How much do Kaiser RNs make? Kaiser Permanente sets registered nurse pay under the California Nurses Association (CNA) contract, with different scales for Northern and Southern California. Statewide, Kaiser RN base pay runs roughly $58 to $120 per hour depending on region and years of experience.
Base hourly rate by experience. Northern California rates are notably higher across the board; Southern California's new contract is phasing in raises through 2028.
| Experience | Northern CA | Southern CA (Yr1) |
|---|---|---|
| New grad / inexperienced | $85.70 | $58.30 |
| 5 years | $105.40 | $79.99 |
| 10 years | $108.95 | $88.99 |
| 15 years | $111.80 | $91.69 |
| 20 years | $114.10 | $94.77 |
| 25 years | $116.35 | $95.98 |
NorCal figures are CNA base rates by years of experience. SoCal figures are benefited Level III (critical-care) base rates for Year 1 (effective March 2026). Job definitions differ slightly between the two regional contracts, so treat this as a close comparison, not identical roles.
Take-home for a single filer in California, 40 hrs/week, at each region's mid-career base rate:
Net estimates include federal income tax, CA state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and SDI. They exclude health insurance, pension/401(k), and union dues. At incomes above $200k the extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies.
Kaiser Permanente registered nurses in California are represented by the California Nurses Association (CNA). Instead of pay being negotiated individually or set facility-by-facility, the CNA collective bargaining agreement guarantees a specific hourly rate for each step of experience. That's why a Kaiser RN's base rate is the same across hospitals within a region, and why the numbers here are exact contract rates rather than self-reported estimates. The contract also layers on night shift differentials and higher per-diem rates for nurses who trade benefits for a higher hourly wage.
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