Nursing Jobs in California

Nursing Jobs in California: Overview

As the most populated state in the country, California has more than 39 million residents who need healthcare. You’ll find a plethora of nursing jobs in California in acute care, post-acute care, and long-term care. Credenza can match you with the latest full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, and travel nurse jobs in California. Learn what the Golden State has to offer you both on and off the clock.

Quick Facts About California Nursing Jobs

Does CA belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact? No. You will have to become licensed to work as a nursing professional in California.
How much do nurses make in California? The average annual salary for nurse jobs in California depends on your license/certification:
NP salary in California: $173,190
RN salary in California: $148,330
LVN salary in California: $79,090
CNA salary in California: $48,790
Where can I learn more about CA requirements for nurse licenses? Check out the California Board of Registered Nursing and the Board of Vocational Nursing for the latest information. You can also read our article that breaks down the California nursing license renewal into three easy steps.
What are the most populous cities in California to find nursing jobs? The top five CA cities by population are:
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Jose
San Francisco
Fresno

What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in California

You must have excellent cultural competence before applying to nursing jobs — California is very diverse. It has the largest LGBTQ+ population, as well as the largest veteran population, of any state in the country. Around 40% of residents are Hispanic or Latino, 35% are White, 15% are Asian American or Pacific Islander, 5% are Black, 4% are multiracial, and less than 1% are Native American or Alaska Natives. A language other than English is the primary language in more than 44% of California households, and Spanish is the most common of these languages. If you’re bilingual, be sure to mention this on your nursing resume.

Although California has a young population compared to many other states, it’s estimated that around one in four residents will be 65 or older by 2024. This means prospects for careers in long-term care and post-acute care look promising.

In the state of California, nursing jobs are quite plentiful. To streamline your search for work, look for California nursing jobs according to some of the more popular roles:

Working in California

Since 2017, California has been the fifth largest economy in the world. However, although wages have been increasing and unemployment is low, the fact remains that prices in California are high and nearly 31% of residents are in or near poverty. Nursing professionals employed here would be wise to keep an eye on financial planning to support their future.

Because of the sheer size of California’s population, there are ample opportunities for healthcare professionals at nearly every level. Furthermore, the state is home to many prominent hospitals and medical systems. You can find jobs in facilities such as:

If you instead prefer post-acute jobs, the California Department of Aging has a database that you can use to find skilled nursing facilities throughout the state. You can compare facilities and get information on ownership, licensing and certification status, and more.

Wondering how long it might take you to get to work? The average one-way commute time in CA is nearly 29 minutes — 3 minutes longer than the country’s average. Around 74% of Californians drive solo to work and 5% take mass transit.

If you need help caring for your family while you’re caring for patients, California has many child care resources that you can explore, including financial assistance and early learning programs. Need assistance with your furry friends? The Central California SPCA has some valuable tips for finding pet sitters in the state.

Living in California

When it comes time to settle down, you can find just about any and every type of neighborhood in the Golden State’s 12 regions. You can choose major metropolitan areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles, or retreat to the suburbs or more rural areas to live life at a slower pace.

If you’re someone who loves the great outdoors, it’s hard to beat California in terms of natural beauty, from the majestic redwoods to innumerable beaches to great swaths of mountain ranges to the serenity of the desert. (On the flip side, California is prone to droughts and wildfires, and also earthquakes and flooding.)

The cultural diversity of California is a big draw. Want proof? You don’t need to look further than its food scene, which fuses cuisines from Mexico, Korea, Thailand, France, and beyond. Access to locally grown produce throughout the state means plenty of fresh ingredients are in ample supply.

Culture can also be found in the form of arts and entertainment at some of the finest museums and performance venues in the world. Highlights include the deYoung (San Francisco) and Getty (Los Angeles) collections, and the 17 museums located in Balboa Park (San Diego). There are a number of outdoor performing arts venues that are destinations in and of themselves including the Greek Theater (L.A.), Hollywood Bowl (L.A.), the Redlands Bowl (Redlands), and the Santa Barbara Bowl (Santa Barbara).

California’s annual weather patterns vary tremendously based on what region you’re in. The northern part of the state has more rain than the southern, and the further inland you go, the more you can expect hot, dry summers and chilly winters. Southern California has a Mediterranean climate and boasts the warmest temperatures in the state. The weather along the coast is fairly consistent throughout the year.

For all it offers, California has an extremely high cost of living. Residents pay a lot of money for energy, gas, and insurance, and a housing shortage has further strained their pockets. The upside? Nursing professionals here earn some of the country’s highest salaries.

Find Great California Nursing Jobs on Credenza

Want to find the best nursing jobs in California? We can help. Find out how Credenza can match you with jobs in your specialty area and desired facility type.