Nurse Practitioner salary in California
Nurse Practitioners in California earn a median of $168,520 a year ($81.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $120,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $240,830 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $132,300. California ranks 1st of 51 states for nurse practitioners pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.4 nurse practitioners per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $176,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nurse practitioners in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $120,340 | $57.86 |
| 25th percentile | $145,980 | $70.18 |
| Median | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| 75th percentile | $209,350 | $100.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $240,830 | $115.78 |
| Average (mean) | $176,760 | $84.98 |
Half of nurse practitioners earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $14,043.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,021.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,481.54 |
| Weekly | $3,240.77 |
| Hourly | $81.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nurse Practitioner salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $231,560 | 1,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $219,080 | 3,110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $182,370 | 180 |
| Napa, CA | $176,270 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $173,380 | 380 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $172,010 | 1,170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $169,920 | 1,710 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $168,540 | 70 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $167,190 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $167,080 | 140 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $167,040 | 280 |
| Fresno, CA | $166,570 | 570 |
| Salinas, CA | $166,090 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $165,580 | 430 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $165,580 | 200 |
| Yuba City, CA | $165,020 | 70 |
| El Centro, CA | $164,700 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,860 | 2,340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $162,950 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,470 | 10,060 |
| Redding, CA | $160,480 | 120 |
| Visalia, CA | $159,430 | 250 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $159,150 | 280 |
| Merced, CA | $158,750 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $148,800 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for nurse practitioners
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $168,520 |
| New Jersey | $159,310 |
| Washington | $156,100 |
| Oregon | $155,680 |
| Alaska | $155,170 |
| New York | $153,510 |
| Massachusetts | $142,440 |
| Nevada | $140,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,470 |
| New Hampshire | $137,550 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse practitioner make in California?
The median salary for nurse practitioners in California is $168,520 a year, or $81.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $120,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $240,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nurse practitioners make in California?
The top 10% of nurse practitioners in California earn at least $240,830 a year. The top 25% earn $209,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for nurse practitioners in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $120,340 a year, and a quarter of nurse practitioners earn $145,980 or less.
How many nurse practitioners work in California?
About 25,120 nurse practitioners are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.