Nurse Practitioner Salary in San Rafael, CA: $174,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in San Rafael, CA earns a median $174,328/year (≈ $83.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $154,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nurse practitioners in San Rafael, California, experience a competitive salary landscape. The projected median annual income for 2026 is $174,328, reflecting a robust demand for advanced practice providers in the region. Comparatively, this figure is significantly higher than the national median of $136,864, underscoring San Rafael's attractive compensation levels. Salaries here range from $133,945 at the 10th percentile to $225,156 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide discrepancy in earnings potential largely influenced by specialty focus. With the varying complexities of patient care across different roles—such as those in psychiatric-mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), and family practice (FNP)—earnings can significantly differ. These 2026 salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the promising financial outlook tailored to the unique healthcare needs of San Rafael, CA.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($164,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $133,945 | $64.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,610 | $74.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,328 | $83.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,848 | $98.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,156 | $108.25 |
Median Salary Position
27.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,211 (2026 est.). At $174,328, the local median is 27.37% above the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $174,328/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $171,751 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +27.37% more |
Nurse Practitioners in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $174,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.37% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 1.50% above the California state average of $171,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,328 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,136 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$139,881
2025 BLS Actual
$168,514
2026 Current Est.
$174,328
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $139,881 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $153,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $154,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $160,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $188,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $139,881 (2019) to $168,514 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,461 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $133,945 – $154,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,610 – $174,328 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,328 – $204,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,848 – $225,156 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in San Rafael
Analyzing the local market dynamics reveals a modest employment figure with only 11 nurse practitioners currently working in the area. This saturation suggests an opportunity for those entering this field to differentiate themselves by considering various employment avenues such as hospital outpatient clinics, primary care practices, or telehealth platforms. The higher cost of living, reflected in a CoL index of 113.1, does impact take-home pay, necessitating strategic employment choices to maximize earnings. Employers that offer lucrative compensation often include specialized clinics where focused skills—particularly in psychology or urgent care—are in high demand, enhancing pay through productivity bonuses or incentive structures. To further boost income, NPs should explore side jobs in telehealth or advance their qualifications through AANP or ANCC certifications, capitalizing on the full-practice authority available in California to extend their practice capabilities and increase their market value in this vibrant healthcare environment.
More salary data for San Rafael, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $168,514 for nurse practitionersin the San Rafael metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for San Rafael is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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