Registered Nurse Salary in San Francisco, CA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for San Francisco's cost of living (index: 214). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in San Francisco — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in San Francisco
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 Francisco
San Francisco has a metro population of 4,740,000, 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 Francisco
Other Professions in San Francisco
Registered Nurse Salary — Other California Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in San Francisco, CA?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in San Francisco is $184,190 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by San Francisco's cost of living index (214). The typical salary range runs from $147,425 (25th percentile) to $230,457 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $283,935.
Is San Francisco affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $184,190 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in San Francisco would spend approximately 22.8% of gross monthly income on median rent ($3,498/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making San Francisco relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $1,350,000 is 7.3× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to San Francisco's overall income?
San Francisco's median household income is $131,000. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $184,190 earns 40.6% more than the typical San Francisco 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.