throughout the entire period, even during the economic recession of 2010. California has experienced 5-12% year-to-year growth in RN salary since 2004.

1. 2004 - $66,920
2. 2006 - $75,130 (+12%)
3. 2008 - $83,040 (+11%)
4. 2010 - $87,480 (+5%)
5. 2012 - $94,120 (+8%)

California Cities with Highest RN Salary 

Not only does California typically lead the country in highest RN salary as a state, but the top paying metropolitan areas in the country are all in California. The 2012 top paying metropolitan areas for RN annual salary was:

1. San Jose, CA - $122,990
2. Vallejo, CA - $119,310
3. Oakland, CA - $113,520
4. San Francisco, $110,630
5. Sacramento, CA - $107,710

Future Job Growth for RNs in California

 The BLS projects that RN jobs in California will increase by 22% by 2020. This could result in the creation of more than 9,900 new RN jobs in California. Causing this growth is the growing number of aging Baby Boomers and the influx of new health care recipients from "Obama Care." It's for this reason that may RN programs in California are rapidly recruiting students.

All wage and salary data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.