New contract wage increases for Level III nurses (ICU, ED, PACU, OR). Year 1 rates effective March 9, 2026; Year 4 rates effective October 1, 2028.
Base hourly rates by experience, showing Year 1 (March 2026) and Year 4 (October 2028) under the new contract.
| Experience | Previous | Year 1 (3/2026) | Year 4 (10/2028) | % inc (Yr1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexperienced | $54.74 | $58.30 | $67.51 | +6.50% |
| 1 Year | $62.66 | $66.74 | $77.29 | +6.50% |
| 5 Years | $74.72 | $79.99 | $92.63 | +7.04% |
| 10 Years | $82.45 | $88.99 | $103.05 | +7.93% |
| 15 Years | $85.40 | $91.69 | $105.75 | +7.37% |
| 20 Years | $87.54 | $94.77 | $108.42 | +8.26% |
| 25 Years | $89.73 | $95.98 | $111.16 | +6.97% |
Per-diem nurses earn higher hourly rates in exchange for fewer benefits.
| Experience | Previous | Year 1 (3/2026) | Year 4 (10/2028) | % inc (Yr1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexperienced | $65.68 | $69.95 | $81.01 | +6.50% |
| 1 Year | $75.20 | $80.09 | $92.75 | +6.50% |
| 5 Years | $89.67 | $95.98 | $111.16 | +7.05% |
| 10 Years | $99.88 | $106.78 | $123.67 | +6.91% |
| 15 Years | $102.48 | $109.57 | $126.90 | +6.92% |
| 20 Years | $105.04 | $112.34 | $130.10 | +6.95% |
| 25 Years | $107.67 | $115.18 | $133.39 | +6.97% |
| Experience | Hourly (Yr1) | Annual (40hr/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Inexperienced | $58.30 | $121,254 |
| 5 Years | $79.99 | $166,371 |
| 10 Years | $88.99 | $185,089 |
| 20 Years | $94.77 | $197,120 |
| 25 Years | $95.98 | $199,643 |
What a Kaiser SoCal Level III RN keeps after taxes (single filer, California; benefited base rate, 40 hrs/week, Year 1):
Net estimate includes federal income tax, CA state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and SDI. Does not include health insurance, pension/401(k), or dues. At incomes above $200k the extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies and would slightly reduce net.
Kaiser's Southern California Level III nurse pay sits among the highest in the state, especially for critical-care units. Compare it to other California nurse pay scales:
Enter your rate, shift, and deductions for a personalized net pay estimate.
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