A Kaiser SoCal ICU nurse with 10 years of experience just got a $6,537/hr raise. By 2028, she will earn over $103/hr. Here is the full wage grid — and what it actually looks like after taxes and rent in Southern California.
Mar 23, 2026 • 10 min read
After a four-week strike in February and March of 2026, Kaiser Permanente Southern California nurses represented by UNAC/UHCP voted to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement. The new contract took effect March 9, 2026.
The raises are significant. Level III nurses — the ICU, ED, PACU, and OR nurses doing the highest-acuity work in Kaiser SoCal hospitals — received an immediate 6.5% to 8.3% wage increase depending on their experience step. The contract runs through October 1, 2028, with additional increases scheduled along the way.
This post breaks down the full NON-ACP wage grid for Level III nurses across all four contract years, shows what the raises look like in real annual salary numbers, and runs the take-home math for nurses living and working in Southern California.
The headline number: A Kaiser SoCal Benefited Level III RN with 25 years of experience who earned $89.726/hr before this contract now earns $95.982/hr on March 9, 2026 — and will earn $111.158/hr by October 2028. Per Diem Level III nurses at the same experience level will top $133/hr.
What Level III Means at Kaiser
Kaiser Permanente uses a level-based classification system for its RNs. The level you hold is determined by your specialty, not just your years of experience.
Level III nurses work in high-acuity specialty units, including:
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
- Emergency Department (ED)
- Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
- Operating Room (OR)
- Other designated high-acuity procedural units
Level II nurses cover Medical/Surgical and Telemetry units and earn less than Level III at every experience step. Level IV and Level V designations exist for advanced specialty and charge roles.
The wage grids below apply to the NON-ACP classification only. ACP (Advanced Clinical Practice) nurses may have different rates under their own grid.
Benefited vs. Per Diem: The Key Difference
Benefited RNs work a guaranteed schedule (typically 36 hours per week, three 12-hour shifts) and receive Kaiser’s full benefits package: health insurance, dental, vision, pension contributions, paid time off, and sick leave. Their base hourly rate is lower than Per Diem.
Per Diem RNs work on a call or as-needed basis with no guaranteed hours and no full benefits. In exchange, they earn a significantly higher base hourly rate — roughly 17-20% more than Benefited counterparts at the same experience step. For nurses who can manage the scheduling flexibility, the financial upside is substantial.
A Per Diem Level III nurse with 10 years of experience earns $106.782/hr effective March 9, 2026 — more than $15/hr above the Benefited rate of $88.985/hr for the same experience.
Benefited Level III Wage Grid — Full Schedule
Effective March 9, 2026 through October 1, 2028. All figures are hourly rates (NON-ACP grid).
| Experience | Previous Rate | Year 1 (3/9/2026) | $ Increase | % Increase | Year 4 (10/1/2028) | Total Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hire | $54.737 | $58.295 | +$3.558 | +6.50% | $67.512 | +$12.775 |
| Start | $58.022 | $61.793 | +$3.771 | +6.50% | $71.563 | +$13.541 |
| 1 Year | $62.663 | $66.739 | +$4.076 | +6.50% | $77.290 | +$14.627 |
| 2 Years | $65.797 | $70.086 | +$4.289 | +6.52% | $81.167 | +$15.370 |
| 3 Years | $69.085 | $73.597 | +$4.512 | +6.53% | $85.233 | +$16.148 |
| 4 Years | $71.847 | $76.725 | +$4.878 | +6.79% | $88.855 | +$17.008 |
| 5 Years | $74.722 | $79.986 | +$5.264 | +7.04% | $92.633 | +$17.911 |
| 6 Years | $77.337 | $83.185 | +$5.848 | +7.56% | $96.337 | +$19.000 |
| 8 Years | $79.851 | $86.097 | +$6.246 | +7.82% | $99.709 | +$19.858 |
| 10 Years | $82.448 | $88.985 | +$6.537 | +7.93% | $103.054 | +$20.606 |
| 15 Years | $85.401 | $91.693 | +$6.292 | +7.37% | $105.748 | +$20.347 |
| 20 Years | $87.537 | $94.769 | +$7.232 | +8.26% | $108.419 | +$20.882 |
| 25 Years | $89.726 | $95.982 | +$6.256 | +6.97% | $111.158 | +$21.432 |
Rows highlighted in green mark the key experience milestones. Rates are hourly for NON-ACP Benefited RNs. A standard 36-hour/week schedule equals 1,872 hours per year.
What These Hourly Rates Look Like as Annual Salaries
Most nurse salary discussions stay in hourly terms. Here is what those rates translate to annually for a Benefited RN working a standard 36-hour week (1,872 hours per year):
| Experience | Previous Annual | Year 1 Annual (2026) | Year 4 Annual (2028) | 4-Year Total Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hire | $102,468 | $109,128 | $126,417 | +$23,949 |
| 1 Year | $117,266 | $124,955 | $144,687 | +$27,421 |
| 5 Years | $139,879 | $149,733 | $173,369 | +$33,490 |
| 10 Years | $154,342 | $166,539 | $192,917 | +$38,575 |
| 15 Years | $159,871 | $171,649 | $197,960 | +$38,089 |
| 20 Years | $163,849 | $177,408 | $202,961 | +$39,112 |
| 25 Years | $167,967 | $179,678 | $208,088 | +$40,121 |
By 2028, a Kaiser SoCal Level III RN with 20 years of experience will earn over $202,000 per year as a Benefited nurse. A nurse at the same step going Per Diem will earn over $243,000 per year — before overtime or differentials.
Want to see what these wages actually look like after California taxes and SoCal rent?
Per Diem Level III Wage Grid — Full Schedule
Per Diem nurses receive approximately 17-20% more per hour than their Benefited counterparts at the same experience step. The trade-off is no guaranteed hours and no full benefits package.
| Experience | Previous Rate | Year 1 (3/9/2026) | % Increase | Year 4 (10/1/2028) | Total Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hire | $65.684 | $69.954 | +6.50% | $81.014 | +$15.330 |
| 1 Year | $75.196 | $80.087 | +6.50% | $92.748 | +$17.552 |
| 5 Years | $89.666 | $95.983 | +7.05% | $111.160 | +$21.494 |
| 10 Years | $99.880 | $106.782 | +6.91% | $123.665 | +$23.785 |
| 15 Years | $102.481 | $109.574 | +6.92% | $126.898 | +$24.417 |
| 20 Years | $105.044 | $112.342 | +6.95% | $130.103 | +$25.059 |
| 25 Years | $107.671 | $115.178 | +6.97% | $133.390 | +$25.719 |
What Kaiser SoCal Nurses Actually Keep After Taxes and Rent
Gross salary is what you earn. Net salary after taxes and housing is what you actually keep. Map My Pay’s 2026 tax engine — which runs calculations using federal brackets, California state income tax, FICA, SDI, and local taxes — shows what these Kaiser contracts look like in real take-home terms.
Southern California is a high-cost region. California’s effective income tax rate on salaries above $150,000 reaches 34-36% when you include federal, state, and FICA obligations. Housing costs vary by location, but Los Angeles average rent sits at $2,742/month and San Diego at $2,893/month, according to Map My Pay’s housing database.
| Experience (Benefited L3) | 2026 Annual Gross | Est. Net After CA Taxes | Left Over After LA Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year | $124,955 | $84,140 | $51,236/yr |
| 5 Years | $149,733 | $98,824 | $65,920/yr |
| 10 Years | $166,539 | $109,116 | $76,212/yr |
| 15 Years | $171,649 | $112,461 | $79,557/yr |
| 20 Years | $177,408 | $116,234 | $83,330/yr |
| 25 Years | $179,678 | $117,721 | $84,817/yr |
Tax estimates based on Map My Pay’s 2026 engine using California state income tax, federal brackets (single filer), FICA, and SDI. Housing based on LA average rent of $2,742/mo. Your exact numbers depend on filing status, deductions, and city. Search your city on Map My Pay for a precise calculation.
The big picture: A Kaiser SoCal Level III ICU nurse with 10 years of experience earning $166,539 in 2026 takes home approximately $76,200/year after taxes and LA rent — about $6,350 per month for everything outside of housing. By 2028, that same nurse will earn $192,917 gross, with take-home climbing toward $90,000+ depending on where she lives.
How Kaiser SoCal Compares to the Rest of Southern California
Based on conversations with Kaiser nurses in the region, Kaiser Permanente SoCal pays the highest RN wages among Southern California hospital systems. For context, Map My Pay’s database shows the median RN salary across all employers in Los Angeles is $148,330 and in San Diego $148,330.
A Kaiser Level III ICU nurse with 5 years of experience now earns $149,733 annually — already at or above the median for all LA-area RNs combined. At 10 years, she earns $166,539 — 12% above the city median. At 25 years, she earns $179,678 — 21% above median, before any overtime or shift differentials.
Per Diem nurses at the same experience levels earn significantly more. A Per Diem Level III at 10 years earns $106.782/hr — $199,895/year at a 36-hour equivalent schedule. That is 35% above the Los Angeles median for all RNs.
The 4-Year Contract Progression (2026 to 2028)
The contract includes four wage increase dates. Here is how a Benefited Level III nurse at 10 years of experience progresses through the contract:
| Date | Hourly Rate (10yr L3) | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Previous (pre-contract) | $82.448 | $154,342 |
| Year 1 — March 9, 2026 | $88.985 | $166,539 |
| Year 2 — October 1, 2026 | $94.769 | $177,408 |
| Year 3 — August 1, 2027 | $97.612 | $182,729 |
| Year 3 — October 1, 2027 | $100.052 | $187,297 |
| Year 4 — October 1, 2028 | $103.054 | $192,917 |
From the previous rate through the end of the contract, this nurse receives a $38,575 annual salary increase — a 25% total raise over the contract period.
What This Means for Nurses Considering Kaiser SoCal
Kaiser Permanente SoCal is one of the few hospital systems in the country where a staff nurse can reach $100/hr before hitting the top of the experience grid. The Level III designation makes the wages higher, but even Level II nurses — Med/Surg and Tele — received the same percentage increases under this contract.
The UNAC/UHCP union represents nurses across Kaiser’s California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Oregon, and Washington facilities. The wages in this post apply specifically to the Southern California NON-ACP grid. Northern California nurses operate under a separate NUHW agreement with their own wage schedule.
The four-week February/March 2026 strike that led to this agreement was one of the most significant labor actions in California nursing history. The ratified contract is a direct result of that pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Level III nurse at Kaiser?
Level III nurses at Kaiser Permanente are RNs assigned to high-acuity specialty units, including the ICU, Emergency Department, PACU (post-anesthesia care), and Operating Room. Level III nurses earn more per hour than Level II nurses, who staff Medical/Surgical and Telemetry units. Your level is determined by your unit assignment, not solely your years of experience.
What is the difference between a Benefited and Per Diem RN at Kaiser?
Benefited RNs receive a guaranteed schedule (typically 36 hours per week), full health benefits, pension contributions, PTO, and sick leave. Per Diem RNs work on an as-needed basis with no guaranteed hours and limited benefits, but earn roughly 17-20% more per hour. A Per Diem Level III nurse with 10 years of experience earns $106.782/hr under this contract versus $88.985/hr for the Benefited rate.
Which union represents Kaiser SoCal nurses in this contract?
The nurses covered by this wage grid are represented by UNAC/UHCP (United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals). These nurses went on strike for four weeks in February and March 2026 before ratifying this tentative agreement. Northern California Kaiser nurses are represented by a separate union, NUHW, and have a different wage schedule.
What does a Kaiser SoCal nurse actually take home after taxes in Los Angeles?
California’s combined income tax burden (federal + state + FICA + SDI) typically runs 34-36% at Kaiser Level III salary ranges. A Benefited Level III nurse with 10 years of experience earning $166,539 gross in 2026 takes home approximately $109,116 after taxes — then $76,212 per year after paying average LA rent of $2,742/month. Map My Pay’s 2026 tax engine calculates exact figures by city and filing status. Search your city at MapMyPay.com.
Does this wage grid apply to ACP nurses?
No. The rates listed here are for the NON-ACP grid only. ACP (Advanced Clinical Practice) nurses, including certain NPs and CNSs working within Kaiser, are covered under a separate wage schedule and may have different rates at each experience step.
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Are you a Kaiser SoCal nurse affected by this contract? What does the new rate look like at your experience step — and does the math work after rent in your city? Drop it in the comments.