How much do Trauma nurses make in California?

Across 6 live Trauma postings in California that state pay, the median offer is $140,847 a year. The middle half runs $131,064–$143,026, and the top 10% start at $201,734.

Is California a good state for Trauma nurses?

On posted pay, California ranks #1 of 4 states for Trauma. The median there is 42% above the national Trauma median of $99,320. Pay is one axis — shift, ratios, and cost of living decide whether the job is worth it.

Where do these numbers come from?

Midpoint of stated salary ranges on live nursing job postings; values outside $20,000–$800,000/yr treated as parse artifacts and excluded; groups under 5 postings suppressed. Headline figures blend every employment type; `employmentTypes` splits the same postings into staff, travel, PRN and agency bands, each annualized on the posting's own stated terms (weekly travel rates at 52 weeks), so a rate is only ever ranked against its own band. Community-reported figures are anonymous, unverified, and reported separately.

Trauma nurse pay in California

$140,847median posted offer#1 of 4 states for Trauma

Trauma nurses in California are being offered a median $140,847 a year across 6 live postings that state pay — 42% above the national Trauma median of $99,320. Updated September 10, 2026.

Where does your pay sit in Trauma in California?

Checked against 6 live postings that state pay. Your number stays in your browser.

Enter your pay to see your percentile.

Posted offers on live listings — not take-home pay or a promise of what any one nurse will earn.

Other specialties in California

Or see all nurse pay in California (2,862 postings), or Trauma pay across every state.

What to do with this

Want the craft behind the numbers — differentials, negotiating, travel packages? Read the pay & salary guides.

Questions nurses ask

How much do Trauma nurses make in California?: Across 6 live Trauma postings in California that state pay, the median offer is $140,847 a year. The middle half runs $131,064–$143,026, and the top 10% start at $201,734.
Is California a good state for Trauma nurses?: On posted pay, California ranks #1 of 4 states for Trauma. The median there is 42% above the national Trauma median of $99,320. Pay is one axis — shift, ratios, and cost of living decide whether the job is worth it.
Where do these numbers come from?: Midpoint of stated salary ranges on live nursing job postings; values outside $20,000–$800,000/yr treated as parse artifacts and excluded; groups under 5 postings suppressed. Headline figures blend every employment type; `employmentTypes` splits the same postings into staff, travel, PRN and agency bands, each annualized on the posting's own stated terms (weekly travel rates at 52 weeks), so a rate is only ever ranked against its own band. Community-reported figures are anonymous, unverified, and reported separately.