Registered Nurse Salary in Los Angeles + Job Outlook – 2025


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH


RN salary in Los Angeles is one of the highest in the nation: On average, the typical yearly earnings of a registered nurse in the City of the Angels comes to $125,350, which is 40 percent higher than the average RN salary nationwide. In addition to answering the question, “How much does a registered nurse make in Los Angeles, California?” this article delves into the demand for RN services as well as existing employment opportunities for RNs in the LA Metropolitan Area. Keep reading to find out the most recent scoop on RN demand and RN salary in Los Angeles for 2025.



HOW MANY REGISTERED NURSES ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN LOS ANGELES?


Some 111,660 registered nurses are employed throughout the Greater Metropolitan Los Angeles Area.

111,660
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHERE DO REGISTERED NURSES WORK IN LOS ANGELES?


Hospitals utilize 56 percent of Los Angeles’s registered nursing workforce (62,670 RNs), making them the largest employers of RNs in the City of the Angels. The four other practice settings that employ large numbers of RNs in LA are physicians’ offices (7,590 RNs or 7 percent), home healthcare services (6,310 or 6 percent), outpatient care centers (5,530 or 5 percent), and nursing care facilities (4,530 or 4 percent.)

Rank Industry Number of RNs
1 Hospitals 62,670
2 Physician's Offices 7,590
3 Home Health Care 6,310
4 Outpatient Care Centers 5,530
5 Nursing Care Facilities 4,530
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT IS THE AVERAGE REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES?


What is the average RN salary in Los Angeles? The average registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is $125,350, which breaks down to $60.26 an hour, $2,411 a week, or $10,450 a month. Most registered nurses in LA reach this benchmark in the eighth or ninth year of their careers.

Hourly$60.26
Weekly $2,411
Monthly$10,450
Annual $125,350
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



HOW MUCH DOES THE REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES GROW WITH EXPERIENCE?


Registered nurses earn more as they gain more experience because with experience comes efficiency, and efficient RNs help their employers save on operating costs. An RN in LA with one to four years of experience can expect to earn 24 percent more than their entry-level counterpart, while an RN with five to nine years of experience can expect to earn 54 percent more. With 10 to 19 years of experience, your salary will shoot up over a new grad’s earnings by 71 percent. Once you hit the 20-year mark, you’ll earn nearly twice as much as the average new grad registered nurse in Los Angeles.

Level of Experience Hourly Weekly Monthly Annual
Entry-Level $40.33 $1,613 $6,990 $83,890
1-4 Years of Experience $49.87 $1,995 $8,640 $103,720
5-9 Years of Experience $62.00 $2,480 $10,750 $128,960
10-19 Years of Experience $68.89 $2,756 $11,940 $143,290
20 Years or More Experience $79.72 $3,189 $13,820 $165,810
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT IS THE TOTAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION (INCLUDING OTHER BENEFITS) FOR REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?


Employee benefits can make a huge difference in your total compensation package. For registered nurses who work in Los Angeles’s private healthcare sector, benefits can amount to as much as $52,439, 42 percent of your base, thus bringing the total monetary value of an average $125,320 salary to $177,759. For registered nurses working in Los Angeles’s public healthcare sector, benefits can amount to as much as $76,925, 61 percent of your base, thus bringing the total monetary value of an average $125,510 salary to $202,435.

Component Private Industry State and Local Government
Paid Leave $13,332 $14,778
Supplemental Pay $6,577 $2,024
Insurance $13,154 $22,875
Retirement and Savings $6,044 $26,317
Legally Required $13,332 $10,932
Total Benefits $52,439 $76,925
Average Annual Salary $125,320 $125,510
Total Compensation $177,759 $202,435
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES IN INDUSTRIES HIRING THE MOST REGISTERED NURSES?


Most registered nurses in LA earn their highest salaries working for outpatient care centers such as ambulatory care clinics, emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, and pharmacy clinics. The average RN salary in Los Angeles at an outpatient care center is $135,880 annually (9 percent above the average LA RN salary in all practice settings.)

Among the 5 industries hiring the most RNs in LA, Hospitals pay the second-highest salaries ($127,590 or 2 percent above the average LA RN salary), followed by home healthcare services ($116,770 or 7 percent less than the average LA RN salary), physicians’ practices ($112,390 or 10 percent less than the average LA RN salary), and nursing care facilities ($108,700 or 13 percent less than the average LA RN salary.)

Industry Hourly Weekly Monthly Annual
Hospitals $61.33 $2,454 $10,630 $127,590
Physician's Offices $54.02 $2,161 $9,370 $112,390
Home Health Care $56.13 $2,246 $9,730 $116,770
Outpatient Care Centers $65.79 $2,632 $11,410 $136,880
Nursing Care Facilities $52.25 $2,090 $9,060 $108,700
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST-PAYING INDUSTRIES FOR REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?


Registered nursing skills are versatile, so RNs in Los Angeles are able to find employment in a range of high-paying industries outside the usual practice settings that employ registered nurses. Los Angeles-based RNs who accept jobs within the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing sector average $155,290 a year (or 24 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings), while RNs who provide services on nonscheduled air flights average $153,730 a year (23 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings.) Registered nurses who evaluate prospective healthcare workers for employment suitability average $153,570 annually (23 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings.)

Rank Industry Average Annual Salary
1 Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers $158,400
2 Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing $155,290
3 Nonscheduled Air Transportation $153,730
4 Employment Services $153,570
5 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods $151,190
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



WHAT IS THE AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES BY TYPE OF JOB?


RN salary in Los Angeles also varies by specialty. Registered nurses working in critical care units throughout LA typically earn the highest amounts of money: ICU RNs in LA earn $158,820 annually (27 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings), while neonatal RNs in LA earn $156,220 (25 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings.) Surgical RNs in LA are also top earners ($155,730 or 24 percent), closely followed by labor and delivery nurses in LA ($155,170 or 24 percent.)

Job Title Hourly Weekly Monthly Annual
Aesthetic Nurse $64.49 $2,580 $11,180 $134,140
Cardiac Nurse $68.94 $2,758 $11,950 $143,390
Dialysis Nurse $61.51 $2,460 $10,660 $127,940
ER Nurse $70.36 $2,814 $12,200 $146,340
Flight Nurse $61.08 $2,443 $10,590 $127,050
Forensic Nurse $57.75 $2,310 $10,010 $120,120
Geriatric Nurse $74.46 $2,978 $12,910 $154,880
Home Health Nurse $51.88 $2,075 $8,990 $107,920
Hospice Nurse $61.32 $2,453 $10,630 $127,550
ICU Nurse $76.36 $3,054 $13,240 $158,820
Labor And Delivery Nurse $74.60 $2,984 $12,930 $155,170
Neonatal Nurse $75.11 $3,004 $13,020 $156,220
Nurse Administrator $63.14 $2,526 $10,950 $131,340
Nurse Consultant $68.53 $2,741 $11,880 $142,550
Nurse Manager $66.35 $2,654 $11,500 $138,000
Nurse Navigator $55.69 $2,228 $9,650 $115,830
Nurse Recruiter $63.17 $2,527 $10,950 $131,390
Occupational Health Nurse $59.57 $2,383 $10,330 $123,900
Oncology Nurse $65.78 $2,631 $11,400 $136,830
Orthopedic Nurse $72.50 $2,900 $12,570 $150,810
Pain Management Nurse $70.70 $2,828 $12,260 $147,060
Pediatric Nurse $55.51 $2,220 $9,620 $115,460
Psychiatric Nurse $67.69 $2,708 $11,730 $140,790
Public Health Nurse $52.06 $2,083 $9,020 $108,290
Radiology Nurse $61.72 $2,469 $10,700 $128,380
Rehabilitation Nurse $62.00 $2,480 $10,750 $128,950
School Nurse $45.75 $1,830 $7,930 $95,160
Staff Nurse $56.38 $2,255 $9,770 $117,260
Surgical Nurse $74.87 $2,995 $12,980 $155,730
Telemetry Nurse $53.48 $2,139 $9,270 $111,230



WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST-PAYING JOBS FOR REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?


The highest-paid registered nurses in Los Angeles are ICU nurses ($158,820 or 27 percent higher than the average LA RN salary in all practice settings), neonatal RNs ($156,220 or 25 percent), surgical RNs($155,730 or 24 percent), and labor and delivery RNs ($155,170 or 24 percent.) Other top earners among Los Angeles-based registered nurses include geriatric RNs ($154,880 or 24 percent), orthopedic RNs ($150,810 or 20 percent), and pain management RNs ($147,060 or 17 percent.)

Rank Job Title Average Annual Salary
1 ICU Nurse $158,820
2 Neonatal Nurse $156,220
3 Surgical Nurse $155,730
4 Labor And Delivery Nurse $155,170
5 Geriatric Nurse $154,880
6 Orthopedic Nurse $150,810
7 Pain Management Nurse $147,060
8 ER Nurse $146,340
9 Cardiac Nurse $143,390
10 Nurse Consultant $142,550



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE RN SALARY IN THE NATION: WHO EARNS MORE?


The average registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is 40 percent higher than the average salary for registered nurses throughout the U.S. as a whole: $125,350 versus $89,010.

Los Angeles RNNational RN Difference
Number %
$125,350 $89,010+$36,340+40.83%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE RN SALARY IN CALIFORNIA: WHO EARNS MORE?


As high as registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is, nurses throughout all parts of California earn more on average: $125,350 versus $133,340.

Los Angeles RNCalifornia RN Difference
Number %
$125,350$133,340-$7,990-5.99%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE SALARIES OF OTHER NURSING CAREERS IN LOS ANGELES: WHO EARNS MORE?


Registered nurses fall right in the middle of LA’s nursing sector so far as employment compensation goes. The average RN salary in Los Angeles is 53 percent less than the average salary for an LA-based nurse anesthetist ($125,350 versus $268,850) and 15 percent less than the average salary for an LA-based nurse practitioner ($125,350 versus $149,110.) But registered nurses make 83 percent more than licensed vocational nurses in that city ($125,350 versus $68,530) and nearly three times as much as nursing assistants ($125,350 versus $42,620.)

Rank Job Title Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
1 Nurse Anesthetist $268,850 -$143,500 -53.38%
2 Nurse Midwife $169,190 -$43,840 -25.91%
3 Nurse Practitioner $149,110 -$23,760 -15.93%
4 Registered Nurse $125,350 $0 0.00%
5 Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary $103,370 +$21,980 +21.26%
6 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse $68,530 +$56,820 +82.91%
7 Nursing Assistant $42,620 +$82,730 +194.11%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE SALARIES OF OTHER HEALTHCARE CAREERS IN LOS ANGELES: WHO EARNS MORE?


Registered nurse salaries rank close to the top of the healthcare worker salary range in Los Angeles. The only healthcare workers in LA who earn more than registered nurses are physician assistants, who earn 10 percent more than RNs ($138,360.) Registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is 36 percent higher than the average respiratory therapist salary ($92,010), 53 percent more than the average cardiovascular technologist salary ($81,929), and nearly twice the average salary of medical assistants and emergency medical technicians ($43,880 and $43,590 respectively.)

Rank Job Title Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
1 Physician Assistant $138,360 -$13,010 -9.40%
2 Registered Nurse $125,350 $0 0.00%
3 Radiation Therapist $123,600 +$1,750 +1.42%
4 Dental Hygienist $111,860 +$13,490 +12.06%
5 Diagnostic Medical Sonographer $107,890 +$17,460 +16.18%
6 Respiratory Therapist $92,010 +$33,340 +36.24%
7 Respiratory Therapist $92,010 +$33,340 +36.24%
8 Radiologic Technologist $89,000 +$36,350 +40.84%
9 Cardiovascular Technologist $81,920 +$43,430 +53.02%
10 Physical Therapist Assistant $77,750 +$47,600 +61.22%
11 Dietitian and Nutritionist $68,660 +$56,690 +82.57%
12 Medical Assistant $43,880 +$81,470 +185.67%
13 Emergency Medical Technician $43,590 +$81,760 +187.57%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE RN SALARY IN OTHER CITIES IN CALIFORNIA: WHO EARNS MORE?


As generous as the average registered nurse salary in Los Angeles appears to be, it’s actually on the low side where registered nursing salaries in California are concerned. The average RN salary in Los Angeles is 24 percent lower than the average RN salary in San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay cities of Oakland and Hayward ($164,760.) It’s 22 percent lower than RN salaries in the Silicon Valley cities of San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara ($160,020.) And it’s 14 percent lower than salaries in Sacramento, the capital of the Golden State ($145,230.)

But RNs’ average earnings in the City of the Angels are 2 percent higher than in nearby Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura and 26 percent higher than in El Centro, close to the shared border with Mexico.

Rank City Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
1 San Francisco $164,760 -$39,410 -23.92%
2 Oakland $164,760 -$39,410 -23.92%
3 Hayward $164,760 -$39,410 -23.92%
4 San Jose $160,020 -$34,670 -21.67%
5 Sunnyvale $160,020 -$34,670 -21.67%
6 Santa Clara $160,020 -$34,670 -21.67%
7 Vallejo $158,340 -$32,990 -20.83%
8 Santa Rosa $151,150 -$25,800 -17.07%
9 Santa Cruz $149,750 -$24,400 -16.29%
10 Watsonville $149,750 -$24,400 -16.29%
11 Napa $146,400 -$21,050 -14.38%
12 Sacramento $145,230 -$19,880 -13.69%
13 Roseville $145,230 -$19,880 -13.69%
14 Arden-Arcade $145,230 -$19,880 -13.69%
15 Modesto $138,510 -$13,160 -9.50%
16 Stockton $130,370 -$5,020 -3.85%
17 Chico $126,420 -$1,070 -0.85%
18 San Luis Obispo $125,430 -$80 -0.06%
19 Paso Robles $125,430 -$80 -0.06%
20 Arroyo Grande $125,430 -$80 -0.06%
21 Los Angeles $125,350 $0 0.00%
22 Long Beach $125,350 $0 0.00%
23 Anaheim $125,350 $0 0.00%
24 Fresno $123,370 +$1,980 +1.60%
25 Yuba City $122,290 +$3,060 +2.50%
26 Oxnard $122,260 +$3,090 +2.53%
27 Thousand Oaks $122,260 +$3,090 +2.53%
28 Ventura $122,260 +$3,090 +2.53%
29 Redding $121,730 +$3,620 +2.97%
30 Riverside $121,470 +$3,880 +3.19%
31 San Bernardino $121,470 +$3,880 +3.19%
32 Ontario $121,470 +$3,880 +3.19%
33 Salinas $121,030 +$4,320 +3.57%
34 Bakersfield $118,170 +$7,180 +6.08%
35 San Diego $117,830 +$7,520 +6.38%
36 Carlsbad $117,830 +$7,520 +6.38%
37 Merced $117,730 +$7,620 +6.47%
38 Santa Maria $115,170 +$10,180 +8.84%
39 Santa Barbara $115,170 +$10,180 +8.84%
40 Visalia $113,920 +$11,430 +10.03%
41 El Centro $99,280 +$26,070 +26.26%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



AVERAGE RN SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. AVERAGE RN SALARY IN OTHER LARGE CITIES IN THE NATION: WHO EARNS MORE?


Registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is higher than registered nurse salary in any major U.S. city outside California. It’s 20 percent higher than the average salary for registered nurses working across New York State (where the average RN salary is $104,860) and 35 percent higher than it is for registered nurses working in the District of Columbia, the U.S. capital ($92,800.) It’s 53 percent higher than RN salaries in Detroit ($82,000) and Milwaukee ($82,040.) The differential between RN salary in Los Angeles and RN salary in Memphis is the greatest in the nation: $74,450 or 68 percent.

Rank City Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number %
1 San Francisco, CA $164,760 -$39,410 -23.92%
2 Oakland, CA $164,760 -$39,410 -23.92%
3 San Jose, CA $160,020 -$34,670 -21.67%
4 Sacramento, CA $145,230 -$19,880 -13.69%
5 Los Angeles, CA $125,350 $0 0.00%
6 Long Beach, CA $125,350 $0 0.00%
7 Fresno, CA $123,370 +$1,980 +1.60%
8 Bakersfield, CA $118,170 +$7,180 +6.08%
9 San Diego, CA $117,830 +$7,520 +6.38%
10 Portland, OR $111,610 +$13,740 +12.31%
11 Boston, MA $106,980 +$18,370 +17.17%
12 Seattle, WA $105,540 +$19,810 +18.77%
13 New York, NY $104,860 +$20,490 +19.54%
14 Las Vegas, NV $97,680 +$27,670 +28.33%
15 Washington, DC $92,800 +$32,550 +35.08%
16 Minneapolis, MN $92,190 +$33,160 +35.97%
17 Atlanta, GA $90,270 +$35,080 +38.86%
18 Baltimore, MD $89,510 +$35,840 +40.04%
19 Houston, TX $88,880 +$36,470 +41.03%
20 Dallas, TX $87,850 +$37,500 +42.69%
21 Fort Worth, TX $87,850 +$37,500 +42.69%
22 Arlington, TX $87,850 +$37,500 +42.69%
23 Philadelphia, PA $87,830 +$37,520 +42.72%
24 Denver, CO $87,790 +$37,560 +42.78%
25 Phoenix, AZ $87,410 +$37,940 +43.40%
26 Mesa, AZ $87,410 +$37,940 +43.40%
27 Albuquerque, NM $87,240 +$38,110 +43.68%
28 Austin, TX $86,720 +$38,630 +44.55%
29 Chicago, IL $85,260 +$40,090 +47.02%
30 Tucson, AZ $83,590 +$41,760 +49.96%
31 San Antonio, TX $83,040 +$42,310 +50.95%
32 Colorado Springs, CO $82,750 +$42,600 +51.48%
33 Milwaukee, WI $82,040 +$43,310 +52.79%
34 Detroit, MI $82,000 +$43,350 +52.87%
35 Miami, FL $81,810 +$43,540 +53.22%
36 Louisville, KY $81,280 +$44,070 +54.22%
37 Columbus, OH $80,700 +$44,650 +55.33%
38 Indianapolis, IN $80,450 +$44,900 +55.81%
39 Tampa, FL $79,920 +$45,430 +56.84%
40 Tulsa, OK $79,710 +$45,640 +57.26%
41 Charlotte, NC $79,530 +$45,820 +57.61%
42 Virginia Beach, VA $79,450 +$45,900 +57.77%
43 Raleigh, NC $78,670 +$46,680 +59.34%
44 Jacksonville, FL $78,490 +$46,860 +59.70%
45 Oklahoma City, OK $77,350 +$48,000 +62.06%
46 Nashville, TN $77,240 +$48,110 +62.29%
47 Kansas City, MO $76,580 +$48,770 +63.69%
48 El Paso, TX $75,630 +$49,720 +65.74%
49 Omaha, NE $75,250 +$50,100 +66.58%
50 Memphis, TN $74,450 +$50,900 +68.37%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



HOW MUCH HAS THE REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES GROWN IN THE LAST 5 YEARS (2017-2022)?


Between 2018 and 2022, registered nurses’ salaries in LA grew by 34 percent. RN salary growth was fairly consistent at an average rate of 6.4 percent in 2018, 2019, and 2020; however, growth dipped to a rate of 2.6 percent in 2021 (possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) In 2022, though, Los Angeles-based nurses saw their monetary compensation grow by nearly 8 percent.

Year Average
Annual Salary
Growth
Number %
2018 $99,930 +$6,130 +6.54%
2019 $106,190 +$6,260 +6.26%
2020 $113,120 +$6,930 +6.53%
2021 $116,110 +$2,990 +2.64%
2022 $125,350 +$9,240 +7.96%
Overall Growth in the Last Five Years + $31,550 + 33.64%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)



HOW MUCH IS THE REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES PROJECTED TO GROW IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS (2022-2027)?


Salary growth for registered nurses in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area is expected to continue over the next five years by annual increments of 3.5 percent, 3.8 percent, 4.6 percent, 5 percent, and 5.6 percent in 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively. By 2027, registered nurse salary in Los Angeles is projected to be 24.6 percent higher than it is today.

Year Average
Annual Salary
Growth
Number %
2023 $129,810 +$4,460 +3.56%
2024 $134,770 +$4,960 +3.82%
2025 $141,020 +$6,250 +4.64%
2026 $148,050 +$7,030 +4.99%
2027 $156,120 +$8,070 +5.45%
Overall Growth in the Next Five Years +$30,770 +24.55%



WHAT HOSPITALS ARE HIRING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?


USC Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical, and the Keck Hospital of USC are the four hospitals in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area with the largest number of patient beds, so it’s not surprising that they also employ the largest number of Los Angeles-based nurses.

Rank Hospital
1 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
2 LAC + USC Medical Center
3 Los Angeles Medical Center
4 Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
5 CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
6 Adventist Health White Memorial
7 PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital
8 The Keck Hospital of USC
9 California Hospital Medical Center
10 West Los Angeles Medical Center



WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?


Over the next decade, employment opportunities for registered nurses in Los Angeles are projected to increase by 11 percent.

2020-30
+10.81%
(Source: careeronestop.org)



BONUS! CAN A REGISTERED NURSE LIVE COMFORTABLY IN LOS ANGELES? – MY PERSONAL OPINION


California is the fourth-most expensive state in the country to live in, and Los Angeles is one of the Golden State’s costliest cities: The cost of living in Los Angeles is 51 percent higher than it is in other parts of the nation. So, while your salary as an LA-based nurse is 40 percent higher than the average RN salary across the U.S., you may still be scrambling to make ends meet in the City of the Angels. Yes, you can live comfortably—but you probably won’t be able to live extravagantly.



MY FINAL THOUGHTS


This article has given you an answer to the question: How much does a registered nurse make in Los Angeles, California? While LA-based registered nurses are compensated very generously—as we have seen, RN salary in Los Angeles for 2025 is higher than RN salary in any major city outside California—nevertheless, LA is a costly place to live. That means that while your registered nursing salary in Los Angeles may be high, its actual purchasing power may be less than a lower salary in a city with a lower cost of living. There are many other reasons to live in Los Angeles, too, of course, and if those reasons are compelling enough, then living in LA and working as an RN there makes excellent sense.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY OUR EXPERT


1. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A NEW GRAD REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER HOUR IN LOS ANGELES?

New RN graduates in LA can anticipate earning $40.33 an hour at their first jobs.

$40.33


2. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A NEW GRAD REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER WEEK IN LOS ANGELES?

RNs fresh out of school can expect to make $1,613 in a typical week at their job in Los Angeles.

$1,613


3. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A NEW GRAD REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER MONTH IN LOS ANGELES?

An entry-level registered nurse in LA typically earns $6,990 in a month.

$6,990


4. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A NEW GRAD REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER YEAR IN LOS ANGELES?

At their first jobs out of nursing school, registered nurses in Los Angeles can look forward to earning $83,890 annually.

$83,890


5. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER HOUR IN LOS ANGELES?

The average registered nurse salary per hour in Los Angeles is $60.26.

$60.26


6. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER WEEK IN LOS ANGELES?

On average, an RN in LA earns $2,411 a week.

$2,411


7. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER MONTH IN LOS ANGELES?

The average monthly earnings of a Los Angeles-based nurse are $10,450.

$10,450


8. ON AVERAGE, HOW MUCH DOES A REGISTERED NURSE MAKE PER YEAR IN LOS ANGELES?

In a typical year, a registered nurse in Los Angeles will make $125,350.

$125,350


9. ADN REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES VS. BSN REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN LOS ANGELES: WHO EARNS MORE?

If you’re a registered nurse in Los Angeles, earning a BSN will give you a competitive edge in terms of salary. LA-based RNs with BSNs earn 15 percent more than LA-based RNs who do not have that academic degree ($130,910 versus $114,080.)

ADN SalaryBSN SalaryHow Much More Will a BSN Earn
$114,080$130,910+$16,830


10. HOW MUCH DO RN TRAVEL NURSES MAKE IN LOS ANGELES?

Traveling registered nurses clean up in Los Angeles. They earn $169,220 a year on average, which comes to $81.35 an hour, $3,254 a week, or $14,100 a month.

Hourly$81.36
Weekly$3,254
Monthly$14,100
Annual$169,220


11. ARE REGISTERED NURSES IN DEMAND IN LOS ANGELES?

Yes, registered nurses are in demand throughout the Los Angeles area, and it’s likely that demand will continue, although it won’t be as high as it is right now. Los Angeles is an excellent place for RNs to live and work, so it’s reasonable to project that the nurse supply in LA will increase more rapidly than it will in other U.S. cities.


12. IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF REGISTERED NURSES IN LOS ANGELES?

Yes, there is currently a shortage of RNs in the Los Angeles area.


13. IS BECOMING A REGISTERED NURSE WORTH IT IN LOS ANGELES?

As noted above, even with your high salary as an LA-based registered nurse, you may find yourself living frugally because Los Angeles’s cost of living is so high. It’s worth it to become an RN in LA if other things draw you to the area, but don’t expect your nursing career to make you rich.


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.