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Executive Director Nursing Salary in California

How much does an Executive Director Nursing make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Executive Director Nursing in California is $183,929 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $88.

However, an Executive Director Nursing's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $220,881
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $166,727 to $203,271
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $151,066
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Executive Director Nursing Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Executive Director Nursing Salaries

An Executive Director Nursing'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.

How Experience Level Affects Executive Director Nursing Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Executive Director Nursing'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $126,895
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $148,505
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $179,899
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $220,961
  • Expert (over 8 years): $266,956
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Nursing Supervisor less than 1 year $126,895
Nursing Manager 1-2 years $148,505
Executive Director Nursing 2-4 years $179,899
Nursing Director 5-8 years $220,961
Head of Nursing over 8 years $266,956

How Do Executive Director Nursing Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Executive Director Nursings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $184,629.
  • California: $183,929.
  • Massachusetts: $181,477.

Top Paying Cities for Executive Director Nursing

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:

  • Los Angeles: $184,245
  • West Hollywood: $184,112
  • Dodgertown: $184,244

Executive Director Nursing Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Executive Director Nursing 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, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Executive Director Nursing positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Executive Director Nursing as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Executive Director Nursing

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $220,714 $106.0 20%

Executive Director Nursing Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Executive Director Nursing'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$166,727
Average $183,929/year
$203,271
$13,894
Average $15,327/month
$16,939
$3,206
Average $3,537/week
$3,909
$80
Average $88/hour
$98
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $203,271 $16,939 $3,909 $98
Average $183,929 $15,327 $3,537 $88
25th Percentile $166,727 $13,894 $3,206 $80

Find Your Next Executive Director Nursing Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Executive Director Nursing job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Skilled Nursing Facility | Temple City, CA

    Director of Nursing

    Skilled Nursing Facility | Temple City, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. What We’re Looking For. We’re looking for a dynamic . Director of Nursing.  to lead our clinical team and provide our res... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Camden PostAcute Care | Campbell, CA

    Director of Nursing

    Camden PostAcute Care | Campbell, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DON Director of Nursing.  . What We’re Looking For. We’re looking for a dynamic . Director of Nursing.  to lead our clini... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Acuity Eye Group | Escondido, CA

    Director of Nursing

    Acuity Eye Group | Escondido, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. SUMMARY. The Director of Nursing will be responsible for ensuring that assigned Surgery Center(s) are operat... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Vibra Travels Llc | San Bernardino, CA

    Director of Nursing

    Vibra Travels Llc | San Bernardino, CA

    VIBRA TRAVELS is seeking a Travel Director of Nursing to join our expanding network of healthcare professionals.We're looking for dependable, detail-focuse... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Belmont Village Aliso Viejo | Newport Beach, CA

    Director of Nursing

    Belmont Village Aliso Viejo | Newport Beach, CA

    ABOUT THE ROLEBelmont Village Aliso Viejo is seeking an experiencedlicensed nurse leader to serve as Director of Resident Care Services. This leadership ro... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Direct Staffing Inc | Montebello, CA

    DIRECTOR OF NURSING

    Direct Staffing Inc | Montebello, CA

    Director Of NursingHealthcare / Health Services - Managed CareExp 2-5 yearsDeg BachReloBonusJob DescriptionSeeking talented DIRECTOR OF NURSING. Tenured, t... more

    9 Days Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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