How much does a registered nurse make?
The median registered nurse in the United States earns $97,550 per year, about $46.90 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all registered nurses earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1141.
Registered nurse salary range
Pay for registered nurses spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $68,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $137,470. The average (mean) wage of $101,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,940 | $33.14 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $80,330 | $38.62 | |
| Median (50th) | $97,550 | $46.90 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $112,350 | $54.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $137,470 | $66.09 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Registered nurse salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Registered nurses earn the most in California at $140,270 a year, and the least in Alabama at $77,080. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $140,270 | 338,940 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | 12,940 |
| Oregon | $129,010 | 39,730 |
| Washington | $124,200 | 69,260 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | 7,510 |
| New York | $109,440 | 205,810 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 | 92,680 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 | 88,200 |
| Nevada | $103,670 | 27,070 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 | 40,110 |
| District of Columbia | $102,540 | 11,440 |
| Minnesota | $101,510 | 70,110 |
| Rhode Island | $100,640 | 10,090 |
| Colorado | $100,260 | 54,490 |
| Maryland | $99,790 | 52,910 |
| New Hampshire | $99,700 | 15,390 |
| Delaware | $99,520 | 14,290 |
| Arizona | $99,500 | 73,150 |
| Vermont | $97,460 | 7,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 | 146,520 |
| Illinois | $95,990 | 138,910 |
| Texas | $95,970 | 271,380 |
| Wisconsin | $95,530 | 68,060 |
| New Mexico | $94,340 | 17,980 |
| Michigan | $94,300 | 104,950 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | 77,490 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | 100,950 |
| Idaho | $92,460 | 16,880 |
| Maine | $86,990 | 16,540 |
| Montana | $85,280 | 10,950 |
| Nebraska | $84,730 | 24,720 |
| Utah | $84,600 | 27,420 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | 111,120 |
| Florida | $84,190 | 229,940 |
| Wyoming | $83,760 | 5,330 |
| Indiana | $83,500 | 68,980 |
| Oklahoma | $82,920 | 38,270 |
| Ohio | $82,510 | 143,730 |
| South Carolina | $82,360 | 49,750 |
| Missouri | $81,780 | 76,310 |
| Tennessee | $81,500 | 72,200 |
| Kentucky | $81,040 | 50,300 |
| North Dakota | $80,730 | 11,340 |
| Louisiana | $80,230 | 48,970 |
| West Virginia | $80,130 | 23,430 |
| Kansas | $79,320 | 33,800 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | 29,400 |
| Iowa | $78,630 | 34,420 |
| South Dakota | $78,060 | 14,710 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 | 29,060 |
| Alabama | $77,080 | 54,340 |
State median wages for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for registered nurses
The BLS projects employment of registered nurses to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,465,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,660,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 180,800 openings a year for registered nurses. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a registered nurse
The typical entry-level education for registered nurses is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a registered nurse earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $140,270) and the lowest (Alabama, $77,080) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,379,720 people work as registered nurses in the United States. At $97,550 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Registered nurse salary FAQ
How much does a registered nurse make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a registered nurse is $46.90. The middle half of registered nurses earn between $38.62 and $54.02 per hour.
What is the highest registered nurse salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of registered nurses earn more than $137,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a registered nurse make a year?
The median annual salary for a registered nurse is $97,550. The average (mean) wage of $101,420 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a registered nurse a well paid job?
At $97,550 a year, a registered nurse earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,379,720 people work as registered nurses in the United States.
Which state pays registered nurses the most?
California has the highest median salary for registered nurses at $140,270 a year. Hawaii ($136,320) and Oregon ($129,010) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a registered nurse a good career?
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 180,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a registered nurse?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for registered nurses as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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