Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $81.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in San Diego, CA runs $81.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $169,513 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $72.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $101,709 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $81.50 for nurse practitioners in San Diego, California, the compensation greatly exceeds the national hourly median of $65.80. This elevated rate reflects both the demand for advanced practice nursing in the region and the cost of living index, which is slightly above the national average. For nurse practitioners working part-time—often about three days a week—this hourly rate translates to a significant income potential. Per diem positions within the typical settings, such as primary care exam rooms, outpatient hospitals, urgent care centers, retail clinics, and telehealth platforms, offer flexibility and decent pay, with entry-level practitioners earning around $65.34 per hour, while top earners can make upwards of $107.25 per hour, according to projections from 2025 BLS data.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65.34 | $522.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.35 | $538.77 |
| Median (P50) | $81.50 | $651.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90.08 | $720.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.25 | $857.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $81.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.50/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $169,516 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,797. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,259.92 | $14,126 | $169,516 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,955.95 | $8,476 | $101,709 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,303.97 | $5,651 | $67,806 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (San Diego) | $81.50 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in San Diego, CA earn a median of $169,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.86% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 1.30% below the California state average of $171,746.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.50/hr = $101,709/year (purchasing power: $90,904).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $169,516/year (purchasing power: $151,506).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $75.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in San Diego grew 33.7% from $58.93/hr (2019) to $78.78/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in San Diego
Part-time nurse practitioners working a 24-hour week can anticipate an annual income of about $101,520, reflecting the benefits of flexible scheduling without compromising too much on earnings. Those opting for per diem roles may find agency or locum opportunities appealing, as they can bill anywhere from $80 to $140 per hour, depending on their specialty. Telehealth contractors specializing in psychiatric medication management are particularly lucrative, sometimes reaching pay rates of $150 to $200 per hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type, with retail clinics often offering lower rates compared to hospital outpatient clinics or specialty practices that may provide health benefits. For those considering contract work, timing negotiations to align with “hot” hiring seasons can yield better hourly rates, while understanding the trade-offs between higher pay without health insurance or lower rates with full benefits is essential in making informed decisions about the nurse practitioner hourly pay in San Diego and navigating one’s career path effectively.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in San Diego. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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