Travel Nurse Pay in California
Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for California. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Calculate Your Pay in California
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in California, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay 13.3% state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$98.56
Based on 36 hours in CA.
Gross Weekly Pay
$3,548
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,980
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$739
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,809
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$36,523
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$73,046
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$146,092
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,809
per week
Taxes
$739
per week
Total Gross: $3,548 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$1,050
≈ $4,547/month
Est. 1BR Rent in California
$2,100
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,447
Your stipend covers rent with $2,447 left over each month.
Find apartments under $2,100/month in San Francisco:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
Cost of Living Analysis in California
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. California's cost of living is higher than the national average by 51.7 points.
💡 High cost of living area. Ensure your pay compensates for the increased expenses.
Housing Cost: Very High
Utilities: High
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Average Travel Nurse Pay in California
These are average pay rates for travel nurses in California. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.
Hourly Rate
$55/hr
Weekly Gross
$2,200
Annual
$114,400
GSA Per Diem Rates for California
Lodging
$150/night
Meals
$74/day
Incidentals
$5/day
These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in California.
Tax Information for California
Cost of Living in California
Cost of Living Index
151.7
Above national average
Housing
Very High
Utilities
High
Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in California
These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in California. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.
San Francisco
Avg Pay: $65/hr
Est. Rent: $2,100/mo
View city guide →
Los Angeles
Avg Pay: $58/hr
Est. Rent: $2,100/mo
View city guide →
San Diego
Avg Pay: $56/hr
Est. Rent: $2,100/mo
View city guide →
View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.
California Pay by Nursing Specialty
Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for California:
ICU
~$61/hr in CA
Very High DemandER
~$59/hr in CA
Very High DemandOR
~$62/hr in CA
High DemandLabor & Delivery
~$58/hr in CA
High DemandMed-Surg
~$55/hr in CA
Very High DemandPACU
~$59/hr in CA
High DemandTop Hospitals in California
- UCSF Medical Center
- Cedars-Sinai
- Stanford Health Care
Nursing License Requirements for California
Cost of Living in California
Average 1BR Rent
$2,100/mo
Cost of Living Index
151.7
National avg = 100
Housing Cost
Very High
Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in California. Consider that rent in California is higher than the national average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in California?
Travel nurses in California typically earn between $50 and $65 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $55/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $61-76 per hour.
What are the GSA rates for California?
The GSA per diem rates for California are: Lodging: $150/night, Meals: $74/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).
Is California tax-friendly for travel nurses?
California has a state income tax rate of 13.3%, making it less tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.
What is the cost of living in California?
The cost of living index in California is 151.7, which is above the national average. Housing costs are very high, and utilities are high.
Do I need a separate license to work in California?
California is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so you will need to obtain a separate ${stateData.name} nursing license. The license costs $350 and typically takes 4-6 weeks to process.