Travel nursing contracts in Oakland, CA advertise a median of $2,831 a week, with the middle half between $2,699 and $3,226, across 22 open nursing contracts on CircleRN. These are advertised weekly totals before tax, usually including tax-free stipends; for almost all postings the figure is the top of an advertised range. Not take-home pay.
37 openings from $2,311–$3,515/week in Oakland, CA — Emergency Room, Oncology, PICU. Pay by specialty, what it costs to live there, and 8 furnished places to stay.
37 openings from $2,311–$3,515/week right now.
8 furnished rentals available for travel nurses.
Prices in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) run 16% higher overall.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 115.6 | 16% higher |
| Housing | 194.7 | 95% higher |
| Utilities | 172.6 | 73% higher |
| Groceries and goods | 108.5 | 8% higher |
| Services | 106.2 | 6% higher |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
| Unit | Monthly | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,650 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| One bedroom | $1,920 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Two bedroom | $2,340 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Three bedroom | $3,010 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Typical asking rent, all sizes | $2,533 | Zillow Observed Rent Index 2025 |
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement in Oakland is $152 per night, plus up to $92 a day for meals (GSA, FY2027). That is a maximum, not what agencies pay. Look up the exact rate for any ZIP code.
For the same specialties, Oakland pays about 11% above the national median, across 23 open listings. Once local prices are counted, that is worth about -4%. Each opening is compared with the national median for its own specialty, so the figure is not distorted by which specialties happen to be hiring here.
California is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so you need a California license to work here even if you hold a multistate license. Check your license with the compact checker.
Average weekly package (base + stipends): $2,771 based on 3 reports.
Weekly package on assignments open now, for specialties with at least three priced postings.
See all 37 openings in Oakland
3 hospitals in Oakland are hiring travel nurses, 24 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.