Registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) are one of the largest and most in-demand healthcare occupations in the United States.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of approximately $81,220 — about $39.05 per hour — as of the most recent OEWS data.
BLS projects employment to grow about 6 percent through 2032, generating roughly 177,400 openings per year — making it one of the largest sources of new healthcare job openings of any occupation.
Registered nurses assess patients, administer medications, coordinate care, and educate patients and families across diverse clinical settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities.
Compensation is influenced by geographic market, nursing specialty, work setting, union representation, years of experience, and education level (ADN vs. BSN vs. MSN).
Specialty-area nurses in intensive care, operating rooms, emergency departments, and neonatal care units typically earn above the overall RN median — for a specialty breakdown, see the guide on highest-paid nursing specialties.
Entry-level nurses considering where to start on the credential ladder should also compare the LPN salary and the CNA salary against the RN median.
Registered Nurse Salary Overview (2026)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) earned a median annual wage of approximately $81,220 ($39.05/hr) based on the most recent OEWS data. The table below shows the full national wage distribution across percentile levels for this occupation.
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 25th | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| 50th (Median) | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| 75th | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| 90th | $120,000 | $57.69 |
These are national estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
They encompass all registered nurses across all settings and specialties.
Hospital-based specialty nurses and those in high-cost states typically earn above the median, while school nurses and certain outpatient settings may earn closer to the 25th percentile.
To see exactly how wages like $39 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $39 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Registered Nurse Pay by Experience Level
Registered nurse compensation typically follows a clear upward trajectory with experience, specialty expertise, and educational advancement. The table below reflects typical annual salary ranges by career stage based on BLS data and industry benchmarks as of 2026.
| Experience Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| New Graduate RN (0–2 years) | $61,000 – $73,000 |
| Mid-Career RN (3–9 years) | $73,000 – $97,000 |
| Experienced / Specialty RN (10+ years) | $97,000 – $120,000+ |
| Advanced Practice RN (NP, CRNA, CNS) | $120,000 – $230,000+ |
RNs who advance to advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) roles — including nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) — access substantially higher wage ranges.
CRNAs in particular earn a BLS median exceeding $200,000 annually.
Registered Nurse Salary by State and Region
Geographic location is one of the most significant determinants of registered nurse compensation. State-level factors including nurse staffing laws, union representation, cost of living, and healthcare system size all contribute to substantial variation across markets.
Top-Paying States
Based on BLS OEWS data, the states reporting the highest median wages for registered nurses include California, Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington.
California leads nationally, with median RN wages often exceeding $124,000 due to mandatory nurse staffing ratios enacted under California law, strong union contracts negotiated by the California Nurses Association (CNA), and a high cost of living.
Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington also consistently rank among the top five due to similar market factors.
Before relocating for higher pay, nurses should compare the cost of living in California or the cost of living in Washington State to their current market.
Regional Patterns
The West Coast is the highest-paying region for registered nurses in the United States by a significant margin.
New England and the mid-Atlantic states are above the national median, particularly in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the New York metro area.
The South and Midwest tend to report wages closer to or below the national median, though large metropolitan areas in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia may offer wages above their respective state medians.
Rural markets in any region typically pay below metro area wages but may offer recruitment incentives including sign-on bonuses and loan repayment. Nurses considering Texas or Florida positions can benchmark real compensation against the cost of living in Texas and the cost of living in Florida.
Factors That Affect Registered Nurse Pay
Multiple distinct factors may significantly influence a registered nurse's annual compensation beyond geography and experience alone.
Nursing Specialty
Specialty-area nurses consistently earn more than general medical-surgical nurses.
According to industry data and BLS figures, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) earn a median exceeding $200,000 per year.
Intensive care unit (ICU), emergency department (ED), operating room (OR), cardiac catheterization lab, and neonatal ICU nurses typically earn above the overall RN median.
Specialty certifications from organizations such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) or the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) may support additional certification pay differentials of $2,000 to $6,000 per year.
Nurses who specialize in neonatal care can compare earnings on the NICU nurse salary page, while those drawn to labor and delivery should review the labor and delivery nurse salary.
Work Setting
According to BLS industry data, registered nurses employed in outpatient care centers, government agencies, educational services, and home health may earn below the hospital-based median.
Hospital nurses — particularly those in acute care, intensive care, and surgical settings — typically earn the highest wages in the profession.
Long-term care and nursing home RNs often earn near or below the overall median, while physician offices typically fall in the lower wage tier for RNs.
Education Level
The minimum educational requirement for registered nursing is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Many hospital employers — particularly Magnet-designated institutions — require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses and may offer higher starting wages to BSN graduates.
MSN-prepared nurses who hold specialty certifications or move into management, education, or advanced practice roles typically earn above the staff RN median.
Union Representation and Shift Differentials
Unionized nursing positions — particularly in California, New York, Massachusetts, and other states with strong healthcare unions — often provide higher base wages, step increases, and better benefits than non-union counterparts in the same market.
Shift differentials for evening, night, and weekend shifts typically add 10 to 25 percent above base hourly rates.
For nurses consistently working non-standard schedules, differentials may add $6,000 to $15,000 per year above base wages.
Registered Nurse Career Outlook
The BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow approximately 6 percent through 2032 — faster than the national average of 3 percent — with approximately 177,400 openings expected per year.
This is one of the largest annual opening volumes across all healthcare occupations tracked by BLS. The high opening rate reflects both new job creation driven by an aging population's healthcare needs and the ongoing need to replace nurses who retire or leave the profession.
Healthcare systems across the country have documented persistent nursing shortages, particularly in specialty care, rural markets, and long-term care.
The nursing workforce faces additional pressure from an aging nursing faculty cohort, which limits the capacity of nursing schools to expand enrollment.
RNs willing to work in underserved areas, specialty care units, or traveling positions are expected to find strong employment opportunities.
The expansion of telehealth nursing and care coordination roles also represents a growing employment sector for RNs beyond traditional hospital settings.
Nurses planning for long-term financial wellness should set clear retirement savings goals and explore whether a Roth IRA or traditional IRA complements their employer retirement plan.
Nurse practitioners represent the highest-earning advanced practice pathway — review the nurse practitioner salary to understand the financial return on graduate education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average registered nurse salary in 2026?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) earned a median annual wage of approximately $81,220 — about $39.05 per hour — based on the most recent OEWS data.
Wages vary substantially by state, specialty, employer type, and experience level.
California nurses report a median well above $100,000, while nurses in some Southern states may earn near the national 25th percentile.
Which nursing specialty pays the most?
Among nursing specialties, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) earn the highest median wages — exceeding $200,000 per year according to BLS data.
Among staff-level RN specialties, intensive care unit (ICU), cardiac catheterization lab, operating room (OR), and neonatal ICU nurses typically earn above the overall RN median.
The BLS does not publish separate medians for each nursing specialty within SOC 29-1141.
For specialty-specific pay data, compare the NICU nurse salary, the labor and delivery nurse salary, and the pediatric nurse salary.
Do registered nurses need a BSN or is an ADN sufficient?
Both an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) qualify graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed as registered nurses.
However, many hospital employers — particularly Magnet-designated facilities — require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses for hiring.
BSN graduates may also have advantages for specialty certification, management roles, and APRN graduate program admission.
ADN nurses can often complete RN-to-BSN bridge programs while working.
How much do travel nurses earn compared to staff nurses?
Travel registered nurses working through contract agencies typically earn significantly higher hourly rates than permanent staff nurses — often $70 to $130 or more per hour depending on specialty and market, plus tax-free housing and meal stipends.
However, travel positions generally do not include employer-paid health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plan contributions.
Comparing total compensation requires accounting for all benefits and individual tax circumstances.
Is registered nursing a growing career?
Yes.
The BLS projects approximately 6 percent employment growth for registered nurses through 2032, with about 177,400 openings expected annually — one of the largest job opening volumes of any healthcare occupation.
An aging U.S. population, ongoing nursing shortages, and expansion of outpatient and telehealth care are primary growth drivers.
Nurses with specialty certifications and advanced practice credentials are expected to be in particularly strong demand.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
- U.S. Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime and Nursing Provisions — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
Last updated: April 27, 2026