Registered Nurse Jobs at
California State Prisons
Travel RNs at CDCR facilities currently earn $987–$3,446/week in 2026 — averaging $2,849/week. Pelican Bay State Prison pays the highest at $3,446/week (remote-location premium). 13-week contracts, predictable 3×12 schedule, no overnight call.
Active RN Openings by Facility
✓ Live data — 26 open RN contracts across 13 CDCR facilities, updated every 4 hours from the CatSol job database
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)
Crescent City, California
RN — Corrections (Days/Eves)
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Susanville, California
RN — Corrections (Days)
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP)
Soledad, California
RN — Psychiatric and Medical
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD)
San Diego, California
RN — Corrections
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)
Delano, California
RN — Corrections
Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF)
Chowchilla, California
RN — Corrections
Calipatria State Prison (CAL)
Calipatria, California
RN — Corrections
Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP)
Ione, California
RN — Corrections
Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)
Jamestown, California
RN — Corrections
California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC)
Represa, California
RN — Corrections (Days/Eves)
Avenal State Prison (ASP)
Avenal, California
RN — Corrections
California Correctional Institution (CCI)
Tehachapi, California
RN — Corrections
California Institution for Men (CIM)
Chino, California
RN — Corrections
Don't see your preferred location? Submit your profile and we'll notify you when new RN openings post.
Why RNs Choose CDCR Travel Nursing
California prison nursing isn't for everyone — but for the right RN, it's one of the best deals in travel nursing.
Premium Pay Packages
CDCR positions consistently pay 15–25% above equivalent hospital travel contracts in the same metro. Remote facilities like PBSP and HDSP add a location premium on top.
Predictable Schedules
No chaotic ER or holiday surge staffing. Most CDCR RN positions are 12-hour day or evening shifts with low mandatory overtime. Weekend rotation is structured and predictable.
Clinical Depth
CHCF Stockton operates ICU, telemetry, dialysis, and psychiatric units — real acute care in a corrections setting. Med-surg skills stay sharp across all facilities.
Location Variety
From Crescent City in the redwoods to Stockton in the Central Valley to Delano near Bakersfield — CDCR covers all of California. Remote locations pair with lower housing costs.
RN Requirements for California State Prisons
✓ Required
- ✓Active California RN license (CA is not NLC compact)
- ✓Minimum 1 year RN experience (med-surg, ER, or correctional)
- ✓Current BLS/CPR certification (AHA preferred)
- ✓Clean background check (required for all CDCR staff)
- ✓U.S. work authorization
+ Preferred (not required)
- +ICU, telemetry, or ER background (especially for CHCF)
- +Psychiatric nursing experience (for behavioral health units)
- +Prior correctional nursing (can fast-track approval)
- +ACLS or PALS certification
- +Bilingual (Spanish/English) for SoCal facilities
CA License Note: California is NOT part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). You must hold a CA-issued RN license or apply for endorsement. CatSol guides you through the process — typical timeline is 4–8 weeks.
CDCR RN Pay by Facility (2026)
Weekly all-in pay estimates including tax-free housing and meal stipends for a CA-licensed travel RN.
| Facility | Location | Weekly Pay | Why Higher/Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) | Crescent City · Far North | $3,366–3,446 | Remote premium — highest base rate |
| High Desert State Prison (HDSP) | Susanville · Northeast California | $3,286–3,346 | Remote NorCal premium |
| Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) & (SVSP/PP) | Soledad · Central Coast | $2,958–2,958.01 | Psych + medical hybrid facility |
| Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) | San Diego | $2,921–2,930.6 | 2 open contracts |
| Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) | Delano | $987–2,857 | 3 open contracts |
| Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) | Chowchilla | $2,805 | 1 open contract |
| Calipatria State Prison (CAL) | Calipatria | $2,786 | 2 open contracts |
| Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) | Ione | $2,786 | 2 open contracts |
| Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) | Jamestown | $2,786 | 1 open contract |
| California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC) | Represa · Greater Sacramento | $2,772 | 50 min from Sacramento — best take-home value |
| Avenal State Prison (ASP) | Avenal | $2,766 | 1 open contract |
| California Correctional Institution (CCI) | Tehachapi | $2,762 | 1 open contract |
| California Institution for Men (CIM) | Chino | $2,690–2,710 | 2 open contracts |
Weekly all-in ranges reflect current active CDCR contract inventory (refreshed every 4 hours) and include tax-free housing and meal stipends. Actual packages vary by shift, specialty, and contract terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel RNs earn at California state prisons?
Travel RNs at CDCR facilities currently earn about $2,600–$3,450 per week all-in, averaging roughly $2,900/week across active openings. Pelican Bay State Prison (Crescent City) pays the highest — around $3,450/week — due to its remote-location premium.
What experience do I need to work as an RN in a California prison?
Most CDCR positions require at least 1 year of med-surg, emergency, or correctional nursing experience. ICU or telemetry backgrounds are highly valued at CHCF Stockton. A current California RN license is required — travel nurses can apply for CA endorsement through CatSol.
Which California prison pays RNs the most?
Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City (Del Norte County) consistently pays the highest RN rates — currently around $3,350–$3,450/week. Its remote location in far northern California commands a location premium. High Desert State Prison (Susanville) and Salinas Valley State Prison also pay above the CDCR average.
Is correctional RN nursing dangerous?
CDCR facilities have strict security protocols and trained correctional officers present at all times. Most patient interactions are in a clinical setting. Travel nurses report that CDCR nursing feels safer than many urban hospital ERs because of the structured environment and security presence.
Do I need a California RN license to work at CDCR?
Yes. All RN positions at California state prisons require an active California RN license. California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. CatSol can help with the endorsement paperwork — typical processing time is 4–8 weeks from a compact state.
How long are CDCR travel nursing contracts?
Standard contracts are 13 weeks. Many nurses extend for additional 13-week blocks. CDCR facilities often prefer nurses who can commit to at least one extension due to the security clearance and onboarding overhead.
Talk to a CDCR Recruiting Specialist
CatSol has dedicated corrections recruiters who work CDCR placements exclusively. They know every facility, every shift, and how to get your CA license processed fast.
Call Us
(214) 738-2179
Mon–Fri 8am–6pm CT
Ask for corrections nursing
Text Us
Text "CDCR RN"
to (214) 738-2179
We reply within 2 hours
Email Us
jobs@catsol.com
Include your specialty
and CA license status
Don't have a California RN license yet? CatSol handles the BRN endorsement process — typical timeline 4–8 weeks. Contact us now and we'll start credentialing while you complete your application.
Ready to Start Your CDCR RN Contract?
CatSol specializes in California correctional placements. We handle CA license endorsement, CDCR credentialing, housing setup, and direct recruiter support.
Questions? Email jobs@catsol.com