Nursing Jobs: Los Angeles Overview
Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the U.S., outranked only by New York. The City of Angels is known for so many things, primarily for being the home of Hollywood, beaches, wonderful weather, champion sports teams, and world-class food, music, fashion, and arts.
If you’re thinking of looking for full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem nursing jobs, Los Angeles has many to offer NPs, RNs, CNAs, LVNs, and other nursing professionals. Start your search today.
Fast Facts About Nursing Jobs: Los Angeles
- Is California a compact state? No. Nurses in California must be licensed by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Learn more about general rules and regulations in our article about the California Nurse Practice Act.
- What’s the average nurse salary in Los Angeles? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Los Angeles by license/certification:
- NP salary in Los Angeles: $165,030
- RN salary in Los Angeles: $138,010
- LVN salary in Los Angeles: $77,250
- CNA salary in Los Angeles: $47,900
- Where can I find information about becoming a licensed nurse in California? Explore our article that details how to become an RN in California. If your license is set to expire, our guide to California nursing license renewals can help.
What to Know and Where to Look for Nursing Jobs in Los Angeles
With more than 3.8 million residents in greater Los Angeles, this city copes with a massive demand for healthcare. That demand must be met by not only doctors and registered nurses, but also by nursing professionals including CNAs and LVNs. Check out the latest openings for these popular roles:
The median age of the population of L.A. is nearly 37 years old, with a considerable 15.7% of the population ages 65 and older, making it unlikely the demand for healthcare will decline anytime soon.
One of the reasons the city is so big is the way it attracts people from all over the world, with more than 33% of the residents being foreign born and a very diverse population made up of sizable Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native communities. This will test your cultural competence and provide many opportunities for nurses in L.A. with bilingual and multilingual skills.
Working in Los Angeles
Angelinos love their cars, and it’s a good thing that they do, because most spend a lot of time in them. An average one-way commute in L.A. runs 31 minutes. Most commuters drive in their cars alone and only about 10% take mass transit.
Despite how long it might take to get to your nursing jobs, Los Angeles provides options for work that are as big as the city itself. The major industries in Los Angeles include cutting-edge employers in aerospace, biosciences, entertainment (of course), trade, transportation, design, ocean economy, fashion, tourism, IT, and food manufacturing. There are also many healthcare tech companies in the city and the surrounding metro area, providing unique opportunities for nursing jobs in L.A. and beyond.
Unfortunately, Los Angeles makes the list (at #6) of the largest metros with the least amount of healthcare workers per capita — there are only 3.25 healthcare workers per 100 residents. But that can also mean that employers are eagerly looking for people to fill nursing jobs — Los Angeles certainly has lots of residents that need care.
Explore current openings at these health systems, medical centers, and top-ranked hospitals in the larger metro area:
You can also find plenty of work in assisted living communities and nursing homes. If you're interested in government positions, Los Angeles County has a need for skilled nursing professionals.
Living in Los Angeles
Getting to your nursing job in Los Angeles may be challenging, but there is still so much about the city to love. The food scene is one of the best in the country, and despite the glam Hollywood scene, some of the most famous restaurants in L.A. feature simple hot dogs, burgers, tacos, not to mention the original French dip sandwich.
Of course, the L.A. weather is about as well-known as the Hollywood sign, with a year-round average temperature of 65 degrees and a lovely average of 186 sunny days per year. This climate allows Angelinos to lay on the beach, catch waves, hike, and, with skiing only about five hours away at Mammoth Mountain, hit the slopes as well.
Driving just a few hours north on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway will put you in beautiful Santa Barbara, which is also near one of California’s famous wine-growing regions, the Santa Ynez Valley. If you head south, you’ll find desert communities like Palm Springs and the well-known Death Valley, before arriving in San Diego and eventually Mexico.
Within the city, Los Angeles has 774 cultural venues including museums, libraries, theaters, parks, and stadiums, not to mention the Los Angeles Philharmonic, playing its season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by the great Frank Gehry). There are so many ways to enjoy your new RN job in Los Angeles, but there are almost more ways to enjoy your life beyond work.
However, like most of California, there is a price that comes with living in such a wonderful place. The cost of living in Los Angeles is nearly 62% higher than the national average; home prices are high as well — about 170% higher.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Los Angeles has excellent career opportunities for nurses and healthcare professionals. Need some help getting started? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.
