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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nurse Director in California is $173,068 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.
However, a Nurse Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Nurse Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $189,995 | $15,833 | $3,654 | $91 |
| Average | $173,068 | $14,422 | $3,328 | $83 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,049 | $12,837 | $2,962 | $74 |
Atria Senior Living - Newport Beach, CA
Atria Senior Living - Carmichael, CA
IV Nutrition - Redwood City, CA
Advantis Medical Staffing - Palo Alto, CA
A Nurse Director'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Nurse Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nursing S... Level Nurse Director | $124,882 |
| Nursing M... Level Nurse Director | $146,139 |
| Nurse Dir... Level Nurse Director | $177,031 |
| Nursing D... Level Nurse Director | $217,447 |
| Head of N... Level Nurse Director | $262,693 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Nurse Directors. 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 Nurse Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Nurse Director positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nurse Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $207,682 | $100.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Nurse Director'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 | $189,995 | $15,833 | $3,654 | $91 |
| Average | $173,068 | $14,422 | $3,328 | $83 |
| 25th Percentile | $154,049 | $12,837 | $2,962 | $74 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nurse Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Progeny HR Solutions LLC
San Jose, CA
Progeny HR Solutions LLC | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. Registered Nurse Director - Surgical Services. RN DIR - OR. Full-Time. Registered Nurse Director ca... more
3 Days Ago
Kaiser Permanente
Baldwin Park, CA
Kaiser Permanente | Baldwin Park, CA
Description:Job Summary:In addition to the responsibilities below, this position is also responsible for establishing best practice models. performing stra... more
7 Days Ago
Kaiser Permanente
Woodland Hills, CA
Kaiser Permanente | Woodland Hills, CA
Job Summary:In addition to the responsibilities below, this position is also responsible for establishing best practice models. designing patient care deli... more
7 Days Ago
Tule River Indian Health Center Inc
Porterville, CA
Tule River Indian Health Center Inc | Porterville, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Description. PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE/Outreach director. POSITION SUMMARY. Under the direction of the Medical Directo... more
3 Days Ago
Montage Health
Monterey, CA
Montage Health | Monterey, CA
Assistant Director, Surgical Services. Under the leadership of the Surgical Services Clinical Director, the assistant director collaborates with the Direct... more
3 Days Ago
Jamie Grayem
Temecula, CA
Jamie Grayem | Temecula, CA
Assistant Nurse Director, Intermediate CareTemecula, CA$150,000 - $185,000 +SIGNING BONUSBenefits Paid RelocationFull Time /DaysOverview of OpportunityThis... more
7 Days Ago
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