What to Pay a Registered Nurse in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
How to set your RN pay range in Los Angeles
Three pay positions, modeled against current Los Angeles market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
RN salary percentile distribution in Los Angeles, CA
Where the Los Angeles market actually sits for RN base pay.
Most Los Angeles employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($130,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $110,000 and a max of $155,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
California pay transparency compliance for RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a 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 RN role in Los Angeles, a compliant good-faith range looks like $110,000 to $155,000. A good-faith range for this role is $110,000–$155,000. Ranges wider than ~50% have been challenged under CA enforcement actions.
Top RN employers in Los Angeles — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring RNs in the Los Angeles metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | Integrated health system | $128K–$165K | Common ($5K–$10K) |
| Cedars-Sinai | Academic medical center | $135K–$175K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| UCLA Health | Academic medical center | $132K–$170K | Common ($5K–$12K) |
| Providence Health | Health system (multi-site) | $122K–$158K | Very common ($10K–$20K) |
| CommonSpirit / Dignity Health | Health system | $118K–$152K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| Keck Medicine of USC | Academic medical center | $130K–$168K | Common ($5K–$12K) |
| Children's Hospital LA | Pediatric specialty | $125K–$162K | Common ($5K–$10K) |
| LA County DHS | Public health system | $120K–$155K | Government benefits |
RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Los Angeles
How hard is it to fill a RN role in Los Angeles.
LA's RN market is one of the most competitive in the country — California's nurse-to-patient ratio laws (the only state with strict mandates) drive structural demand above national norms. The MSA has the largest RN workforce in the country (~72,000) but consistent shortages in critical care, ER, and L&D.
Skill premiums RN candidates command in Los Angeles, CA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN (Critical Care RN) | +8–14% | Very high — ICU is the tightest specialty in LA |
| CEN (Emergency RN) | +7–12% | Very high — chronic ER understaffing |
| CNOR (Perioperative) | +8–12% | High — OR roles command premium |
| Bilingual Spanish | +3–5% | High — explicit in ~48% of LA RN postings |
| BSN (vs ADN) | +5–8% | Standard — Magnet hospitals require BSN |
RN total compensation in Los Angeles — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for RNs in Los Angeles. "Prevalence" reflects share of Los Angeles disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Los Angeles Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $130,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential (evening/night/weekend) | +15–25% premium | ~92% |
| Sign-on bonus | $5,000–$20,000 | ~78% |
| Certification pay (CCRN, CEN, CNOR) | +5–12% premium | ~58% |
| Overtime opportunity | $12K–$28K annualized | ~94% |
| Tuition reimbursement (BSN, MSN) | $3,000–$6,000/yr | ~62% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$162,000–$195,000 | — |
LA's RN total comp is driven heavily by overtime and shift differentials — many RNs earn $25–40K above base through OT and weekend/night premiums. Sign-on bonuses are now standard rather than differentiating; the strongest acquisition lever is structured certification pay and BSN/MSN reimbursement.
RN pay by setting in Los Angeles — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the RN range splits by employer type in the Los Angeles metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute-care hospital (med-surg) | $128,000 | $115K–$148K | High |
| ICU / Critical care | $148,000 | $132K–$172K | Very high |
| Emergency department | $142,000 | $126K–$165K | Very high |
| OR / Perioperative | $145,000 | $130K–$168K | High |
| Labor & Delivery | $140,000 | $125K–$162K | High |
| Ambulatory / clinic | $112,000 | $100K–$128K | Moderate |
Acute-care hospitals dominate LA's RN employment, with ICU, ER, and OR specialties commanding the highest pay. Ambulatory and outpatient roles pay 12–18% below hospital roles. Travel nurse premiums in LA are among the highest in the country.
RN salary in Los Angeles vs. other California and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Los Angeles | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA | $130,000 | — | Very tight |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA | $158,000 | +21.5% | Very tight |
| San Diego–Carlsbad, CA | $122,000 | −6.2% | Above national avg |
| Sacramento–Roseville, CA | $135,000 | +3.8% | Tight |
| Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale, AZ | $96,000 | −26.2% | Moderate |
| California statewide | $133,000 | +2.3% | — |
| U.S. national | $93,600 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Registered Nurse in Los Angeles, CA
Related 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.