As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for step down nurse in California is $95,214, equivalent to $46 per hour, $1,831 weekly, or $7,935 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for step down nurse in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for step down nurse in California vary widely, spanning from $84,327 to $110,790. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($89,516) and 75th percentile ($103,367), while top earners (90th percentile) make $110,790 per year. This $13,851 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Accountability or Staff Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California step down nurse often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 14 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for step down nurse job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
