Registered Nurse salary in Modesto, CA
Registered Nurses in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $132,590 a year ($63.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,800 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $140,270. There are 25 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| 25th percentile | $124,010 | $59.62 |
| Median | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| 75th percentile | $166,030 | $79.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,800 | $95.10 |
| Average (mean) | $143,670 | $69.07 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $11,049.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,524.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,099.62 |
| Weekly | $2,549.81 |
| Hourly | $63.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $216,740 | 22,930 |
| Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | 4,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,610 | 41,750 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $174,550 | 3,720 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $171,460 | 23,590 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $170,960 | 1,750 |
| Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | 1,080 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $139,520 | 28,680 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $138,820 | 2,180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $137,360 | 3,280 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $135,560 | 109,360 |
| Salinas, CA | $134,910 | 3,180 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $134,580 | 5,460 |
| Redding, CA | $134,350 | 1,720 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $133,940 | 35,290 |
| Merced, CA | $131,620 | 1,050 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $131,160 | 5,710 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $128,810 | 5,620 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $128,160 | 710 |
| Chico, CA | $127,360 | 2,170 |
| Fresno, CA | $125,420 | 11,030 |
| Visalia, CA | $125,180 | 2,990 |
| El Centro, CA | $103,450 | 950 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist | $126,600 | $60.86 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,910 | $59.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $173,380 | $83.36 |
| Pharmacist | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,580 | $155.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $103,870 | $49.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $116,770 | $56.14 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,730 | $79.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,110 | $58.23 |
| Dentists, General | $167,050 | $80.31 |
| Veterinarian | $162,160 | $77.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $97,830 | $47.03 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $260,020 | $125.01 |
| Optometrist | $137,480 | $66.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Modesto, CA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Modesto, CA metro area is $132,590 a year, or $63.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $197,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $197,800 a year. The top 25% earn $166,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,770 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $124,010 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Modesto, CA?
About 4,850 registered nurses are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.