Updated October 15, 2026

Utilization Review Nurse salary in California

Utilization Review Nurses in California earn a median of $67.47 per hour, about $140,330 a year, 50% above the U.S. median of $45.00. The middle half earn between $57.55 and $82.79 per hour. The highest median among California metro areas is in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, at $100.45 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.

Utilization Review Nurse pay in California: percentiles

LevelCalifornia per hourCalifornia per yearU.S. per hour
Lowest 10%$48.14$100,130$31.75
Lower quartile$57.55$119,700$37.79
Median$67.47$140,330$45.00
Upper quartile$82.79$172,200$51.90
Top 10%$100.42$208,870$65.06

Utilization Review Nurse pay by metro area in California

Metro areaMedian / hrMedian / yearEmployedvs California medianAfter cost of living
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$100.45$208,94021,46049% above$90.97
Vallejo, CA$92.53$192,4704,41037% above$85.30
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$90.40$188,02040,75034% above$78.19
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$86.01$178,9001,61027% above$78.26
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$82.88$172,3903,77023% above$76.89
Modesto, CA$81.47$169,4605,26021% above$78.26
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$81.35$169,21023,40021% above$76.26
Yuba City, CA$69.34$144,2201,0703% above$66.52
Chico, CA$68.14$141,7202,4901% above$67.33
Salinas, CA$64.94$135,0803,0604% below$59.56
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA$64.17$133,4701,9505% below$59.09
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$64.17$133,4703,1405% below$58.98
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$64.16$133,440107,3405% below$56.50
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$63.99$133,09027,6605% below$57.19
Stockton-Lodi, CA$63.39$131,8405,1006% below$60.32
Hanford-Corcoran, CA$62.86$130,7408107% below$61.86
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$62.58$130,16034,5707% below$58.79
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA$61.79$128,5205,4308% below$55.90
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$61.30$127,5105,4109% below$60.76
Merced, CA$61.00$126,88093010% below$62.07
Fresno, CA$60.88$126,63010,44010% below$59.59
Redding, CA$60.09$124,9901,62011% below$59.68
Visalia, CA$57.77$120,1602,74014% below$57.87
El Centro, CA$57.01$118,58061016% below—

Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).

Utilization Review Nurse pay in states next to California

StateMedian / hrMedian / yearCompared with California
Arizona$46.58$96,89031% below California
Nevada$49.03$101,99027% below California
Oregon$59.61$123,99012% below California

Utilization Review Nurse jobs in California · Utilization Review Nurse salary nationwide · California state guide · California licensing guide

Common questions

How much does a utilization review nurse make in California?

The median is $67.47 per hour, about $140,330 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $48.14 and the top 10% earn over $100.42 (BLS, May 2024).

Which California city pays utilization review nurses the most?

Among California metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest median at $100.45 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.

Where does California rank for utilization review nurse pay?

California ranks 1st of 50 states by median utilization review nurse pay.

Is this the same as the pay in job postings?

No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.

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1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Veterans Health AdministrationPhiladelphia, PA · 1 posting$56.65/ hr$39–$74
  • MaineGeneral HealthAugusta, ME · 1 posting$53.62/ hr$39–$68
  • Trinity HealthConnecticut · 1 posting$48.05/ hr$36–$60
  • Glens Falls HospitalGlens Falls, NY · 1 posting$47.87/ hr$36–$60

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Low$36Median$45.44High$66

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  1. RN - Quality Assurance/Utilization Review - Business Development - Full Time 8hrPermanent
    $52.03–$80.64/ hour
    Emanate Health · Covina, CA · posted 10 days ago

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