Registered nurse salary
BLS occupation: Registered Nurses · also called RN · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $97,550 a year, US
Median hourly pay $46.90 an hour
Middle half earn $80,330–$112,350 25th to 75th percentile
Registered nurses employed 3,379,720 +5.6% projected by 2035
How much does a registered nurse make?
- The median registered nurse salary in the US is $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour): half of the 3,379,720 registered nurses BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $101,420.
- The middle half earn between $80,330 and $112,350. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $68,940 and the top 10% more than $137,470.
- That is 91% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays registered nurses the most (median $140,270), followed by Hawaii ($136,320) and Oregon ($129,010). Alabama pays the least ($77,080).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $126,689 in typical US prices, then Oregon and Hawaii.
- In 360 of the 370 metro areas with data, the median registered nurse salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of registered nurses to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 180,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what registered nurses are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Registered nurse salary range
Half of registered nurses earn between $80,330 and $112,350 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $68,940
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $80,330
Median Yearly pay: $97,550
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $112,350
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $137,470
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $68,940 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $80,330 |
| Median | $97,550 |
| Top 25% earn over | $112,350 |
| Top 10% earn over | $137,470 |
Registered nurse salary by state
California pays registered nurses the most; Alabama the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($97,550), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 median |
| Hawaii | $136,320 median |
| Oregon | $129,010 median |
| Washington | $124,200 median |
| Alaska | $109,480 median |
| New York | $109,440 median |
| New Jersey | $106,500 median |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 median |
| Nevada | $103,670 median |
| Connecticut | $102,740 median |
| District of Columbia | $102,540 median |
| Minnesota | $101,510 median |
| Rhode Island | $100,640 median |
| Colorado | $100,260 median |
| Maryland | $99,790 median |
| New Hampshire | $99,700 median |
| Delaware | $99,520 median |
| Arizona | $99,500 median |
| Vermont | $97,460 median |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 median |
| Illinois | $95,990 median |
| Texas | $95,970 median |
| Wisconsin | $95,530 median |
| New Mexico | $94,340 median |
| Michigan | $94,300 median |
| Virginia | $93,600 median |
| Georgia | $93,550 median |
| Idaho | $92,460 median |
| Maine | $86,990 median |
| Montana | $85,280 median |
| Nebraska | $84,730 median |
| Utah | $84,600 median |
| North Carolina | $84,350 median |
| Florida | $84,190 median |
| Wyoming | $83,760 median |
| Indiana | $83,500 median |
| Oklahoma | $82,920 median |
| Ohio | $82,510 median |
| South Carolina | $82,360 median |
| Missouri | $81,780 median |
| Tennessee | $81,500 median |
| Kentucky | $81,040 median |
| North Dakota | $80,730 median |
| Louisiana | $80,230 median |
| West Virginia | $80,130 median |
| Kansas | $79,320 median |
| Arkansas | $78,940 median |
| Iowa | $78,630 median |
| South Dakota | $78,060 median |
| Mississippi | $77,090 median |
| Alabama | $77,080 median |
Where registered nurse pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Registered nurses' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $126,689 |
| Oregon | $124,815 |
| Hawaii | $123,983 |
| Washington | $116,061 |
| Alaska | $106,957 |
| Nevada | $103,692 |
| Minnesota | $102,929 |
| New Mexico | $102,308 |
| Wisconsin | $101,525 |
| New York | $101,408 |
Registered nurse pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $140,270 | $67.44 | $101,260 | $213,320 | 338,940 | $126,689 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | $65.54 | $82,500 | $147,830 | 12,940 | $123,983 |
| Oregon | $129,010 | $62.02 | $95,280 | $155,010 | 39,730 | $124,815 |
| Washington | $124,200 | $59.71 | $89,630 | $161,910 | 69,260 | $116,061 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | $52.63 | $85,030 | $149,070 | 7,510 | $106,957 |
| New York | $109,440 | $52.62 | $79,760 | $157,090 | 205,810 | $101,408 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 | $51.20 | $83,060 | $135,170 | 92,680 | $97,882 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 | $50.26 | $80,310 | $174,510 | 88,200 | $98,859 |
| Nevada | $103,670 | $49.84 | $79,500 | $133,270 | 27,070 | $103,692 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 | $49.39 | $80,350 | $134,870 | 40,110 | $99,160 |
| District of Columbia | $102,540 | $49.30 | $79,390 | $151,170 | 11,440 | $93,302 |
| Minnesota | $101,510 | $48.80 | $79,960 | $132,430 | 70,110 | $102,929 |
| Rhode Island | $100,640 | $48.38 | $77,410 | $129,840 | 10,090 | $98,397 |
| Colorado | $100,260 | $48.20 | $79,500 | $124,940 | 54,490 | $97,291 |
| Maryland | $99,790 | $47.98 | $76,780 | $124,790 | 52,910 | $95,075 |
| New Hampshire | $99,700 | $47.93 | $75,610 | $123,190 | 15,390 | $95,714 |
| Delaware | $99,520 | $47.85 | $78,340 | $123,860 | 14,290 | $99,711 |
| Arizona | $99,500 | $47.84 | $70,540 | $130,930 | 73,150 | $98,831 |
| Vermont | $97,460 | $46.86 | $77,670 | $126,100 | 7,410 | $99,492 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 | $46.36 | $70,800 | $117,900 | 146,520 | $98,830 |
| Illinois | $95,990 | $46.15 | $69,170 | $118,190 | 138,910 | $96,030 |
| Texas | $95,970 | $46.14 | $67,120 | $127,950 | 271,380 | $98,880 |
| Wisconsin | $95,530 | $45.93 | $77,470 | $119,860 | 68,060 | $101,525 |
| New Mexico | $94,340 | $45.36 | $74,300 | $123,540 | 17,980 | $102,308 |
| Michigan | $94,300 | $45.34 | $77,260 | $116,710 | 104,950 | $98,008 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $45.00 | $67,830 | $125,580 | 77,490 | $92,578 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $44.98 | $68,920 | $128,640 | 100,950 | $97,151 |
| Idaho | $92,460 | $44.45 | $71,210 | $121,230 | 16,880 | $96,823 |
| Maine | $86,990 | $41.82 | $74,160 | $106,950 | 16,540 | $89,634 |
| Montana | $85,280 | $41.00 | $70,120 | $113,920 | 10,950 | $90,105 |
| Nebraska | $84,730 | $40.74 | $66,020 | $106,190 | 24,720 | $94,037 |
| Utah | $84,600 | $40.67 | $68,920 | $109,050 | 27,420 | $85,572 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $40.55 | $67,660 | $110,220 | 111,120 | $89,424 |
| Florida | $84,190 | $40.48 | $67,970 | $120,330 | 229,940 | $81,411 |
| Wyoming | $83,760 | $40.27 | $65,770 | $107,350 | 5,330 | $90,365 |
| Indiana | $83,500 | $40.14 | $66,750 | $105,750 | 68,980 | $89,468 |
| Oklahoma | $82,920 | $39.87 | $60,530 | $106,390 | 38,270 | $94,396 |
| Ohio | $82,510 | $39.67 | $66,980 | $105,290 | 143,730 | $88,937 |
| South Carolina | $82,360 | $39.60 | $66,860 | $106,520 | 49,750 | $87,852 |
| Missouri | $81,780 | $39.32 | $63,230 | $104,390 | 76,310 | $90,049 |
| Tennessee | $81,500 | $39.18 | $63,970 | $104,920 | 72,200 | $88,712 |
| Kentucky | $81,040 | $38.96 | $64,170 | $111,750 | 50,300 | $89,886 |
| North Dakota | $80,730 | $38.81 | $65,520 | $103,480 | 11,340 | $90,750 |
| Louisiana | $80,230 | $38.57 | $63,800 | $104,740 | 48,970 | $90,957 |
| West Virginia | $80,130 | $38.52 | $57,210 | $131,760 | 23,430 | $89,534 |
| Kansas | $79,320 | $38.13 | $63,180 | $100,840 | 33,800 | $88,067 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $37.95 | $60,780 | $103,660 | 29,400 | $90,801 |
| Iowa | $78,630 | $37.80 | $63,840 | $100,500 | 34,420 | $89,595 |
| South Dakota | $78,060 | $37.53 | $54,040 | $98,220 | 14,710 | $88,118 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 | $37.06 | $60,610 | $100,350 | 29,060 | $88,657 |
| Alabama | $77,080 | $37.06 | $58,150 | $98,910 | 54,340 | $86,779 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Registered nurse salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes registered nurse pay: 374 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $216,740
- Vallejo, CA $203,290
- San Francisco, CA $186,610
- Santa Rosa, CA $174,550
- Sacramento, CA $171,460
- Santa Cruz, CA $170,960
- Yuba City, CA $149,320
- Kahului, HI $144,350
- San Diego, CA $139,520
- Honolulu, HI $139,260
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $196,282
- Vallejo, CA $187,400
- Santa Rosa, CA $161,944
- San Francisco, CA $161,409
- Sacramento, CA $160,739
- Santa Cruz, CA $155,565
- Yuba City, CA $143,256
- Merced, CA $133,930
- Redding, CA $133,437
- Kahului, HI $131,955
All 374 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $216,740 | 22,930 | $196,282 | 21% |
| Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | 4,120 | $187,400 | 15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | 41,750 | $161,409 | 22% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | 3,720 | $161,944 | 18% |
| Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | 23,590 | $160,739 | 16% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | 1,750 | $155,565 | 24% |
| Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | 1,080 | $143,256 | 16% |
| Kahului, HI | $144,350 | 1,270 | $131,955 | 27% |
| San Diego, CA | $139,520 | 28,680 | $124,697 | 26% |
| Honolulu, HI | $139,260 | 9,680 | $125,504 | 26% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $138,820 | 2,180 | $127,832 | 24% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $137,360 | 3,280 | $126,252 | 29% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $135,560 | 109,360 | $119,367 | 26% |
| Bend, OR | $135,010 | 2,500 | $130,310 | 20% |
| Salinas, CA | $134,910 | 3,180 | $123,723 | 25% |
| Stockton, CA | $134,580 | 5,460 | $128,063 | 22% |
| Redding, CA | $134,350 | 1,720 | $133,437 | 15% |
| Riverside, CA | $133,940 | 35,290 | $125,834 | 23% |
| Modesto, CA | $132,590 | 4,850 | $127,358 | 19% |
| Salem, OR | $131,750 | 4,010 | $127,112 | 15% |
| Merced, CA | $131,620 | 1,050 | $133,930 | 19% |
| Oxnard, CA | $131,160 | 5,710 | $118,660 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $130,310 | 24,220 | $123,609 | 17% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $128,810 | 5,620 | $127,679 | 17% |
| Seattle, WA | $128,260 | 39,900 | $115,411 | 21% |
| Hanford, CA | $128,160 | 710 | $126,127 | 18% |
| Chico, CA | $127,360 | 2,170 | $125,854 | 15% |
| Medford, OR | $127,030 | 2,370 | $125,235 | 17% |
| Fresno, CA | $125,420 | 11,030 | $122,771 | 20% |
| Visalia, CA | $125,180 | 2,990 | $125,399 | 17% |
| Olympia, WA | $125,020 | 2,250 | $120,594 | 20% |
| New York, NY | $119,720 | 197,740 | $106,358 | 36% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $116,970 | 810 | $118,728 | 15% |
| Anchorage, AK | $115,290 | 4,990 | $109,363 | 20% |
| Eugene, OR | $113,720 | 3,590 | $111,964 | 19% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $112,280 | 1,330 | $108,112 | 19% |
| Albany, OR | $111,920 | 580 | $109,618 | 18% |
| Spokane, WA | $111,750 | 6,850 | $111,365 | 16% |
| Reno, NV | $107,520 | 4,850 | $106,441 | 23% |
| Bremerton, WA | $107,220 | 1,410 | $101,527 | 23% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $106,730 | 1,190 | $104,185 | 25% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $106,710 | 540 | $109,155 | 18% |
| Kennewick, WA | $106,410 | 2,560 | $106,326 | 19% |
| Boston, MA | $106,180 | 64,240 | $98,073 | 34% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $105,660 | 8,370 | $98,873 | 33% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $105,290 | 2,910 | $120,150 | 14% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $104,980 | 1,510 | $106,844 | 22% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $104,950 | 1,230 | $110,351 | 20% |
| New Haven, CT | $104,490 | 10,050 | $99,934 | 23% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $104,000 | 1,030 | $109,628 | 17% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $103,940 | 20,410 | $103,717 | 20% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $103,450 | 10,980 | $102,548 | 22% |
| El Centro, CA | $103,450 | 950 | $108,696 | 21% |
| Mankato, MN | $103,400 | 1,570 | $113,683 | 14% |
| Barnstable, MA | $103,380 | 1,860 | $105,113 | 30% |
| Vineland, NJ | $103,380 | 1,590 | $107,723 | 19% |
| Boulder, CO | $103,290 | 3,140 | $98,183 | 26% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $103,040 | 43,600 | $98,300 | 20% |
| Yakima, WA | $102,950 | 1,610 | $107,750 | 16% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $102,890 | 5,760 | $94,030 | 26% |
| Washington, DC | $102,710 | 46,830 | $94,330 | 28% |
| Binghamton, NY | $101,720 | 2,570 | $109,538 | 19% |
| Waterbury, CT | $101,690 | 3,050 | $101,916 | – |
| Rochester, MN | $101,660 | 6,390 | $111,934 | 19% |
| Hartford, CT | $101,470 | 13,850 | $98,758 | 24% |
| Allentown, PA | $101,440 | 10,860 | $101,472 | 22% |
| Dallas, TX | $101,420 | 76,680 | $98,380 | 20% |
| Carson City, NV | $101,370 | 820 | $103,302 | 25% |
| Norwich, CT | $101,330 | 2,460 | $100,881 | 25% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $101,270 | 1,150 | $101,025 | – |
| Madison, WI | $101,190 | 10,650 | $104,012 | 21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $101,180 | 73,790 | $98,660 | 23% |
| Denver, CO | $101,130 | 30,380 | $95,602 | 23% |
| Kingston, NY | $101,030 | 1,000 | $100,319 | 24% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100,830 | 53,700 | $97,594 | 20% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $100,790 | 1,090 | $102,048 | 23% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $100,780 | 1,570 | $100,454 | 25% |
| Atlanta, GA | $100,490 | 56,460 | $100,432 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $100,490 | 100,240 | $97,003 | 26% |
| Ithaca, NY | $100,320 | 940 | $97,099 | 24% |
| Worcester, MA | $100,240 | 10,070 | $97,773 | 25% |
| Trenton, NJ | $99,990 | 5,180 | $96,908 | 30% |
| Albany, NY | $99,970 | 10,230 | $100,406 | 20% |
| Providence, RI | $99,880 | 15,180 | $98,140 | 26% |
| Houston, TX | $99,830 | 65,910 | $101,218 | 20% |
| Baltimore, MD | $99,550 | 30,930 | $95,275 | 23% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $99,320 | 3,400 | $100,468 | 25% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $99,320 | 3,040 | $100,175 | 25% |
| Bozeman, MT | $99,310 | 1,070 | $96,878 | 27% |
| Buffalo, NY | $99,060 | 13,830 | $103,355 | 18% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $98,910 | 2,060 | $100,628 | 22% |
| Helena, MT | $98,690 | 990 | $103,151 | 20% |
| Manchester, NH | $98,600 | 5,210 | $93,321 | 26% |
| Reading, PA | $98,470 | 3,430 | $101,453 | 19% |
| Springfield, MA | $98,410 | 5,830 | $102,445 | 24% |
| La Crosse, WI | $98,370 | 2,920 | $107,193 | 17% |
| Burlington, VT | $98,330 | 3,150 | $97,406 | 32% |
| Austin, TX | $97,890 | 18,920 | $99,821 | 20% |
| Boise, ID | $97,880 | 8,550 | $99,481 | 24% |
| Flint, MI | $97,780 | 3,910 | $105,101 | 13% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $97,600 | – | $96,511 | 24% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $97,520 | 1,480 | $107,708 | 14% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $97,360 | 22,400 | $100,436 | 19% |
| Detroit, MI | $97,280 | 44,310 | $96,991 | 19% |
| Duluth, MN | $96,940 | 4,410 | $109,206 | 16% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $96,770 | 9,210 | $98,094 | 18% |
| Greeley, CO | $96,300 | 1,390 | $96,131 | 21% |
| Lebanon, PA | $96,270 | 1,300 | $103,278 | 18% |
| York, PA | $96,210 | 3,680 | $100,219 | 17% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $96,140 | 6,800 | $95,465 | 22% |
| Watertown, NY | $96,070 | 900 | $109,556 | 19% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $96,040 | 10,290 | $100,517 | 19% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $95,990 | 2,130 | $100,538 | 22% |
| Pueblo, CO | $95,720 | 2,040 | $104,313 | 17% |
| Winchester, VA | $95,650 | 1,630 | $99,171 | 23% |
| Saginaw, MI | $95,160 | 2,570 | $104,697 | 13% |
| Salisbury, MD | $94,880 | 1,620 | $99,229 | 25% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $94,780 | 930 | $94,065 | 26% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $94,540 | 1,130 | $97,978 | 19% |
| San Antonio, TX | $94,370 | 23,660 | $99,635 | 18% |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,320 | 1,640 | $101,741 | 18% |
| Utica, NY | $94,300 | 2,600 | $101,750 | 18% |
| Williamsport, PA | $94,300 | 1,230 | $102,112 | 14% |
| Tucson, AZ | $94,110 | 10,120 | $97,125 | 19% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $93,990 | 1,290 | $99,885 | 20% |
| Bangor, ME | $93,940 | 2,190 | $97,339 | 19% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $93,890 | 960 | $102,452 | 14% |
| Richmond, VA | $93,580 | 15,700 | $95,628 | 22% |
| South Bend, IN | $93,540 | 3,370 | $100,734 | 16% |
| Killeen, TX | $93,440 | 5,340 | $102,533 | 17% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $93,410 | 2,420 | $100,662 | 15% |
| Naples, FL | $93,330 | 3,110 | $90,436 | 34% |
| Janesville, WI | $93,030 | 1,680 | $99,282 | 17% |
| Waco, TX | $92,890 | 2,570 | $100,367 | 18% |
| Charleston, SC | $92,800 | 9,760 | $91,916 | 26% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $92,770 | 2,240 | $98,512 | 21% |
| Staunton, VA | $92,390 | 1,500 | $101,385 | 19% |
| Dover, DE | $91,620 | 1,700 | $93,962 | 23% |
| Miami, FL | $91,380 | 61,670 | $80,049 | 35% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $90,690 | 2,460 | $105,635 | 18% |
| Charlotte, NC | $90,620 | 27,010 | $93,089 | 23% |
| Champaign, IL | $90,230 | 3,520 | $97,331 | 18% |
| Lancaster, PA | $89,620 | 5,640 | $91,210 | 21% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $89,450 | 16,870 | $91,330 | 25% |
| Wausau, WI | $89,190 | 1,830 | $96,264 | 13% |
| Racine, WI | $89,090 | 1,510 | $92,840 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $88,470 | 6,970 | $86,856 | 31% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $88,260 | 480 | $92,536 | 19% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $88,200 | 3,300 | $92,999 | 18% |
| Elkhart, IN | $88,100 | 1,650 | $97,537 | 16% |
| Augusta, GA | $87,760 | 6,880 | $95,492 | 20% |
| Lewiston, ID | $87,650 | 730 | $96,150 | 20% |
| Lincoln, NE | $87,530 | 4,200 | $95,577 | 18% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $87,340 | 2,050 | $93,986 | 18% |
| Decatur, IL | $87,170 | 790 | $98,584 | 15% |
| Syracuse, NY | $86,960 | 8,180 | $90,827 | 22% |
| Amarillo, TX | $86,850 | 3,030 | $94,587 | 18% |
| Savannah, GA | $86,760 | 4,200 | $91,129 | 24% |
| Appleton, WI | $86,680 | 2,310 | $93,790 | 17% |
| Rochester, NY | $86,570 | 12,340 | $89,215 | 21% |
| St. George, UT | $86,380 | 1,910 | $88,758 | 26% |
| Midland, MI | $86,360 | 1,380 | $93,950 | 19% |
| Sumter, SC | $86,260 | 670 | $98,000 | 20% |
| Kankakee, IL | $86,220 | 1,390 | $89,445 | 18% |
| North Port, FL | $86,130 | 8,380 | $84,097 | 29% |
| Logan, UT | $86,120 | 830 | $89,777 | 20% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $86,120 | 10,180 | $93,565 | 21% |
| El Paso, TX | $86,100 | 7,320 | $95,760 | 21% |
| Iowa City, IA | $85,940 | 4,090 | $93,914 | 25% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $85,890 | 14,070 | $85,151 | 23% |
| Lewiston, ME | $85,870 | 1,280 | $90,641 | 22% |
| Sebring, FL | $85,690 | 930 | $92,668 | 21% |
| Tampa, FL | $85,470 | 38,720 | $84,716 | 28% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $85,380 | 560 | $95,671 | 18% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $85,270 | 1,030 | $90,097 | 19% |
| Macon, GA | $85,070 | 3,100 | $96,094 | 17% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,010 | 1,910 | $96,630 | 14% |
| Louisville, KY | $84,850 | 18,180 | $91,164 | 19% |
| Raleigh, NC | $84,830 | 12,780 | $86,423 | 24% |
| Tulsa, OK | $84,790 | 10,880 | $95,041 | 19% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $84,750 | 870 | $92,035 | 22% |
| Green Bay, WI | $84,700 | 4,680 | $90,991 | 16% |
| Omaha, NE | $84,600 | 13,200 | $92,046 | 20% |
| Johnstown, PA | $84,390 | 1,190 | $98,209 | 13% |
| Columbia, MO | $84,330 | 3,680 | $94,289 | 21% |
| Lansing, MI | $84,320 | 4,120 | $88,766 | 19% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $84,240 | 1,130 | $89,604 | 19% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $84,230 | 25,800 | $88,018 | 22% |
| Springfield, IL | $84,220 | 4,110 | $90,808 | 17% |
| Burlington, NC | $84,180 | 1,080 | $90,326 | 19% |
| Deltona, FL | $84,180 | 6,600 | $84,716 | 25% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $84,110 | 1,540 | $89,088 | 20% |
| Nashville, TN | $84,040 | 25,100 | $87,235 | 26% |
| Lakeland, FL | $84,030 | 6,140 | $86,503 | 26% |
| Cleveland, OH | $83,940 | 28,240 | $89,371 | 21% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $83,920 | 13,740 | $87,832 | 23% |
| Columbus, OH | $83,900 | 30,510 | $87,882 | 22% |
| Rome, GA | $83,880 | 1,740 | $93,034 | 18% |
| Evansville, IN | $83,820 | 3,890 | $91,579 | 16% |
| Casper, WY | $83,760 | 870 | $89,269 | 20% |
| Sherman, TX | $83,700 | 1,580 | $89,260 | 19% |
| Traverse City, MI | $83,690 | 2,020 | $89,631 | 27% |
| Victoria, TX | $83,680 | 1,080 | $93,144 | 17% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $83,650 | 28,520 | $87,711 | 22% |
| Orlando, FL | $83,550 | 30,150 | $82,382 | 28% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $83,520 | 18,940 | $83,953 | 24% |
| Kokomo, IN | $83,370 | 740 | $92,997 | 16% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $83,310 | 1,280 | $92,349 | 21% |
| Dalton, GA | $83,290 | 1,000 | $92,705 | 20% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $83,280 | 1,470 | $93,037 | 19% |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,180 | 35,200 | $87,477 | 21% |
| Kenosha, WI | $83,110 | 1,730 | $82,191 | – |
| College Station, TX | $83,090 | 2,950 | $91,357 | 22% |
| Farmington, NM | $83,070 | 840 | $94,713 | 20% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $83,060 | 3,430 | $90,304 | 21% |
| Kansas City, MO | $83,040 | 29,650 | $89,731 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $82,920 | 16,530 | $91,718 | 20% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $82,860 | 8,700 | $80,958 | 26% |
| Greensboro, NC | $82,860 | 6,240 | $89,226 | 20% |
| Elmira, NY | $82,820 | 730 | $87,735 | 17% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $82,740 | 950 | $93,532 | 22% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $82,690 | 4,800 | $89,230 | 21% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $82,680 | 890 | $89,764 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $82,650 | 5,400 | $88,343 | 20% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $82,640 | 1,470 | $96,006 | 15% |
| Brunswick, GA | $82,630 | 1,010 | $94,210 | 24% |
| Jackson, MS | $82,630 | 8,700 | $92,793 | 21% |
| Grand Island, NE | $82,590 | 830 | $95,307 | 19% |
| Dayton, OH | $82,510 | 11,640 | $89,013 | 19% |
| Columbus, GA | $82,500 | 2,790 | $92,389 | 20% |
| Hinesville, GA | $82,490 | 270 | $87,818 | 25% |
| Altoona, PA | $82,410 | 1,390 | $92,071 | 15% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,370 | 29,360 | $87,007 | 21% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $82,360 | 4,440 | $90,455 | 21% |
| Billings, MT | $82,300 | 2,550 | $87,997 | 20% |
| Michigan City, IN | $82,300 | 790 | $89,767 | 18% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $82,300 | 1,180 | $93,510 | 19% |
| Athens, GA | $82,200 | 2,400 | $88,062 | 26% |
| Monroe, MI | $82,170 | 630 | $87,890 | 19% |
| Missoula, MT | $82,160 | 1,570 | $85,188 | 24% |
| Fargo, ND | $82,120 | 4,790 | $90,370 | 16% |
| Midland, TX | $82,120 | 1,210 | $85,735 | 23% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $82,090 | 5,310 | $81,903 | 34% |
| Lafayette, LA | $81,960 | 4,930 | $93,981 | 20% |
| Columbia, SC | $81,920 | 9,400 | $87,463 | 23% |
| Gainesville, FL | $81,870 | 7,470 | $84,635 | 24% |
| New Orleans, LA | $81,850 | 11,530 | $88,394 | 23% |
| Ogden, UT | $81,840 | 3,890 | $81,555 | 24% |
| Topeka, KS | $81,820 | 3,190 | $92,119 | 18% |
| Provo, UT | $81,780 | 4,770 | $83,252 | 26% |
| Alexandria, LA | $81,680 | 2,170 | $95,325 | 15% |
| Greenville, NC | $81,670 | 3,770 | $92,385 | 22% |
| Asheville, NC | $81,590 | 4,680 | $84,544 | 25% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $81,550 | 1,600 | $92,885 | 14% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $81,520 | 1,510 | $92,284 | 27% |
| Memphis, TN | $81,500 | 13,760 | $88,415 | 21% |
| Lubbock, TX | $81,480 | 5,070 | $89,228 | 20% |
| State College, PA | $81,480 | 1,310 | $84,207 | 29% |
| Lima, OH | $81,440 | 1,630 | $90,823 | 18% |
| Greenville, SC | $81,400 | 9,730 | $87,283 | 23% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $81,400 | 1,410 | $83,047 | 29% |
| Odessa, TX | $81,370 | 1,140 | $86,660 | 23% |
| Sandusky, OH | $81,310 | 940 | $91,072 | 27% |
| Mansfield, OH | $81,300 | 1,160 | $91,480 | 13% |
| Sebastian, FL | $81,300 | 1,880 | $82,699 | 31% |
| Crestview, FL | $81,260 | 1,900 | $83,746 | 29% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $81,230 | 1,330 | $87,617 | 25% |
| Beaumont, TX | $81,180 | 3,100 | $90,154 | 19% |
| Florence, SC | $81,170 | 3,120 | $93,542 | 22% |
| Slidell, LA | $81,160 | 3,190 | $87,527 | – |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $81,130 | 8,290 | $89,370 | 20% |
| Bismarck, ND | $81,120 | 2,400 | $89,119 | 19% |
| Brownsville, TX | $81,090 | 2,930 | $94,318 | 22% |
| Little Rock, AR | $81,070 | 11,550 | $90,719 | 18% |
| Toledo, OH | $81,050 | 7,890 | $88,623 | 19% |
| Huntington, WV | $81,010 | 5,580 | $91,617 | 16% |
| Peoria, IL | $81,010 | 5,460 | $88,797 | 17% |
| Wilmington, NC | $80,970 | 5,040 | $83,975 | 26% |
| Rockford, IL | $80,930 | 4,620 | $87,820 | 19% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $80,900 | 5,440 | $80,896 | 28% |
| Lafayette, IN | $80,790 | 2,080 | $86,471 | 22% |
| Akron, OH | $80,770 | 8,040 | $86,505 | 19% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $80,640 | 3,150 | $86,115 | 26% |
| Texarkana, TX | $80,610 | 1,760 | $95,951 | 19% |
| Lawton, OK | $80,570 | 990 | $93,750 | 17% |
| McAllen, TX | $80,540 | 5,400 | $93,766 | 17% |
| Minot, ND | $80,490 | 620 | $92,487 | 19% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $80,450 | 2,200 | $90,026 | 19% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $80,410 | 1,430 | $79,990 | 28% |
| Albany, GA | $80,390 | – | $91,697 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $80,370 | 1,630 | $84,525 | 26% |
| Tyler, TX | $80,340 | 4,430 | $87,178 | 20% |
| Longview, TX | $80,330 | 2,480 | $89,769 | 17% |
| Abilene, TX | $80,240 | 1,680 | $88,796 | 30% |
| Charleston, WV | $80,230 | 4,320 | $90,434 | 18% |
| Morgantown, WV | $80,130 | 4,510 | $85,863 | 20% |
| Roanoke, VA | $80,090 | 4,670 | $85,550 | 21% |
| San Angelo, TX | $80,080 | 1,710 | $86,617 | 20% |
| Shreveport, LA | $80,080 | 6,390 | $94,472 | 19% |
| Hickory, NC | $80,060 | 3,020 | $90,478 | 24% |
| Springfield, OH | $80,060 | 1,060 | $88,482 | 18% |
| Erie, PA | $80,000 | 3,060 | $87,960 | 17% |
| Bloomington, IL | $79,970 | 1,990 | $85,496 | 19% |
| Paducah, KY | $79,920 | 1,720 | $92,840 | 17% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $79,870 | 2,180 | $92,993 | 16% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $79,770 | 6,460 | $87,215 | 23% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $79,630 | 6,450 | $86,020 | 19% |
| Canton, OH | $79,610 | 3,830 | $89,043 | 17% |
| Montgomery, AL | $79,570 | 3,990 | $88,725 | 21% |
| Muncie, IN | $79,500 | 1,220 | $90,189 | 16% |
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 5,260 | $90,229 | 19% |
| Clarksville, TN | $79,450 | 1,670 | $87,359 | 20% |
| Daphne, AL | $79,450 | 1,770 | $83,905 | 26% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $79,430 | 3,400 | $84,573 | 22% |
| Rapid City, SD | $79,380 | 2,480 | $89,031 | 22% |
| Springfield, MO | $79,370 | 6,820 | $89,598 | 19% |
| Ocala, FL | $79,230 | 3,040 | $83,195 | 24% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,120 | 1,870 | $87,737 | 18% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $79,070 | 1,280 | $91,238 | 17% |
| Lexington, KY | $79,040 | 8,070 | $85,091 | 24% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $79,000 | 910 | $90,736 | 16% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,980 | 1,090 | $84,210 | 23% |
| Gulfport, MS | $78,960 | 3,740 | $87,727 | 22% |
| Manhattan, KS | $78,960 | 810 | $87,576 | 19% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $78,940 | 1,990 | $91,923 | 19% |
| Pocatello, ID | $78,780 | 830 | $88,610 | 16% |
| Beckley, WV | $78,680 | 1,320 | $89,036 | 16% |
| Birmingham, AL | $78,680 | 17,850 | $85,854 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $78,680 | 4,090 | $90,029 | 16% |
| Des Moines, IA | $78,630 | 8,130 | $85,746 | 20% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $78,590 | 1,160 | $91,672 | 19% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $78,370 | 2,880 | $88,093 | 19% |
| Great Falls, MT | $78,290 | 880 | $80,841 | 22% |
| Wheeling, WV | $78,280 | 1,680 | $88,629 | 13% |
| Monroe, LA | $78,270 | 2,340 | $93,628 | 18% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $78,080 | 890 | $83,538 | 27% |
| Enid, OK | $78,060 | 810 | $92,632 | 17% |
| Auburn, AL | $78,040 | 1,430 | $88,749 | 25% |
| Lawrence, KS | $78,020 | 700 | $86,455 | 24% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $77,930 | 870 | $86,042 | 20% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $77,910 | 4,870 | $85,285 | 24% |
| Pensacola, FL | $77,890 | 5,070 | $79,710 | 27% |
| Gadsden, AL | $77,810 | 1,210 | $90,843 | 17% |
| Johnson City, TN | $77,660 | 2,740 | $88,322 | 23% |
| Weirton, WV | $77,400 | 1,190 | $86,943 | 13% |
| Knoxville, TN | $77,240 | 9,500 | $83,440 | 27% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $77,240 | 1,490 | $89,417 | 16% |
| Ames, IA | $77,160 | 1,070 | $86,863 | 18% |
| Davenport, IA | $77,150 | 3,520 | $86,609 | 16% |
| The Villages, FL | $77,110 | 960 | $90,267 | 27% |
| Huntsville, AL | $77,090 | 6,800 | $82,828 | 22% |
| Laredo, TX | $77,050 | 1,760 | $88,608 | 18% |
| Columbus, IN | $77,030 | 640 | $82,825 | 21% |
| Waterloo, IA | $76,920 | 1,890 | $88,356 | 16% |
| Dubuque, IA | $76,790 | 1,280 | $87,933 | 17% |
| Kingsport, TN | $76,730 | 2,660 | $88,760 | 21% |
| Wichita, KS | $76,540 | 7,460 | $86,052 | 19% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $76,270 | 2,190 | $87,033 | 21% |
| Hammond, LA | $76,200 | 1,260 | $90,220 | 21% |
| Sioux City, IA | $75,840 | 1,600 | $87,723 | 20% |
| Houma, LA | $75,740 | 1,460 | $88,998 | 21% |
| Morristown, TN | $75,680 | 710 | $87,629 | 25% |
| Jackson, TN | $75,610 | 1,930 | $88,410 | 22% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $75,350 | 7,680 | $83,139 | 20% |
| Panama City, FL | $75,310 | 1,610 | $77,403 | 28% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $75,250 | 2,590 | $85,782 | 27% |
| Joplin, MO | $74,930 | 2,670 | $87,415 | 20% |
| Valdosta, GA | $74,360 | 1,110 | $84,241 | 21% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $73,660 | 340 | $87,895 | 19% |
| Cleveland, TN | $72,800 | 630 | $82,652 | 23% |
| Anniston, AL | $72,730 | 990 | $84,620 | 16% |
| Decatur, AL | $68,320 | 960 | $78,338 | 19% |
| Dothan, AL | $67,430 | 1,940 | $80,434 | 22% |
| Florence, AL | $66,360 | 1,320 | $78,239 | 19% |
What the median registered nurse salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $97,550 |
| Month | $8,129 |
| Every two weeks | $3,752 |
| Week | $1,876 |
| Hour | $46.90 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a registered nurse: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.6% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 180,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about registered nurse pay
How much does a registered nurse make an hour?
The median is $46.90 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33.14 and the top 10% over $66.09.
How much does a registered nurse make a month?
About $8,129 a month before taxes at the median salary of $97,550, or $3,752 every two weeks.
What state pays registered nurses the most?
California, with a median of $140,270. Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010), Washington ($124,200) and Alaska ($109,480) follow.
Where do registered nurses make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $140,270 is worth $126,689 at typical US prices. Oregon, Hawaii and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level registered nurses make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of registered nurses earn under $68,940 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $80,330, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a registered nurse?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1141 (Registered Nurses). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.