The national median salary for a registered nurse (RN) is $86,070 per year as of the most recent BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. The average (mean) wage is approximately $89,000, pulled higher by top-earning states and specialties. New graduate RNs typically start at $60,000–$72,000, while experienced nurses in California or critical care specialties routinely earn $110,000–$140,000.
Registered Nurse Salary by State (2026)
State pay varies dramatically — California RNs earn more than twice what Mississippi RNs earn. Cost of living explains part of the gap, but union strength, staffing ratios, and local demand are also major factors.
| State | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,520 |
| Alaska | $92,130 |
| Arizona | $85,470 |
| Arkansas | $65,190 |
| California | $133,340 |
| Colorado | $86,190 |
| Connecticut | $93,960 |
| Delaware | $80,690 |
| Florida | $74,880 |
| Georgia | $71,570 |
| Hawaii | $113,220 |
| Idaho | $73,500 |
| Illinois | $80,020 |
| Indiana | $70,760 |
| Iowa | $63,970 |
| Kansas | $67,080 |
| Kentucky | $67,600 |
| Louisiana | $69,480 |
| Maine | $74,460 |
| Maryland | $84,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,200 |
| Michigan | $74,870 |
| Minnesota | $86,260 |
| Mississippi | $62,730 |
| Missouri | $67,450 |
| Montana | $71,810 |
| Nebraska | $69,420 |
| Nevada | $89,680 |
| New Hampshire | $83,860 |
| New Jersey | $96,820 |
| New Mexico | $76,210 |
| New York | $101,570 |
| North Carolina | $71,470 |
| North Dakota | $68,050 |
| Ohio | $71,080 |
| Oklahoma | $68,790 |
| Oregon | $106,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,700 |
| Rhode Island | $88,970 |
| South Carolina | $69,850 |
| South Dakota | $61,290 |
| Tennessee | $67,760 |
| Texas | $78,060 |
| Utah | $76,320 |
| Vermont | $77,730 |
| Virginia | $79,000 |
| Washington | $103,890 |
| West Virginia | $61,490 |
| Wisconsin | $74,970 |
| Wyoming | $70,430 |
| Washington, D.C. | $108,470 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024. Figures represent annual mean wage.
RN Salary by Specialty
Your nursing specialty has a larger impact on pay than your state in many cases:
| Specialty | Median Annual Pay |
|---|---|
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) | $214,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,260 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | $93,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care | $88,000–$115,000 |
| Emergency Room | $82,000–$105,000 |
| Operating Room (Perioperative) | $80,000–$108,000 |
| Labor & Delivery | $78,000–$100,000 |
| Med/Surg (General Floor) | $68,000–$85,000 |
| Long-Term Care / SNF | $62,000–$78,000 |
| Home Health | $60,000–$74,000 |
RN Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Typical Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New graduate (0–1 year) | $60,000–$72,000 |
| 1–3 years | $68,000–$82,000 |
| 3–5 years | $75,000–$92,000 |
| 5–10 years | $82,000–$105,000 |
| 10+ years | $90,000–$120,000+ |
Experience matters most in the first five years. After that, specialty, setting, and geography drive pay more than tenure alone.
Worked Example: What Does an RN Actually Take Home?
An RN in Texas earning the state average of $78,060 per year:
- Gross monthly pay: $6,505
- Federal income tax (22% bracket, single): ~$1,030/month
- Social Security + Medicare (FICA, 7.65%): ~$498/month
- Texas state income tax: $0 (no state income tax)
- Estimated net monthly take-home: ~$4,977/month (~$59,700/year)
In California at $133,340:
- Estimated net take-home: ~$83,000–$87,000/year after federal + 9.3% California state tax
Travel Nurse Pay vs. Staff RN Pay
Travel nurses earn 30–80% more than equivalent staff RNs but trade schedule stability and benefits for higher pay. A typical travel contract pays:
- Base hourly rate: $28–$40/hour (taxable)
- Tax-free housing stipend: $1,200–$2,200/month
- Tax-free meal stipend: $350–$600/month
- Total weekly gross: $2,000–$4,000+
On a $3,000/week contract over 13 weeks, a travel nurse earns $39,000 per assignment — equivalent to $120,000 annualized across four assignments.
How to Increase Your RN Salary
- Move to a high-paying state. California pays $55,000 more per year than Mississippi for the same role. Even relocating to Washington or Oregon can add $25,000–$35,000.
- Pursue a specialty certification. CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), or CNOR (OR) certifications typically add $2–$6/hour.
- Become a travel nurse. Most staff RNs qualify after 1–2 years of experience.
- Advance to NP or CRNA. Nurse practitioners earn $126,000 median; CRNAs earn $214,000 median.
- Pick up overtime. At time-and-a-half, an RN earning $45/hour earns $67.50/hour for overtime — adding $10,000–$20,000 per year for nurses willing to work extra shifts.
RN Job Outlook
The BLS projects registered nursing jobs to grow 6% through 2033 — faster than average — adding approximately 193,100 positions. The nursing shortage is most acute in rural areas, long-term care, and the South/Midwest. New nurses have strong negotiating leverage in high-demand markets.
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