If you’re looking for nursing jobs in San Diego, you’ll find opportunities across some of the nation’s leading healthcare systems and some of the highest salaries in the country. Known as the birthplace of California, the city is a prime location for nurses seeking to live and work with ample access to nature, idyllic weather, and excellent food and drink.
As a nurse practicing in San Diego, you’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities across full-time, part-time, contract, and per diem roles. You can also explore the opportunities in nearby locations, such as:
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs: San Diego
Is California a compact state? No. Learn more about it in our article on the California Nurse Practice Act.
How much do nurses make in San Diego? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area by license/certification:
- NP salary: $164,870
- RN salary: $145,060
- LVN salary: $81,130
- CNA salary: $49,780
Where can I find information about RN license requirements in California? You can visit the California Board of Registered Nursing for up-to-date information. If your license is up for renewal, check out our guide to CA nursing license renewals. And if you’re just getting started, our step-by-step guide on how to become an RN in CA can help you navigate the process.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in San Diego
Almost 1.4 million people live in California’s second-biggest city. In order to provide quality care to all those residents, skilled professionals are in demand to fill San Diego nursing jobs. Check out the latest opportunities for the following roles:
So, whom will you be caring for? Don’t be surprised to find more than a few current and retired members of the armed forces on your list of patients. San Diego has one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the country. Around 115,000 active duty service members and 230,500 veterans reside here.
Among the military and civilian populations in San Diego, the median age is 35.4; people ages 65 and over make up around 14.6% of residents, and there are roughly equal numbers of women and men. Around 46% are married, and 34.9% of married couples have kids.
Cultural competency will go a long way when you’re applying to nursing jobs — San Diego has a diverse demographic. Just over 30% of residents are of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity; 17% are Asian; and 6% are Black. If you’re a bilingual nursing professional, you’ll have an advantage over other job candidates who only speak English.
Working in San Diego
Healthcare and social assistance are among the major industry sectors in the region. Explore openings at leading medical systems across the area, including:
In addition to hospitals and clinics offering nursing jobs in San Diego, more than 80 nursing homes and 115 assisted living communities are also in need of your expertise in order to provide quality care to patients and residents.
Specialty Nursing Jobs in San Diego
Ready to put your specialized nursing skills to work? Explore opportunities across San Diego’s leading healthcare systems.
- Emergency room nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Home health nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Hospice nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- ICU nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Infusion nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Med-surg nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Mother-baby nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- NICU nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Oncology nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Outpatient nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- PCU nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Pediatric nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
- Psych nursing jobs in San Diego, CA
Living in San Diego
San Diego makes it easy to enjoy nature and culture simultaneously. In minutes, you can go from downtown to Balboa Park, an oasis of 1,000 acres that comprises 15 museums and theaters, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and 16 unique gardens. Stroll in the Japanese Friendship Garden, take in a production at the Old Globe Theatre, have a picnic, or devise your own perfect afternoon. It’s all possible thanks to a free tram that shuttles visitors to different spots throughout the park.
If you love the water, not only do you have your pick of beautiful beaches, but you also have access to Mission Bay Aquatic Park, the largest aquatic park in the country, for kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. Get even closer to nature with a walk among the pines and sandstone canyons at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Park.
For day trips, don’t miss Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park, featuring 12 wilderness areas spread over 900 miles. Just east of San Diego is Mission Trails Regional Park, where you can hike, bike, ride horses, and rock climb.
When it’s time to unwind, you have many (delicious) options. San Diego is among the top food cities in the country, thanks to being at the intersection of two vibrant cuisines: California and Baja-Mediterranean. There are also more than 100 breweries and 140 wineries in the county — destinations unto themselves.
Find Great Nursing Jobs in San Diego on Credenza
Ready to take the next step in your career? We can help. Find out how Credenza can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.
