What is the average RN salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of August 01, 2026, the average RN salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $133,815. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular RN job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various RN job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
RN Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Staff Nurse - RN II | $102,254 | $49.16 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN III | $118,204 | $56.83 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Occupational Health | $107,358 | $51.61 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse Senior- RN - Occupational Health | $120,872 | $58.11 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Forensic Nurse - RN | $113,027 | $54.34 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Float Nurse - RN | $112,796 | $54.23 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Travel Nurse - RN | $167,501 | $80.53 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Hospice | $105,011 | $50.49 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Geriatric | $92,498 | $44.47 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Burn | $90,773 | $43.64 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
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Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. May require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a valid state Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Staff Nurse - RN II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Registered Nurse - Staff, Registered Nurse (RN), Level 2, Staff Nurse - RN IICategory : Healthcare - Nursing
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Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. May focus on a specific medical specialty. May require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a valid state Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Staff Nurse - RN III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Nurse (RN), Level 3, Senior Registered Nurse - Staff, Staff Nurse - RN IIICategory : Healthcare - Nursing
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Provides professional nursing care to on-site employees. Treats occupational injuries and illnesses, referring patients to emergency care facilities or outside medical resources as needed. Performs pre-employment physical examinations, including vision and hearing screenings, blood work, and other related tests. Maintains employee medical records and ensures that record keeping procedures comply with legal and confidentiality requirements. May be responsible for administering flu vaccinations, workers' compensation, disability, and/or employee health and safety training programs. Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent. Requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Staff Nurse - RN - Occupational Health Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Occupational Health Unit Nurse, RN - Occupational Health, Staff Nurse - RN - Occupational Health
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Provides professional nursing care to on-site employees. Treats occupational injuries and illnesses, referring patients to emergency care facilities or outside medical resources as needed. Performs pre-employment physical examinations, including vision and hearing screenings, blood work, and other related tests. Maintains employee medical records and ensures that record-keeping procedures comply with legal and confidentiality requirements. May be responsible for administering flu vaccination, workers' compensation, disability, and/or employee health and safety training programs. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent. Requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Staff Nurse Senior- RN - Occupational Health Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Senior Occupational Health Unit Nurse, Senior RN - Occupational Health, Staff Nurse Senior- RN - Occupational Health
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Provides compassionate, trauma-informed medical care to patients after an assault. Collects and documents forensic evidence and findings to support investigations and court proceedings. Assesses and treats injuries and may provide medications for sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and emergency contraception. May testify in court as expert witnesses and coordinate with law enforcement and advocacy services. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing Requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license.. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Forensic Nurse - RN Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Forensic Nurse Examiner, Forensic Nurse - RN
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Responsible for providing professional nursing care to assigned patients across multiple departments or units within a healthcare facility, stepping in wherever there is a staffing shortage or increased patient demand. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment, as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Float Nurse - RN Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Float Pool Registered Nurse, Float Nurse - RNCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Responsible for helping hospitals, clinics, and other facilities maintain high standards of care and normal patient loads during periods of short staffing, seasonal peaks, or crises. Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment, as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Travel Nurse - RN Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Traveling Registered Nurse, Travel Nurse - RNCategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Provides professional nursing care to assigned terminally ill patients in a hospice environment. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Performs examinations and prescribed procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' condition and records observations in patient medical records. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing.Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Requires a valid state RN license. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Staff Nurse - RN - Hospice Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Nurse (RN), Hospice, Staff Nurse - RN - Hospice
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Provides professional nursing care to assigned geriatric patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops geriatric care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing.Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Requires a valid state RN license. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Staff Nurse - RN - Geriatric Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Nurse (RN), Geriatric, Staff Nurse - RN - GeriatricCategory : Healthcare - Nursing
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Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients in the burn unit. Examines, prepares, cleans, and dresses patient burn wounds. Evaluates, plans, and documents nursing care for burn patients, as needed. Promotes patients' well-being by teaching patients and families to understand burn wound conditions, medications, and self-care skills. May administer medication and IV treatments to alleviate patients' pain and discomfort. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Requires a valid state RN license. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. Staff Nurse - RN - Burn Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Registered Nurse - Burn Unit (RN), Staff Nurse - RN - Burn