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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Neonatal Nurse in California is $80,814 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Neonatal Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Neonatal Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $86,602 | $7,217 | $1,665 | $42 |
| Average | $80,814 | $6,734 | $1,554 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,169 | $5,931 | $1,369 | $34 |
Palm Careers - Los Angeles, CA
Palm Careers - San Francisco, CA
SkyBridge Resources - Apple Valley, CA
Palm Careers - Los Angeles, CA
A Neonatal Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Neonatal Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Neonatal Nurse roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Neonatal Nurse positions in Financial Services or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Neonatal Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $96,977 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $92,936 | $45.0 | 15% |
| MFG Nondurable | $90,511 | $44.0 | 12% |
| Chemicals | $88,895 | $43.0 | 10% |
| Telecom | $87,279 | $42.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Neonatal Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $86,602 | $7,217 | $1,665 | $42 |
| Average | $80,814 | $6,734 | $1,554 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,169 | $5,931 | $1,369 | $34 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Neonatal Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Palm Careers LLC
Los Angeles, CA
Palm Careers LLC | Los Angeles, CA
Palm Health Resources is hiring an experienced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in Los Angeles, CA. Seeking ongoing mix of weekday and we... more
5 Days Ago
SkyBridge Resources
San Diego, CA
SkyBridge Resources | San Diego, CA
Neonatal Registered Nurse Opportunity. SkyBridge Healthcare is currently seeking a Registered Nurse with Neonatal experience for a 13-week contract in San ... more
5 Days Ago
Clinical Management Consultants
San Jose, CA
Clinical Management Consultants | San Jose, CA
Nurse Manager NICU - Lead neonatal care where newborns and families come firstThe Nurse Manager NICU role is your chance to guide a compassionate neonatal ... more
6 Days Ago
Concentric Healthcare
Burbank, CA
Concentric Healthcare | Burbank, CA
Concentric Registered Nurse (Neonatal)Concentric is currently seeking candidates in Registered Nurse profession with focus in Registered Nurse (Neonatal) f... more
6 Days Ago
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
Stanford, CA
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford | Stanford, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class ... more
6 Days Ago
Palm Careers
Los Angeles, CA
Palm Careers | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are bringing on a LOCUM Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) or Physician Assistant to join our team and support a great ... more
6 Days Ago
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