Registered Nurse Salary
Registered Nurse - View salary data across all locations
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurse Salaries
What is the average registered nurse salary in the United States?
The average registered nurse salary across U.S. metropolitan areas is approximately $94,319 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by location, with some areas paying up to $130,316.
Where do registered nurses earn the most money?
San Jose, CA offers the highest average salary for registered nurses at $130,316 per year. Other high-paying areas can be found on our top paying cities for registered nurses page.
How can I increase my salary as a registered nurse?
To increase your earning potential as a registered nurse, consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, relocating to higher-paying metropolitan areas, negotiating salary during job transitions, and continuously developing your skills. Experience and demonstrated results also significantly impact earning potential.
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses?
The average hourly rate for registered nurses is approximately $45.35 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). Hourly rates range from $37.08 to $62.65 depending on location.