Ventura County Medical Center Per Diem Nurse Salary (2024–2029)
How much do per diem nurses make at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital? This page shows the complete union pay scale for all 16 per diem nursing classifications under the California Nurses Association (CNA) contract, effective 2024 through 2029. Rates include base hourly pay, shift differentials, weekend premiums, and all other contract-guaranteed compensation.
16
Per Diem Classifications
$43.88
RN I Starting Rate
$87.50
RN III Top Rate (Yr 3)
$96.56
RN III Top Rate (Yr 5)
📋 Contract source: Memorandum of Agreement between the County of Ventura and the California Nurses Association, Per Diem Unit, 2024–2029. Signed March 2024. Includes general salary increases of 5.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, and 3.5% over five years, plus market-based adjustments for most classifications.
Highest paying per diem nurse positions at VCMC
These are the top-paying per diem classifications at Ventura County Medical Center based on Year 3 maximum rates (effective April 2026):
| Classification | Top Hourly Rate | Annual Equivalent (40hr/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Per Diem Registered Nurse III | $87.50/hr | $182,000 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Nurse Practitioner | $84.53/hr | $175,822 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant | $84.53/hr | $175,822 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse III | $82.17/hr | $170,914 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse II | $68.62/hr | $142,730 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse II | $66.49/hr | $138,299 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse II | $64.44/hr | $134,035 |
Complete per diem nurse pay scale — Year 3 (effective April 2026)
All 16 per diem nursing classifications at Ventura County Medical Center with minimum and maximum hourly rates:
| Classification | Code | Min Hourly | Max Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Diem Registered Nurse III | 00537 | $68.62 | $87.50 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Nurse Practitioner | 00554 | $75.58 | $84.53 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant | 00610 | $75.58 | $84.53 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse III | 00542 | $64.44 | $82.17 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse II | 00536 | $52.00 | $68.62 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse II | 00621 | $55.61 | $66.49 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse II | 00539 | $48.83 | $64.44 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse I | 00620 | $45.10 | $47.40 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse I | 00535 | $43.88 | $43.88 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse I | 00538 | $41.20 | $41.20 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Licensed Vocational Nurse | 00659 | $35.05 | $38.55 |
| Per Diem Nurse Extern | 00543 | $33.57 | $33.57 |
| Per Diem Senior Psychiatric Technician | 00541 | $26.20 | $33.91 |
| Per Diem Licensed Vocational Nurse | 00171 | $23.12 | $33.03 |
| Per Diem Non-Registered Nurse | 00534 | $24.17 | $29.00 |
| Per Diem Psychiatric Technician | 00540 | $21.58 | $26.20 |
Year 1 pay scale (effective April 2024)
| Classification | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Per Diem Registered Nurse III | $60.39 | $77.00 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Nurse Practitioner | $66.51 | $74.39 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant | $66.51 | $74.39 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse III | $56.71 | $72.31 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse II | $45.76 | $60.39 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse II | $48.94 | $58.52 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse II | $42.97 | $56.71 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse I | $39.69 | $41.71 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse I | $38.61 | $38.61 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse I | $36.26 | $36.26 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Licensed Vocational Nurse | $30.85 | $33.92 |
| Per Diem Senior Psychiatric Technician | $24.10 | $31.19 |
| Per Diem Nurse Extern | $29.54 | $29.54 |
| Per Diem Licensed Vocational Nurse | $20.35 | $29.06 |
| Per Diem Non-Registered Nurse | $21.27 | $25.52 |
| Per Diem Psychiatric Technician | $19.85 | $24.10 |
Year 5 pay scale (effective April 2028) — final contract year
By the final year of the contract, per diem nurses at VCMC will see significant pay growth. An RN III at top step will earn $96.56/hr — a 25% increase over the Year 1 starting rate.
| Classification | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Per Diem Registered Nurse III | $75.73 | $96.56 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Nurse Practitioner | $83.41 | $93.29 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Physician Assistant | $83.41 | $93.29 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse III | $71.12 | $90.68 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse II | $57.39 | $75.73 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse II | $61.37 | $73.38 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse II | $53.89 | $71.12 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Registered Nurse I | $49.77 | $52.31 |
| Per Diem Registered Nurse I | $48.42 | $48.42 |
| Per Diem Public Health Nurse I | $45.47 | $45.47 |
| Per Diem Primary Care Clinic Licensed Vocational Nurse | $38.69 | $42.54 |
| Per Diem Senior Psychiatric Technician | $28.63 | $37.06 |
| Per Diem Nurse Extern | $37.05 | $37.05 |
| Per Diem Licensed Vocational Nurse | $25.51 | $36.45 |
| Per Diem Non-Registered Nurse | $26.67 | $32.00 |
| Per Diem Psychiatric Technician | $23.58 | $28.63 |
VCMC shift differentials and premium pay
In addition to base pay, per diem nurses at Ventura County Medical Center receive the following premiums and differentials per the CNA contract:
| Premium Type | Rate | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Evening shift differential | 7.5% of base pay | Hours worked 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Night shift differential | 15% of base pay | Hours worked 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM |
| Weekend premium | $2.00/hr | 11:00 PM Friday – 7:00 AM Monday |
| Charge nurse premium | $2.50/hr | Each full shift as charge nurse |
| Float nurse premium | $2.50/hr | Hours outside home unit |
| Inter-campus drift premium | $7.50/hr | Working at the other campus (VCMC ↔ Santa Paula) |
| Certification pay | $0.813/hr per cert | Up to 5 certifications (~$4.07/hr max) |
| BSN educational incentive | $1.25/hr | RN and PHN with Bachelor's degree |
| MSN educational incentive | $1.75/hr | RN and PHN with Graduate degree |
| PHN certificate premium | $1.25/hr | PHN I, II, III (without master's) |
| Bilingual Level I | $0.69/hr | Approved bilingual proficiency |
| Bilingual Level II | $1.00/hr | Approved bilingual proficiency |
| Bilingual Level III | $1.32/hr | Approved bilingual proficiency |
| Standby/on-call pay | 25% of base hourly | Or federal minimum wage (whichever is greater) |
| Callback pay | 1.5× base rate | Minimum 2 hours per callback |
| Holiday premium | 1.5× base rate | 12 recognized holidays per year |
| Overtime | 1.5× regular rate | Over 40 hrs/week or beyond scheduled shift |
| Emergency overtime (EOP) | 2.5× base + diffs | Activated during declared disasters only |
Example: What does an RN II actually make per hour on a night shift weekend?
A Per Diem RN II at mid-range (~$60/hr base) working a Saturday night shift would earn:
- Base pay: $60.00/hr
- Night differential (15%): +$9.00/hr
- Weekend premium: +$2.00/hr
- Total: $71.00/hr (before any certification, education, or float premiums)
Annual salary increase schedule
The CNA contract guarantees compounding raises each year. Here's the full schedule:
| Effective Date | General Increase | Market Adj (Group F) | Market Adj (Group G) |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 14, 2024 | 5.5% | +3.5% | +0.5% |
| April 13, 2025 | 4.0% | +2.0% | +0.5% |
| April 12, 2026 | 3.5% | +1.5% | +0.5% |
| April 11, 2027 | 3.5% | +1.5% | +1.5% |
| April 9, 2028 | 3.5% | +1.5% | +1.5% |
Group F (higher MBA): RN I/II/III, LVN, Non-Registered Nurse, PHN I/II/III, Primary Care Clinic LVN/NP/PA/RN I/RN II, Nurse Extern.
Group G (lower MBA): Psychiatric Technician and Senior Psychiatric Technician only.
Key contract benefits and provisions
- Contract term: Through April 8, 2029
- Union: California Nurses Association (CNA)
- Probationary period: 1,040 hours
- Merit increases: Up to 5% within pay range every 2,080 compensable hours
- RN I → RN II promotion: After 1,040 hours with satisfactory evaluation
- New hire bonus: $1,000 for Per Diem RN II and RN III
- Difficult to Recruit (DTR) premium: Up to 5% for eligible RN/PHN classifications
- Health insurance: Per diem employees may purchase VCHCP at own expense
- Retirement: Safe Harbor plan (OBRA compliance)
- Holidays: 12 recognized holidays paid at time-and-a-half
- Continuing education: Up to 15 CEUs annually provided by the Health Care Agency
- State Disability Insurance (SDI): Employee-paid coverage
- Employee referral bonus: $500 per qualified referral
Frequently asked questions about VCMC nurse pay
How much do per diem nurses make at Ventura County Medical Center?
Per diem registered nurses at VCMC earn between $43.88/hr (RN I entry) and $87.50/hr (RN III max) as of Year 3 (April 2026). With the final contract year (2028), RN III rates reach up to $96.56/hr. Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants earn up to $93.29/hr at the top of the scale. LVNs range from $23.12 to $33.03/hr.
What is the night shift differential at VCMC?
VCMC pays a 15% night shift differential for hours worked between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM. The evening shift differential (3:00 PM to 11:00 PM) is 7.5% of base pay. If a nurse works 50% or more of their shift during night or evening hours, they receive that differential for their entire shift.
What union represents nurses at Ventura County Medical Center?
Per diem nurses at VCMC and Santa Paula Hospital are represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA). The current contract covers 2024–2029 and includes 16 per diem classifications ranging from Licensed Vocational Nurse to Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant.
How often do VCMC per diem nurses get raises?
The contract provides annual general salary increases (5.5%, 4%, 3.5%, 3.5%, 3.5%) each April. Most classifications also receive additional market-based adjustments of 0.5%–3.5% on top of the general increase. Within-range merit increases of up to 5% are available every 2,080 compensable hours with satisfactory performance.
Do per diem nurses at VCMC get overtime?
Yes. Per diem nurses receive overtime at 1.5× their regular hourly rate for hours exceeding 40 in a 7-day work period, or beyond their regularly scheduled shift per 24-hour period. During declared emergencies, the Emergency Overtime Pay (EOP) program pays 2.5× the base rate plus applicable shift differentials.
What extra pay do VCMC nurses receive for weekends?
Per diem nurses receive an additional $2.00 per hour for all hours worked during weekend shifts. Weekend hours are defined as the period between 11:00 PM Friday and 7:00 AM Monday. This stacks with any applicable evening or night shift differential.
How do you get promoted from RN I to RN II at VCMC?
A Per Diem RN I who completes 1,040 hours of total verifiable nursing experience and receives a satisfactory evaluation is promoted to Per Diem RN II with pay increased to the minimum rate of the RN II salary range. After promotion, succeeding merit increases occur every 2,080 hours of compensable service.
Is there a new hire bonus for VCMC per diem nurses?
Yes. Newly hired Per Diem RN II and RN III classifications receive a one-time $1,000 new hire bonus paid with their first regular paycheck. The nurse must maintain employment for 12 consecutive months while working an average of 24 hours per bi-weekly pay period to keep the bonus.
About Ventura County Medical Center
Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) is a public hospital operated by the County of Ventura Health Care Agency in Ventura, California. Together with Santa Paula Hospital, it serves as the safety-net hospital system for Ventura County residents. The per diem nursing staff is represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA) and works on an as-needed basis to supplement regular staffing. Per diem positions offer schedule flexibility with competitive hourly rates but without standard benefits like paid time off or employer-paid health insurance.
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