Nurse Practitioner salary in California
What nurse practitioners earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$168,520$81.02 per hour
vs U.S.+27%U.S. median $132,300
Middle half earn$145,980 – $209,350Top 10%: $240,830+
Jobs25,1200.66× the U.S. concentration
Nurse Practitioner pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,470 | $77.63 | 10,060 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $219,080 | $105.33 | 3,110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,860 | $78.78 | 2,340 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $169,920 | $81.69 | 1,710 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,560 | $111.33 | 1,580 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $172,010 | $82.70 | 1,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $166,570 | $80.08 | 570 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $165,580 | $79.61 | 430 |
| Modesto, CA | $173,380 | $83.36 | 380 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $148,800 | $71.54 | 320 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $167,040 | $80.31 | 280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $159,150 | $76.52 | 280 |
| Visalia, CA | $159,430 | $76.65 | 250 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $165,580 | $79.60 | 200 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $167,190 | $80.38 | 190 |
| Vallejo, CA | $182,370 | $87.68 | 180 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $156,990 | $75.48 | 150 |
| Chico, CA | $167,080 | $80.33 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,090 | $79.85 | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $162,950 | $78.34 | 140 |
| Redding, CA | $160,480 | $77.15 | 120 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $169,820 | $81.64 | 120 |
| Merced, CA | $158,750 | $76.32 | 100 |
| El Centro, CA | $164,700 | $79.18 | 70 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $168,540 | $81.03 | 70 |
| Yuba City, CA | $165,020 | $79.34 | 70 |
| Napa, CA | $176,270 | $84.74 | 60 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $174,670 | $83.97 | 50 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Nurse Practitioner pay in similar states
New Jersey · $159,310 Washington · $156,100 Oregon · $155,680 Alaska · $155,170 New York · $153,510 Massachusetts · $142,440
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Pharmacists · $164,610 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Physical Therapists · $124,190 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590
Questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in California?
Nurse Practitioners in California earned a median of $168,520 a year ($81.02 an hour) in May 2025, 27% more than the national median of $132,300. The middle half earned $145,980 to $209,350.
Where in California do nurse practitioners earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $231,560.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.