Travel Nurse Salary in California (2025 Guide): Pay by City & Specialty
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If you're an RN with some experience, or already a travel nurse, this guide gives you a realistic look at how much travel nurses like you make in California. From city breakdowns to specialty pay and comparisons with staff nurses, we bring data and insights together so you can make informed career decisions.
Why California Nurse Salaries Matter
California has some of the highest RN compensation in the U.S.—but the cost of living and demand create unique dynamics. For travel nurses, understanding how pay varies by city and specialty is crucial.
With data from both official sources (BLS, CA BRN) and Nomad Health’s own job listings, we provide, trends, and tips to maximize your earning potential salary ranges.
Average Staff Nurse Salary in California
Let’s ground expectations with state averages:
Median annual RN salary in California: ~$120,000 to $130,000+ depending on region
Hourly equivalent: ~$58–$65/hr for staff RNs
Compared to national average, California RNs often earn 25–40% more, reflecting high demand and cost pressures
These figures set the baseline. Travel nurse salaries are usually quoted in weekly gross compensation, reflecting shift premiums, differential pay, stipends, and overtime.
Travel Nurse Salary in California: Weekly Pay by City & Specialty
Here are real ranges based on recent Nomad Health listings (gross before taxes):
City / Region | Low | Mid | High | Common Specialties |
Los Angeles / Orange County | $2,800 | $4,200 | $5,800+ | |
San Francisco / Bay Area | $3,200 | $4,800 | $6,500+ | ICU, CVOR, Trauma |
San Diego | $2,900 | $4,400 | $6,000+ | ICU, Cardiac, OR |
Riverside / Inland Empire | $2,500 | $3,800 | $5,500 | Med-Surg, Postpartum, ICU |
Sacramento / Northern CA | $2,700 | $3,900 | $5,500 | ICU, Neuro, Med-Surg |
Central Valley / Rural CA | $2,300 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
Notes:
These numbers are estimates and exclude housing stipends, overtime, or shift differentials unless explicitly noted.
High-end assignments often include bonus pay, relocation, and premium shifts.
Pay tends to skew higher in cities with high cost of living or shortage of staff (SF, Bay Area, LA).
Top-Paying Nursing Specialties in California
Using job count and pay data from Nomad:
Specialty | Median Weekly Pay | Typical Job Count |
Cardiac / CVOR | $4,800 | 120+ postings |
OR / Surgical | $4,600 | 130+ postings |
ICU / Trauma | $4,500 | 200+ postings |
ER / Critical Care | $4,300 | 180+ postings |
L&D / Mother-Baby | $4,100 | 140+ postings |
Med-Surg / Telemetry | $3,800 | 300+ postings |
Postpartum / Mother-Baby | $3,900 | 110+ postings |
Specialties like Cardiac, OR, and Trauma/ICU often top the charts, but they often require advanced experience and certification.
Travel Nurse vs Staff Nurse Salaries in California
Role | Pay Basis | Sample Range |
Staff RN | Hourly wage, benefits | $58–$65/hr |
Travel RN (weekly) | Gross weekly salary + stipends | $3,500 – $6,500+ |
As a travel nurse, you typically earn more per hour (especially with overtime and shift differentials) and can supplement pay with housing & travel stipends which staff roles often don’t provide.
What Makes Up a Travel Nurse Pay Package?
Here’s what is often included or factored:
Base weekly rate (gross pay for shifts)
Shift differentials / overtime
Housing stipend or free housing (taxable or non-taxable)
Travel reimbursement
Meal / per diem allowances
Certifications, license reimbursements
Always clarify your full package, not just the base rate.
Why California Pays More for Nurses
Several structural and market drivers push California pay above the national average:
High cost of living (housing, transportation, utilities)
Union influence & staffing laws (safe staffing ratios)
High demand in urban centers and nurse shortage in rural areas
Premium pay for specialty units (ICU, OR, trauma)
Understanding these will help you assess whether an offer is fair or generous.
How to Get Started as a Travel Nurse in California
Secure a valid California RN license (via endorsement or initial license)
Gain clinical experience (usually 1–2 years in your specialty)
Obtain relevant certifications (e.g., TNCC, ACLS, CCRN)
Create a Nomad profile and browse CA-based assignments
Compare pay packages, not just base rates
Check tax & stipend treatment to understand net pay
Nomad helps you filter CA travel jobs and gives full pay transparency before you apply.
FAQs About California Travel Nurse Salary
- Depending on location and specialty, travel nurses in CA can earn anywhere from $3,000 to $6,500+ per week, before stipends.
- Top-paying specialties often include Cardiac, OR, ICU, Trauma, and CVOR.
- Major metro areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bay Area, and San Diego tend to top salary charts.
- Yes. New grads typically land staff roles first. Travel rates require experience, so pay for grads is significantly lower initially.
- Even high pay can be tempered by expensive housing, taxes, and commuting costs. Always analyze net pay after costs.