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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Psych Nurse in California is $97,265 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Psych Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Psych Nurse Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $107,723 | $8,977 | $2,072 | $52 |
| Average | $97,265 | $8,105 | $1,870 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,177 | $7,348 | $1,696 | $42 |
Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc - Palmdale, CA
CHP Health - Salinas, CA
CHP Health - Auburn, CA
Telecare - Sacramento, CA
A Psych 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Psych Nurse'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 Psych Nurse | $95,120 |
| Intermediate Level Psych Nurse | $95,372 |
| Senior Level Psych Nurse | $98,744 |
| Specialist Level Psych Nurse | $103,487 |
| Expert Level Psych Nurse | $103,826 |
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 Psych 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 Psych Nurse 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, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Psych Nurse positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Psych Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $116,718 | $56.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Psych 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 | $107,723 | $8,977 | $2,072 | $52 |
| Average | $97,265 | $8,105 | $1,870 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,177 | $7,348 | $1,696 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Psych Nurse job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Telecare
Oakland, CA
Telecare | Oakland, CA
Psych Nurse Practitioner. As a senior member of the clinical team, the Psych Nurse Practitioner provides direct psychiatric care and medication treatment t... more
7 Days Ago
ATC West Healthcare
Sylmar, CA
ATC West Healthcare | Sylmar, CA
Registered Nurse Psych ER Per-diem Needed in Sylmar, CA, USA. Make $851/WeekWork Type:Per-diemPay:$851/WeekLocation:Sylmar, CATitle:Registered Nurse Psych ... more
8 Days Ago
Vista del Mar Hospital
Ventura, CA
Vista del Mar Hospital | Ventura, CA
Psychiatric Nurse. Monitor the unit for patient and staff safety. To deliver quality general/psychiatric nursing care to patients who are hospitalized for ... more
9 Days Ago
MRINetwork
Encino, CA
MRINetwork | Encino, CA
Job Title. Mental Health Home healthcare nurses provide one-on-one care for patients in their homes and may involve wound care, medication management, medi... more
6 Days Ago
Telecare
Riverside, CA
Telecare | Riverside, CA
Psych Nurse Practitioner. As a senior member of the clinical team, the Psych Nurse Practitioner provides direct psychiatric care and medication treatment t... more
8 Days Ago
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Mountain View, CA
Stanford Medicine Children's Health | Mountain View, CA
Company Description. We are proud to inform you that this position is eligible for our Student Loan Assistance Program. You may receive up to $9,600 which ... more
6 Days Ago
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