Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $168,520 | $135,791 | +24% |
| Median hourly wage | $81.02 | $65.28 | +24% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $152,231.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $199,160 | $155,000 | $240,250 | 244 |
| Oakland | $179,886 | $140,000 | $217,000 | 196 |
| Los Angeles | $164,467 | $128,000 | $198,400 | 173 |
| Long Beach | $154,188 | $120,000 | $186,000 | 153 |
| San Diego | $151,618 | $118,000 | $182,900 | 161 |
| Sacramento | $138,769 | $108,000 | $167,400 | 130 |
| Fresno | $122,066 | $95,000 | $147,250 | 105 |
The median annual salary for a Nurse Practitioner in California is $168,520, or about $81.02 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Nurse Practitioners is $135,791. California is +24% above the national median.
Entry-level nurse practitioners in California typically earn from $155,000 depending on the city and employer.
With 25,120 nurse practitioner jobs on record and a median salary of $168,520, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.