A recent analysis found that California has 22 of the 25 highest-paying metro areas for registered nurses in the U.S. The San Jose area ranks highest, with nurses earning nearly $190,000 annually, followed by San Francisco, Vallejo, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento. The article explains that strong nursing unions, staffing laws, and high demand for healthcare workers help drive wages up across the state. However, it also notes that California’s high cost of living, especially in the Bay Area, can offset some of those earnings. Overall, California remains the top-paying state for nurses despite the financial challenges of living there.