How much does an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) make in California?

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) in California is around $97,446, with an hourly rate of $47, according to Salary.com Global Salary IQ data . This number represents the median. The average salary ranges from $88,410 (25th percentile) to $108,096 (75th percentile). An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)'s salary is shaped by several key factors, including experience level, specific skills, industry differences, company size, and cost-of-living adjustments based on location. Below, we’ll dive deeper into each of these factors to help you understand how they impact compensation.

Use our Salary Calculator to estimate your income potential based on location, experience, education and more.

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MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $108,096 $9,008 $2,079 $52
Average $97,446 $8,120 $1,874 $47
25th Percentile $88,410 $7,368 $1,700 $43

Average Salary

25% $88,410 10% $80,184 90% $117,793 75% $108,096 $97,446 50%(Median)
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What is the hourly rate of an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)?

$88,410
Average
$97,446/year
$108,096
$7,368
Average
$8,120/month
$9,008
$1,700
Average
$1,874/week
$2,079
$43
Average
$47/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,096 $9,008 $2,079 $52
Average $97,446 $8,120 $1,874 $47
25th Percentile $88,410 $7,368 $1,700 $43
Use our Salary Calculator to explore typical earnings for an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), including an hourly rate of $47, weekly pay of $1,874, monthly pay of $8,120, and an annual salary of $97,446. Based on Salary IQ data from real job postings, this tool helps you convert a salary between its hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, and annually.

What is the pay difference between an Entry MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) and an Expert MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)?

Experience and job level are key drivers of an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)'s salary. Entry MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)s earn around $94,479, while Intermediate MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)s make $94,749. Senior MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)s see salaries rise to $98,241, and Expert MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)s can earn up to $103,009. These numbers show a clear trend: as experience grows, so does earning potential. This reflects the IT industry's strong value placed on experience level.
Levels Salary
Entry Level MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) $94,479
Intermediate Level MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) $94,749
Senior Level MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) $98,241
Specialist Level MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) $102,692
Expert Level MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) $103,009
$94,479 0 yr
$94,749 < 2 yrs
$98,241 2-4 yrs
$102,692 5-8 yrs
$103,009 > 8 yrs
Entry Level 3%
Mid Level 3%
Senior Level 1%
Top Level 5%
Experienced 6%
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What state pays the most for MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)s?

From April 01, 2026, District of Columbia offers the highest MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) salaries in the United States, ranging from $88,747 to $108,508 followed by California at $88,410 - $108,096. While these states provide top pay for MSN (Master of Science in Nursing), high living costs impact earnings. Rhode Island and Hawaii offer competitive salaries with lower expenses, making them attractive options for the role.
Rank State Average Salary
1 District of Columbia $97,817
2 California $97,446
3 Massachusetts $96,147
4 Washington $95,794
5 New Jersey $95,758
6 Alaska $95,635
7 Connecticut $94,416
8 New York $93,921
9 Hawaii $92,339
10 Rhode Island $91,597

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