Sacramento is home to a sizable population of approximately 16,010 registered nurses (RNs). The city is also home to 4,720 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and 3,010 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). While opportunities for Sacramento-based nurses are plentiful, competition is intense and standards are high. To ensure that their nurses have the skills needed to provide exceptional patient care, hospitals and other healthcare providers across the state require postsecondary education, clinical experience, and licensure or certification.

With a large population of 23,610 registered nurses (RNs) averaging $87,160 per year, 6,140 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) averaging $45,570 per year, and 8,160 nursing assistants (CNAs) averaging $26,130 per year, California’s Inland Empire is one of the nation’s best places to start a nursing career. While the opportunity for success is promising in Riverside and other Inland Empire cities, the industry here is competitive. To stand out, aspiring nurses must have a degree, they must be licensed, and they must demonstrate the ability to juggle a variety of demanding tasks.

California nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful in California’s Ventura County, which includes the cities of Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura. However, it still takes hard work and the right education to succeed. Some of the most in-demand positions in the area include registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and nursing assistants (CNAs). Ventura County is home to 3,730 RNs averaging $74,550 per year, 760 LVNs averaging $48,830 per year, and 1,480 CNAs averaging $27,400 per year.

Orange County is home to an impressive 18,510 registered nurses (RNs), 8,450 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 6,120 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). These professionals earn some of the most competitive salaries in the healthcare industry. Orange County-based RNs average $85,400 per year, LVNs average $48,690 per year, and CNAs average $27,450 per year.

California’s Inland Empire is home to an impressive 23,610 registered nurses (RNs). The area, which consists of cities such as Ontario, Riverside, and San Bernardino, is also home to 6,140 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and 8,160 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). While opportunities for nurses are plentiful in Ontario, the field is still very competitive.

Oakland is located in California’s East Bay area, and it is the eighth-largest city in the state. The East Bay is home to 20,070 registered nurses (RNs), 7,280 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 4,260 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). These professionals earn some of the highest salaries in the healthcare field. East Bay-based RNs earn an average of $127,930 per year, LVNs average $61,700 in annual salary, and CNAs earn $34,180 annually.

If you are interested in becoming a nurse in Modesto, California, you’re in luck. The city of more than 200,000 residents offers some of the highest nursing salaries in the United States. Modesto’s 3,670 registered nurses (RNs) earn an average annual salary of $104,180 per year. The city’s 600 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) average $54,770 per year, while its 740 nursing assistants (CNAs) average $25,120 per year.

Merced is home to a small community of registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and nursing assistants (CNAs) that make a big impact on the city’s healthcare scene. With just 790 RNs, 240 LVNs, and 560 CNAs, hospitals and health centers such as Mercy Medical Center, Sutter Health Memorial Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Central California are able to deliver exceptional healthcare to a population of more than 80,000.

Long Beach, California is in Los Angeles County, which is home to a noteworthy 69,610 registered nurses (RNs), 20,010 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and 31,030 nursing assistants (CNAs). While opportunities for nursing professionals are plentiful in Long Beach, the area’s top employers are very selective. This means you’ll need the right amount of education, training, and experience, plus a license and/or certification.