salary$139,520 a year$67 an hour · median pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$102,480per year
Top pay (top 10%)$175,210per year
Jobs in the area28,680people work this job
Can a registered nurse afford San Diego?
OK. Rent of $3,011 a month takes 25.9% of the median registered nurse salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Registered Nurse pay in similar cities
Other jobs in San Diego
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in San Diego, CA?
The median pay for a registered nurse in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area is $139,520 a year ($67 an hour). Most earn between $102,480 and $175,210.
Can a registered nurse afford to live in San Diego?
Typical rent of $3,011 a month takes 25.9% of the median registered nurse salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area.