Critical ShortageUpdated January 2025

Registered Nurses Market Trends in California

Real-time hiring demand, salary trends, and employment projections for nursing professionals in California. Data-driven insights to help you make informed career and recruiting decisions.

Active Job Openings
42,000
+3,360 from last month
Total Registered Nurses
320,000
Licensed in California
Job Growth Rate
12.5%
Annual projected growth
Average Salary
$124,000
Median annual compensation

2025 Nursing Market Overview: California

California is experiencing a critical nursing shortage with approximately 42,000 unfilled nursing positions across the state. The demand-to-supply ratio indicates a moderate competition environment for nursing job seekers, making this an opportune time for career advancement.

The state currently employs 320,000 licensed registered nurses, with projections showing growth to 520,000 nurses by 2030. This 12.5% annual growth rate is significantly above the national average of 9%.

Healthcare facilities in California are actively recruiting nurses with competitive compensation packages, sign-on bonuses averaging $8,000-$15,000, and enhanced benefits to attract qualified candidates in this competitive market.

Key Factors Driving Nursing Demand

1
Aging population
Contributing to increased demand
2
Nurse retirements
Contributing to increased demand
3
Healthcare expansion
Contributing to increased demand
4
Staffing ratio laws
Contributing to increased demand
5
Population growth
Contributing to increased demand

Top Cities for Nursing Jobs in California

1
Los Angeles
85,000 nurses employed
12,000
open positions
2
San Francisco
35,000 nurses employed
5,200
open positions
3
San Diego
28,000 nurses employed
4,100
open positions
4
Sacramento
22,000 nurses employed
3,400
open positions
5
San Jose
18,000 nurses employed
2,800
open positions

5-Year Employment Projections (2025-2030)

Projected Workforce
520,000
+200,000 nurses
Total Job Openings
231,000
over 5 years
Replacement Needs
48,000
due to retirements

Top Employers Hiring

#1
Kaiser Permanente
#2
Sutter Health
#3
Dignity Health
#4
UCLA Health
#5
Stanford Health Care
#6
Cedars-Sinai

Licensure Requirements

  • ✓California RN License
  • ✓BLS Certification
  • ✓Background Check
  • ✓Fingerprinting
Nurse-to-Patient Ratio:
1:5 (mandated by law)

Quick Market Stats

Demand Index13%
CompetitionModerate
Avg Time to Hire21 days
Sign-on BonusesCommon

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing in California

What is the nursing shortage like in California?

California is experiencing a critical nursing shortage with42,000 unfilled positions. The state projects needing231,000 new nurses over the next 5 years.

What is the average nurse salary in California?

The median annual salary for registered nurses in California is $124,000. Salaries vary by specialty, experience, and location within the state.

Which cities have the most nursing jobs?

Los Angeles leads with 12,000 open positions, followed by San Francisco (5,200 openings) and San Diego (4,100 openings).

What are the licensure requirements?

To practice as a nurse in California, you need: California RN License, BLS Certification, Background Check, Fingerprinting. The state is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.

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