Registered Nurse Salary in San Diego, CA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for San Diego's cost of living (index: 163). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in San Diego — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in San Diego
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in San Diego
San Diego has a metro population of 3,340,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for San Diego
Other Professions in San Diego
Registered Nurse Salary — Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in San Diego, CA?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in San Diego is $140,294 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by San Diego's cost of living index (163). The typical salary range runs from $112,291 (25th percentile) to $175,535 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $216,268.
Is San Diego affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $140,294 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in San Diego would spend approximately 18.8% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,195/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making San Diego relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $875,000 is 6.2× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to San Diego's overall income?
San Diego's median household income is $91,000. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $140,294 earns 54.2% more than the typical San Diego household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.