Travel nursing contracts in San Diego, CA advertise a median of $2,907 a week, with the middle half between $2,598 and $3,238, across 40 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.
113 openings from $1,662–$3,482/week in San Diego, CA — Operating Room, Pediatrics, Case Manager. Pay by specialty, what it costs to live there, and 77 furnished places to stay.
113 openings from $1,662–$3,482/week right now.
77 furnished rentals available for travel nurses.
Prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) run 12% higher overall.
| Category | Index | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 111.9 | 12% higher |
| Housing | 179.3 | 79% higher |
| Utilities | 174.2 | 74% higher |
| Groceries and goods | 108.0 | 8% higher |
| Services | 99.6 | at the national average |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, where 100 is the national average.
| Unit | Monthly | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,330 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| One bedroom | $2,530 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Two bedroom | $3,130 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Three bedroom | $4,180 | HUD Fair Market Rent 2025, utilities included |
| Typical asking rent, all sizes | $3,091 | Zillow Observed Rent Index 2025 |
The federal ceiling on tax-free lodging reimbursement in San Diego is $208–$249 per night, plus up to $86 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, San Diego pays about 16% above the national median, across 39 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 113 openings in San Diego
5 hospitals in San Diego are hiring travel nurses, 100 openings in all. Each page lists the openings by specialty with advertised weekly pay, cost of living and housing nearby.