How Much Does an NP Make in California in 2026?

A typical NP in California earns about $81.02 per hour, or $168,520 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $14,043 a month and $3,241 a week. That figure describes typical pay in the field, not a fixed starting wage.

That pay is 27% above the national typical rate of $132,300 a year, and California ranks #1 among all 51 states measured for NP pay. The state employs 25,120 nurse practitioners, compared with 323,040 nationwide. That scale means California's pay figures reflect a sizable, well-established workforce rather than a small sample of jobs.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $57.86 an hour, or about $120,340 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical rate of $168,520 within the first few years on the job. New NPs often start in this range while building clinical hours and experience in a specific setting.

Experienced NPs in California often earn upwards of $100.65 an hour, or around $209,350 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $240,830. The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $120,490 a year. Setting, years on the job, and city all factor into where an individual NP lands within that range.

California's typical NP pay rose from $118,000 in 2015 to $168,520 in 2025, a gain of $50,520. That amounts to a 43% increase over the decade, according to the same wage data series. Pay climbed most sharply between 2020 and 2023, adding tens of thousands of dollars in just a few years.

That 43% rise outpaces the national decade gain of 35% over the same period. Pay for NPs in California has moved up each year since 2015, with no year showing a decline. For someone entering the field now, that history shows a steady upward pattern, though it makes no promise about future years.

NP pay runs highest in San Jose, where the typical rate reaches $231,560 a year (these figures cover the wider metro area), about 37% above the statewide figure. Oakland and San Francisco follow closely, with typical pay of $219,080 a year in that metro area. Pay in the Bay Area consistently outpaces the rest of the state.

At the other end, Ventura typically pays $148,800 a year, the lowest figure among California's metro areas covered here, a spread of $82,760 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Anaheim, which includes Long Beach and Los Angeles, employs the largest NP workforce in the state at 10,060 positions. Higher pay in costlier metro areas like San Jose and San Francisco tends to track higher local living expenses.

Compared with its neighbors, California pays NPs well above the region. Oregon's typical pay is $155,680 a year, 8% below California, while Arizona and Nevada run lower still, at $134,420 and $140,670 (20% and 17% below California, respectively). NPs considering a move can often transfer or endorse their license into a neighboring state rather than starting the credentialing process from scratch.

NPs in California typically earn $168,520 a year, a figure that has climbed 43% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $120,340 up to $240,830 for the top 10% of earners. For specific requirements, check California's board of nursing licensing page; for local figures, see the city-level pay pages for California.