Nurse Practitioner Pay

Gilroy vs San Diego: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Gilroy, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gilroy, CA
$171,891
$82.64/hr
San Diego, CA
$169,513
$81.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGilroy, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$171,891$169,513
Hourly Rate$82.64$81.50
Entry Level (P10)$128,311$135,913
25th Percentile$149,496$140,082
75th Percentile$198,964$187,369
Top Earner (P90)$234,825$223,080
Total Employed102,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gilroy ($171,891) and San Diego ($169,513) nurse practitioner salaries.GilroySan DiegoMedian Salary$171,891$169,513Entry Level (P10)$128,311$135,913Top Earner (P90)$234,825$223,080US Median $136,864

Verdict

Gilroy, CA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Gilroy and San Diego is $2,378 (1.40%). Gilroy's median is +25.59% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gilroy spans $106,514,San Diego spans $87,167. Gilroy has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gilroy
P10 (Entry)$128,311
P25$149,496
Median$171,891
P75$198,964
P90 (Top)$234,825
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$135,913
P25$140,082
Median$169,513
P75$187,369
P90 (Top)$223,080

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gilroy ($151,981 effective) pays 0.32% more than San Diego ($151,504 effective).

Gilroy
Nominal: $171,891
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $151,981
San Diego
Nominal: $169,513
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $151,504

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gilroy if…

  • Higher median salary ($171,891/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($234,825)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,981)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Gilroy grew -10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.7% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Gilroy, CA

+-10.5%

$185,561 (2024) → $166,159 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+33.7%

$122,580 (2019) → $163,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Gilroy or San Diego?

Gilroy has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $171,891/year, compared to San Diego at $169,513/year — a difference of $2,378 (1.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gilroy and San Diego?

Gilroy nurse practitioners earn $82.64/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $81.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gilroy to San Diego as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gilroy and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gilroy = $151,981, San Diego = $151,504), job availability (10 vs 2,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Gilroy vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $128,311 in Gilroy and $135,913 in San Diego. The San Diego area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov