Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $86.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $86.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $180,038 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $78.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $108,020 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For registered nurses in Santa Cruz, the projected hourly pay of $86.55 stands in stark contrast to the national median of $49.39. This substantial difference considerably benefits those looking to work part-time or on a per-diem basis, especially considering that shifts in hospitals, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics are commonly flexible. RNs opting for a three-day workweek could anticipate substantial earnings during 12-hour shifts, while per-diem nurses could slip into a range between $49.61 to $106.76, significantly impacted by specialization and experience. The BLS data points out that this hourly structure not only offers financial stability but also reflects the high demand for skilled nursing professionals within the vibrant healthcare landscape of Santa Cruz.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.61 | $396.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.92 | $495.38 |
| Median (P50) | $86.55 | $692.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106.51 | $852.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.76 | $854.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $86.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $86.55/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $180,033 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $103,865. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,462.17 | $15,003 | $180,033 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,077.30 | $9,002 | $108,020 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,384.87 | $6,001 | $72,013 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Santa Cruz) | $86.55 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $180,038 per year (2026 est.), which is 75.25% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 26.90% above the California state average of $141,874.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $86.55/hr = $108,020/year (purchasing power: $98,293).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $180,033/year (purchasing power: $163,821).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$68.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$82.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$86.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $79.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $84.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $86.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $82.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Santa Cruz grew 19.6% from $68.72/hr (2019) to $82.19/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $91.15/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Santa Cruz
With part-time work as a viable option, a registered nurse clocking in for three consecutive 12-hour shifts weekly can expect to take home a notable income while maintaining a work-life balance. Per-diem registered nurse pay in Santa Cruz varies widely; RNs can command rates typically around $50-$80 per hour based on their area of expertise. Traveling nurses, in particular, have also capitalized on high demand, with contracts providing income anywhere from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, rising upwards to $5,000-$8,000 for critical care roles in shortage markets. It’s important for nurses to consider employer type—whether working in hospital systems, specialty centers, or home health agencies—as pay scales can fluctuate based on benefits offered. Those willing to accept lower hourly rates may gain access to comprehensive health insurance, making it essential for nurses to negotiate their compensation effectively, weighing both pay and benefits to suit their personal financial needs.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Santa Cruz. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov