California Nurse Practitioner Salary 2023

California is an attractive place to become a Nurse Practitioner. The state has it all; beaches, mountains, vibrant cities, and the right population. California is one of the top-paying states for nursing and offers a promising career outlook with high employment demand and salary potential.

In this article, you will learn what California Nurse Practitioners do, their salaries, job outlook, and how to become an NP in California.

What do California Nurse Practitioners do?

A Nurse Practitioner(NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed either a master’s or doctoral degree. NPs may be prepared in a variety of specialties:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Adult NP
Acute Care NP
Outpatient NP
Geriatric NP
Women’s Healthcare NP
Academic NP

The responsibilities of a Nurse Practitioner include:

Diagnose, treat, evaluate, and manage acute and chronic illness and disease (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
Obtain medical histories and conduct physical examinations
Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies (e.g., routine lab tests, x-rays, EKGs)
Prescribe physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments
Prescribe and furnish medications for acute and chronic illness
Provide prenatal care and family plan services
Provide child wellness care, including screening and immunizations
Provide primary, specialty, and health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals and certifying disability
Provide care for patients in acute and critical care settings
Perform or assist in minor surgeries and procedures (e.g., dermatological biopsies, suturing, casting)
Counsel and educate patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options

How much does a California nurse practitioner make?

The average Nurse Practitioner salary in California is $129,123 as of May 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $119,815 and $140,271.

Salaries by years of experience in California

Years of Experience	Hourly	Monthly	Annual
Starting (Entry-Level)	$51.59	$8,940	$107,310
1-4 Years of Experience	$56.84	$9,850	$118,220
5-9 Years of Experience	$65.13	$11,290	$135,480
10-19 Years of Experience	$79.39	$13,760	$165,140
20 Years or More Experience	>$100	>$17,330	>$208,000

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

California Nurse Practitioner salaries vary widely depending on the region of the state and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

The table below shows the highest paying cities in California for nurse practitioners

City	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
San Mateo	$133,522	$11,127	$2,568	$64.19
Stanford	$133,175	$11,098	$2,561	$64.03
Daly City	$131,275	$10,940	$2,525	$63.11
Berkeley	$131,202	$10,934	$2,523	$63.08
Irvine	$127,414	$10,618	$2,450	$61.26
Richmond	$125,001	$10,417	$2,404	$60.10
Orange	$123,851	$10,321	$2,382	$59.54
Oxnard	$123,813	$10,318	$2,381	$59.53
Merced	$123,550	$10,296	$2,376	$59.40
Monterey	$123,411	$10,284	$2,373	$59.33

Source: ziprecruiter.com

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California Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook

In California, the number of Nurse Practitioners is expected to grow much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations according to labormarketinfo. Jobs for Nurse Practitioners are expected to increase by 30.5 percent or 4,600 jobs between 2018 and 2028.