How much does a registered nurse make in Santa Cruz?
$171,000a year
Median yearly pay for registered nurses in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $82.19 an hour or $14,250 a month.
- Hourly
- $82.19
- Vs. national median
- +75%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 380
- Jobs in the area
- 1,750
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $97,980Median: $171,000Highest 10%: $210,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $97,980 | $47.11 | |
| 25th | $122,300 | $58.80 | |
| Median | $171,000 | $82.19 | |
| 75th | $210,400 | $101.13 | |
| 90th | $210,900 | $101.38 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for registered nurses.
| San Jose, CA | $216,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $203,300 |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,600 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $174,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $171,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | $149,300 |
| San Diego, CA | $139,500 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $138,800 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $137,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $135,600 |
| Salinas, CA | $134,900 |
| Stockton, CA | $134,600 |
| Redding, CA | $134,400 |
| Riverside, CA | $133,900 |
| Modesto, CA | $132,600 |
| Merced, CA | $131,600 |
| Oxnard, CA | $131,200 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $128,800 |
| Hanford, CA | $128,200 |
| Chico, CA | $127,400 |
| Fresno, CA | $125,400 |
| Visalia, CA | $125,200 |
| El Centro, CA | $103,500 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $431,000 |
| Physician | $305,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $291,900 |
| Dentist | $176,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,200 |
| Veterinarian | $164,800 |
| Pharmacist | $161,900 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,000 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,900 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $82.19 ($171,000 a year).
Do registered nurses make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $171,000 against $97,550 nationally, 75% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $140,300, so Santa Cruz pays 22% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for registered nurse pay?
6 of 380 metro areas with data.
How much does a registered nurse make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $97,980 or less a year; the top 10% make $210,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.