Updated October 2026 with the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2025 wages, released May 2026).
How much does a registered nurse make? The median registered nurse salary in the United States is $97,550 a year, or $46.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Where you work makes a huge difference. RNs in California earn a median of $140,270, while nurses in Alabama and Mississippi earn about $77,000.
Top 10 highest-paying states for RNs
- California: $140,270
- Hawaii: $136,320
- Oregon: $129,010
- Washington: $124,200
- Alaska: $109,480
- New York: $109,440
- New Jersey: $106,500
- Massachusetts: $104,550
- Nevada: $103,670
- Connecticut: $102,740
RN salary in every state
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $67.44 | $140,270 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $65.54 | $136,320 |
| 3 | Oregon | $62.02 | $129,010 |
| 4 | Washington | $59.71 | $124,200 |
| 5 | Alaska | $52.64 | $109,480 |
| 6 | New York | $52.62 | $109,440 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $51.20 | $106,500 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $50.27 | $104,550 |
| 9 | Nevada | $49.84 | $103,670 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $49.39 | $102,740 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $49.30 | $102,540 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $48.80 | $101,510 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $48.39 | $100,640 |
| 14 | Colorado | $48.20 | $100,260 |
| 15 | Maryland | $47.98 | $99,790 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $47.93 | $99,700 |
| 17 | Delaware | $47.85 | $99,520 |
| 18 | Arizona | $47.84 | $99,500 |
| 19 | Vermont | $46.86 | $97,460 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $46.36 | $96,430 |
| 21 | Illinois | $46.15 | $95,990 |
| 22 | Texas | $46.14 | $95,970 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $45.93 | $95,530 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $45.36 | $94,340 |
| 25 | Michigan | $45.34 | $94,300 |
| 26 | Virginia | $45.00 | $93,600 |
| 27 | Georgia | $44.98 | $93,550 |
| 28 | Idaho | $44.45 | $92,460 |
| 29 | Maine | $41.82 | $86,990 |
| 30 | Montana | $41.00 | $85,280 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $40.74 | $84,730 |
| 32 | Utah | $40.67 | $84,600 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $40.56 | $84,350 |
| 34 | Florida | $40.48 | $84,190 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $40.27 | $83,760 |
| 36 | Indiana | $40.14 | $83,500 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $39.87 | $82,920 |
| 38 | Ohio | $39.67 | $82,510 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $39.60 | $82,360 |
| 40 | Missouri | $39.32 | $81,780 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $39.18 | $81,500 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $38.96 | $81,040 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $38.81 | $80,730 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $38.57 | $80,230 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $38.52 | $80,130 |
| 46 | Kansas | $38.14 | $79,320 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $37.95 | $78,940 |
| 48 | Iowa | $37.80 | $78,630 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $37.53 | $78,060 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $37.06 | $77,090 |
| 51 | Alabama | $37.06 | $77,080 |
RN pay by work setting
| Setting | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Government | $110,780 |
| Hospitals | $100,220 |
| Ambulatory health care (clinics, outpatient) | $91,230 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $84,300 |
| Educational services | $78,620 |
Does a higher salary mean more money in your pocket?
Not always. California, Hawaii and New York pay the most, but they also have some of the highest housing costs. Adjusted for cost of living, states with mid-range salaries and cheaper housing, such as Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, can leave nurses better off. Before relocating, compare rent, state income tax (Texas, Nevada, Florida, Washington and Alaska have none) and union representation.
7 ways to increase your RN salary
- Work nights, weekends or holidays: shift differentials often add 10–20%.
- Get certified in your specialty (CCRN, CEN, OCN and others). Many hospitals pay a bonus or hourly premium.
- Earn a BSN: many Magnet hospitals pay BSN nurses more and promote them faster.
- Move into a high-acuity specialty such as ICU, OR, cath lab or labor and delivery.
- Try travel nursing: short contracts with tax-free stipends can pay far above staff rates.
- Join or work at a unionized hospital: 2026 contracts brought raises of 13–21.5% (see our 2026 nurse strikes roundup).
- Become an advanced practice nurse: nurse practitioners earn a median of $132,300, and nurse anesthetists $236,590.
Job outlook
There are about 3.47 million RN jobs in the US. Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 180,800 openings every year.
FAQ
Which state pays registered nurses the most? California, with a median of $140,270 a year ($67.44 an hour).
Which state pays RNs the least? Alabama and Mississippi, at a median of about $77,000.
How much do new grad nurses make? Usually less than the median. Entry-level pay depends heavily on the state and hospital, and many new grads start between the 10th and 25th percentile for their area.
Do RNs make six figures? Yes. In 13 states and DC the median RN salary is above $100,000, and many experienced nurses elsewhere pass $100,000 with overtime and differentials.
Related: NCLEX pass rates 2026 · Graduate nursing loans 2026
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses (May 2025 data); BLS OEWS state data via Becker’s Hospital Review, “RN median pay by state” (2026).