What to Pay an Operating Room Registered Nurse in San Francisco, CA (2026)
How to set your OR RN pay range in San Francisco
Three pay positions, modeled against current San Francisco market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
OR RN salary percentile distribution in San Francisco, CA
Where the San Francisco market actually sits for OR RN base pay.
Most San Francisco employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($180,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $155,000 and a max of $212,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
California pay transparency compliance for OR RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a OR RN in California.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay scale in job posting | 15+ employees, ≥1 in California | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Good-faith range (no inflated bands) | All covered postings | $100–$10,000 per violation; escalates for repeat |
| Include bonuses and incentive pay (SB 642) | All covered postings from 2026 | Same penalty schedule |
| Provide pay scale to current employees on request | Any covered employer | $100–$10,000 per violation |
| Maintain wage history records for 3 years | All employers | Presumption against employer in disputes |
For a OR RN role in San Francisco, a compliant good-faith range looks like $155,000 to $212,000. A good-faith range for this role is $155,000–$212,000. Ranges wider than ~50% have been challenged under CA enforcement actions.
Top OR RN employers in San Francisco — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring OR RNs in the San Francisco metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCSF Health | Academic medical center | $182K–$235K | Very common ($15K–$25K) |
| Stanford Health Care | Academic medical center | $178K–$230K | Very common ($12K–$22K) |
| Kaiser Permanente | Integrated health system | $175K–$225K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
| Sutter Health | Health system | $168K–$215K | Very common ($18K–$30K) |
| Surgical Care Affiliates (ASCs) | Ambulatory surgery centers | $155K–$200K | Common ($10K–$18K) |
OR RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in San Francisco
How hard is it to fill a OR RN role in San Francisco.
Skill premiums OR RN candidates command in San Francisco, CA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CNOR | +8–12% on base | Standard |
| Cardiothoracic OR (Stanford) | +9–14% | Very high |
| Neurosurgery OR | +8–12% | Very high |
| Robotic surgery certification | +7–11% | Very high and growing |
OR RN total compensation in San Francisco — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for OR RNs in San Francisco. "Prevalence" reflects share of San Francisco disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in San Francisco Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $180,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $8–$14/hr standby + 1.5–2× hourly | ~95% |
| Sign-on bonus | $15,000–$30,000 | ~82% |
| CNOR certification pay | +10–14% on base | ~80% |
| Housing stipend | $8K–$18K/yr | ~22% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$232K–$278K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
OR RN pay by setting in San Francisco — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the OR RN range splits by employer type in the San Francisco metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| General OR | $172,000 | $155K–$200K | Very high |
| Cardiothoracic OR (Stanford) | $192,000 | $172K–$222K | Very high |
| Neurosurgery OR (UCSF) | $188,000 | $168K–$215K | Very high |
| Orthopedic OR | $178,000 | $158K–$205K | Very high |
| Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) | $165,000 | $148K–$190K | Tight |
OR RN salary in San Francisco vs. other California and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. San Francisco | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $180,000 | — | Very tight |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $150,000 | −16.7% | Very tight |
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA | $182,000 | +1.1% | Very tight |
| Sacramento–Roseville, CA | $152,000 | −15.6% | Tight |
| California statewide | $152,000 | −15.6% | — |
| U.S. national | $106,000 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Operating Room Registered Nurse in San Francisco, CA
Related OR RN pay benchmarks — California metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.