San Diego registered nurse salary: rankings and context
After a simplified 16% national tax estimate that is about US$9,800 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How San Diego compares with United States and CA
On a United States league table of 21 metros, San Diego comes 3rd. One place higher is San Francisco at US$186,610, one lower is Los Angeles at US$135,560, and San Jose tops the list.
Across CA, the 4 observed metros average US$169,600; San Diego is 18% below that and 3rd in the state. The others: Los Angeles (US$135,560), San Jose (US$216,740) and San Francisco (US$186,610).
What the San Diego median is worth after tax and rent
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$139,500).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 3rd of 21 either way.
After a simplified 16% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$9,800 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 17% of that, leaving around US$6,280 after modeled living costs.
Other CA options for registered nurses
Los Angeles (also in CA) pays US$135,560, 3% less than San Diego; modeled monthly leftover is US$250 lower.
A registered nurse moving from San Diego to San Jose (also in CA) would see the median rise 55% to US$216,740, with US$4,890 more left over monthly in our model.
New York (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$119,720, 14% less than San Diego; modeled monthly leftover is US$1,260 lower.
Other San Diego jobs compared with registered nurse
Of the 9 roles we track in San Diego, Registered Nurse is 3rd by median; the highest is Lawyer (US$178,220).
Closest neighbours in the San Diego list: Software Engineer at US$163,270 (+17%) and Data Scientist at US$130,990 (-6%).
Where San Diego stands for junior and senior registered nurses
Entry-level registered nurses fare better here (3rd of 21 at the 10th percentile, US$102,480) than senior ones (4th at the 90th, US$175,210).
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$235,190 at the 90th percentile, +34% against San Diego.
How wide registered nurse pay runs in San Diego
From the 10th percentile (US$102,480) to the 90th (US$175,210) is only 1.7×, a narrower spread than many roles.