Registered Nurse Salary: $94,319 Average (2026)
2026 DataCompare registered nurse salaries across 50 US cities. Pay ranges from $77,136 to $130,316.
Highest Paying Cities for Registered Nurses
Average Salary
$94,319
across all locations
Highest Paying
$130,316
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Registered Nurses
See which cities pay Registered Nurses the most, from $130,316 down to the #10 spot.
Registered Nurse Salary Comparison by Metro
Top 10 highest paying metro areas compared to national average ($93,600)
| Rank | Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | San Jose, CA | $130,316 |
| #2 | San Francisco, CA | $127,084 |
| #3 | Seattle, WA | $112,456 |
| #4 | New York, NY | $110,570 |
| #5 | Boston, MA | $109,058 |
| #6 | Washington, DC | $107,460 |
| #7 | San Diego, CA | $103,978 |
| #8 | Los Angeles, CA | $103,767 |
| #9 | Denver, CO | $102,533 |
| #10 | Portland, OR | $99,648 |
COL Adjusted = Salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher values indicate better purchasing power.
Registered Nurse Salary by Experience Level
Average salary ranges across all 50 metro areas based on experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $61,474 | $29.55/hr |
Mid-Career 50th (Median) | $94,319 | $45.34/hr |
Senior / Experienced 90th Percentile | $136,629 | $65.69/hr |
Entry to Mid Growth
+$32,845
+53%
Mid to Senior Growth
+$42,310
+45%
Total Career Growth
+$75,155
+122%
Registered Nurse Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $130,316 | $62.65 | 3,650 |
| San Francisco, CA | $127,084 | $61.10 | 3,810 |
| Seattle, WA | $112,456 | $54.07 | 3,139 |
| New York, NY | $110,570 | $53.16 | 6,421 |
| Boston, MA | $109,058 | $52.43 | 4,154 |
| Washington, DC | $107,460 | $51.66 | 3,875 |
| San Diego, CA | $103,978 | $49.99 | 3,001 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $103,767 | $49.89 | 4,486 |
| Denver, CO | $102,533 | $49.29 | 2,681 |
| Portland, OR | $99,648 | $47.91 | 2,863 |
| Austin, TX | $99,566 | $47.87 | 2,609 |
| Sacramento, CA | $99,345 | $47.76 | 2,763 |
| Hartford, CT | $98,636 | $47.42 | 2,700 |
| Chicago, IL | $98,374 | $47.30 | 3,790 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $97,178 | $46.72 | 2,464 |
| Baltimore, MD | $96,855 | $46.56 | 2,431 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $95,749 | $46.03 | 3,170 |
| Dallas, TX | $93,692 | $45.04 | 3,336 |
| Houston, TX | $93,334 | $44.87 | 3,056 |
| Miami, FL | $93,159 | $44.79 | 2,785 |
| Riverside, CA | $93,042 | $44.73 | 2,668 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $92,627 | $44.53 | 2,855 |
| Detroit, MI | $92,314 | $44.38 | 2,908 |
| Providence, RI | $92,283 | $44.37 | 2,407 |
| Raleigh, NC | $92,009 | $44.24 | 2,445 |
| Tampa, FL | $91,966 | $44.21 | 2,995 |
| Nashville, TN | $91,550 | $44.01 | 3,055 |
| Charlotte, NC | $90,898 | $43.70 | 2,726 |
| Atlanta, GA | $90,812 | $43.66 | 3,322 |
| Richmond, VA | $90,480 | $43.50 | 3,153 |
| Columbus, OH | $89,400 | $42.98 | 3,105 |
| Cleveland, OH | $89,395 | $42.98 | 3,113 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $89,297 | $42.93 | 2,515 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $89,167 | $42.87 | 2,573 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $89,114 | $42.84 | 2,645 |
| Orlando, FL | $89,003 | $42.79 | 2,728 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $87,702 | $42.16 | 2,557 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $87,488 | $42.06 | 2,637 |
| San Antonio, TX | $86,519 | $41.60 | 2,791 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $86,402 | $41.54 | 2,467 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $86,225 | $41.45 | 2,891 |
| St. Louis, MO | $86,187 | $41.44 | 3,005 |
| Louisville, KY | $85,974 | $41.33 | 2,797 |
| Kansas City, MO | $85,692 | $41.20 | 2,411 |
| New Orleans, LA | $85,594 | $41.15 | 2,577 |
| Tucson, AZ | $85,163 | $40.94 | 2,822 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $84,764 | $40.75 | 3,012 |
| Memphis, TN | $83,813 | $40.29 | 2,917 |
| Birmingham, AL | $81,152 | $39.02 | 2,700 |
| El Paso, TX | $77,136 | $37.08 | 3,084 |
About Registered Nurse Careers
Registered nurses (RNs) are essential healthcare professionals who provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. They work in various healthcare settings and serve as the backbone of the healthcare system, providing critical care and advocacy for patients.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average registered nurse salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $94,319 per year. Salaries range from $77,136 in El Paso, TX to $130,316 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 151,065 professionals employed as registered nurses across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Registered Nurse Do?
Registered Nurses perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Assess patients' health conditions and record medical histories
- Administer medications, treatments, and patient care
- Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals
- Educate patients and families about health conditions and care plans
- Monitor patients' vital signs and report changes in condition
- Coordinate care and patient transitions between healthcare settings
- Maintain accurate patient records and documentation
Education Requirements
Becoming a registered nurse requires completing an accredited nursing program. Options include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. All states require RNs to be licensed, which involves passing the NCLEX-RN examination.
Key Skills for Registered Nurses
Factors That Affect Registered Nurse Salary
Several factors influence how much a registered nurse earns:
Career Path & Advancement
RNs can advance their careers by pursuing specialized certifications, advanced degrees, or leadership positions. Career paths include becoming a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse administrator. Many nurses also transition to roles in education, research, or healthcare consulting.
Job Outlook
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow significantly faster than average due to an aging population, increasing chronic conditions, and greater emphasis on preventive care. Nurses with advanced degrees and specialized certifications will have the best job prospects and earning potential.
Work Environment
Registered nurses work in hospitals, physician offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, and other healthcare settings. The work can be physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and lifting patients. Nurses often work nights, weekends, and holidays, though schedules vary by setting and specialty.
Career Prospects for Registered Nurses
The job market for registered nurses continues to evolve with changing economic conditions and technological advancements. Professionals entering this field should be prepared for a dynamic career landscape that rewards adaptability and continuous skill development.
With approximately 151,065 registered nurses employed across the metropolitan areas we track, the profession offers substantial employment opportunities. Industry projections suggest steady demand driven by factors including technological innovation, demographic shifts, and evolving business needs.
Professionals who invest in specialized certifications, stay current with industry trends, and develop complementary skills in emerging technologies tend to command higher salaries and have better job security. Networking and maintaining strong professional relationships also play crucial roles in career advancement within this field.
Geographic Salary Variations for Registered Nurses
Salary for registered nurses varies significantly by geographic location. The highest-paying metropolitan area, San Jose, CA, offers a median salary of $130,316, while the lowest in our data, El Paso, TX, pays approximately $77,136. This represents a salary difference of $53,180 (69% higher).
Cost of living is a critical factor when evaluating salaries across locations. Higher-paying metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle typically have significantly higher housing costs, taxes, and general expenses. When considering relocation, calculate your potential take-home pay after accounting for local cost of living differences.
Regional demand also affects compensation. Areas with strong industries that heavily employ registered nurses often pay premium salaries to attract and retain talent. Conversely, regions with surplus labor or fewer industry concentrations may offer lower compensation. Remote work opportunities have begun to change these dynamics, allowing some professionals to earn higher salaries while living in lower-cost areas.
Advancement Opportunities for Registered Nurses
Career advancement for registered nurses typically follows several paths. Technical advancement involves deepening expertise and specializing in high-demand niches, while management tracks offer opportunities to lead teams and oversee larger projects. Both paths can lead to significant salary increases over time.
Entry-level registered nurses can expect to progress from starting salaries around $49,900to the median salary of $94,319 within 3-5 years with solid performance and skill development. Top performers who reach senior levels can earn $189,565 or more, representing the top 10% of earners in this profession.
Professional development investments that typically yield the highest returns include industry certifications, advanced degrees, leadership training, and expertise in emerging technologies or methodologies. Professionals who consistently deliver results and build strong professional networks tend to advance more quickly and negotiate better compensation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurse Salaries
The average registered nurse salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $94,319 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $77,136 in El Paso, TX to $130,316 in San Jose, CA.
The average hourly rate for registered nurses is $45.35 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $37.08/hour in lower-paying areas to $62.65/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.
San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for registered nurses, with a median salary of $130,316 per year. This is 38% above the national average of $94,319. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.
Entry-level registered nurses (10th percentile) typically earn around $61,474 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $94,319 within 3-5 years of career growth.
The average registered nurse salary of $94,319 is 59% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $136,629 or more annually.
El Paso, TX has the lowest registered nurse salary at $77,136 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $53,180.
There are approximately 151,065 registered nurses employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a large and diverse job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.
The biggest factors affecting registered nurse salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $53,180 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Nursing specialty (ICU, emergency, oncology tend to pay more), Education level (BSN vs. ADN). Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.
In-demand skills that boost registered nurse salaries include: Clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Compassion and emotional resilience, Attention to detail and organizational skills, Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments. Nursing specialty (ICU, emergency, oncology tend to pay more) Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($116,135).
Registered Nurse salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $94,319 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.
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Data Freshness & Source
Current DataLast Updated
March 2027
Data Source
BLS 2026 OEWS
Next Update Expected
March 2027
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. This is the most comprehensive source of occupation-specific wage data in the United States.
About Our Salary Data
This salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2026 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The BLS collects wage data from employers each May and publishes results the following spring. Our data reflects the most recent official government statistics available. The next BLS data release is expected in March 2027.
Registered Nurse Salary by State
Compare registered nurse salaries across 31 states. Click a state for detailed city-by-city salary data.