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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursing Unit Manager in California is $96,662 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Nursing Unit Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Nursing Unit Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $100,894 | $8,408 | $1,940 | $49 |
| Average | $96,662 | $8,055 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,236 | $7,103 | $1,639 | $41 |
Creekside Healthcare Center - San Pablo, CA
Palomar Health Rehabilitation Institute - Poway, CA
Sutter Health - San Francisco, CA
Sutter Health - Sacramento, CA
A Nursing Unit Manager'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 Nursing Unit Manager'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nursing Unit Manager | $95,075 |
| Intermediate Level Nursing Unit Manager | $95,551 |
| Senior Level Nursing Unit Manager | $97,138 |
| Specialist Level Nursing Unit Manager | $99,043 |
| Expert Level Nursing Unit Manager | $99,685 |
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 Nursing Unit Managers. 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 Nursing Unit Manager roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Nursing Unit Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursing Unit Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $111,161 | $53.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Nursing Unit Manager'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 | $100,894 | $8,408 | $1,940 | $49 |
| Average | $96,662 | $8,055 | $1,859 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,236 | $7,103 | $1,639 | $41 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nursing Unit Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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