Registered nurse salary in California after taxes
The median registered nurse in California earns $140,270 a year ($67.44 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $95,637 a year, or $3,678.34 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $101,260 | $73,061 | $6,088 | $2,810.03 |
| 25th percentile | $122,440 | $85,506 | $7,125 | $3,288.69 |
| Median | $140,270 | $95,637 | $7,970 | $3,678.34 |
| 75th percentile | $173,170 | $114,331 | $9,528 | $4,397.34 |
| 90th percentile | $213,320 | $138,811 | $11,568 | $5,338.88 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of registered nurses in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
Change the salary, add your 401(k), health premiums and W-4 settings:
Registered nurse take-home pay in other states
California ranks #1 of 20 of the states we cover for median registered nurse take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| California | $140,270 | $95,637 |
| Washington | $124,200 | $94,434 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | $85,849 |
| Nevada | $103,670 | $81,762 |
| New York | $109,440 | $79,867 |
| New Hampshire | $99,700 | $78,969 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 | $78,050 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 | $76,993 |
| Texas | $95,970 | $76,345 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 | $73,708 |
| Illinois | $95,990 | $71,752 |
| Michigan | $94,300 | $71,413 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $70,723 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $70,110 |
| Florida | $84,190 | $68,058 |
| Wyoming | $83,760 | $67,755 |
| Tennessee | $81,500 | $66,165 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $65,232 |
| Ohio | $82,510 | $64,790 |
| South Dakota | $78,060 | $63,745 |
Questions
How much does a registered nurse make in California after taxes?
The median registered nurse in California earns $140,270 a year ($67.44 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $95,637 a year, $7,970 a month or $3,678.34 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many registered nurses work in California?
About 338,940, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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