Registered Nurse Salary in 2026
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide emotional support. They work in hospitals, clinics, and various healthcare settings.
Median Salary
$97,550
$8,129/mo
Entry Level
$64,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$126,200
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) at a national median of $97,550 per year (mean $101,420), or $46.90 per hour, with 3,379,720 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Registered Nurse Overview
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide emotional support. They work in hospitals, clinics, and various healthcare settings.
Education
Bachelor's Degree (BSN)
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
3.4M
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$46.90/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,129
Local evidence pages
High-intent Registered Nurse salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Registered Nurse Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Registered Nurse salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Registered Nurse Salary
$105,000
$8,750/month · $4,038/biweekly · $50.48/hr
Registered Nurse Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Registered Nurse field.
Entry-level Registered Nurses earn around $64,300, while the top 10% earn $135,400 or more.
Top Paying States for Registered Nurses
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $115,000 | +$17,450 |
| New York | $112,000 | +$14,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,000 | +$450 |
| Texas | $96,000 | $-1,550 |
| Florida | $96,000 | $-1,550 |
Top Paying Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $135,560 | +$38,010 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $119,720 | +$22,170 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $101,180 | +$3,630 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $99,830 | +$2,280 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $91,380 | $-6,170 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Registered Nurses in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Registered Nurse Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Registered Nurse from entry level to expert.
$64,300
0-2 years
$95,000
3-7 years
$126,200
8-14 years
$144,600
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ
How much does a Registered Nurse make in 2026?
The median salary for a Registered Nurse in the United States is $97,550 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141); the mean is $101,420. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $64,300, senior professionals around $126,200, and top earners at $144,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Registered Nurse?
A Registered Nurse typically requires a Bachelor's Degree (BSN) with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Patient Care, IV Therapy, EHR Systems. Relevant certifications such as NCLEX-RN or BLS Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?
The job market for Registered Nurses is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 3.4M Registered Nurse positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Registered Nurses the most?
The highest-paying states for Registered Nurses include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $115,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary?
To increase your Registered Nurse salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Patient Care and IV Therapy. Pursue certifications such as NCLEX-RN. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $64,300 to $126,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Registered Nurse Salary
How we calculate Registered Nurse salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $97,550, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Registered Nurses; BLS mean $101,420; BLS hourly median $46.90.
- Entry-level ($64,300) and senior-level ($126,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 3,379,720 Registered Nurses jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree (BSN), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $97,550; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Registered Nurse compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurse job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Registered Nurse salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Patient Care, IV Therapy, EHR Systems), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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