How Much Do Registered Nurses Make? Salary by State (2026)

Registered nurses (RNs) are among the most in-demand healthcare professionals in the United States, and their salaries reflect that demand. Whether you’re a nursing student, a new graduate, or an experienced RN considering relocation, understanding the salary landscape is crucial for career planning. This guide breaks down RN earnings using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, compares pay across all 50 states, and puts those numbers in context with actual licensing costs.

National Salary Overview

The national median annual wage for registered nurses is $0. The middle 50% earn between $0 and $0, reflecting the wide range driven by specialization, experience, education level, and geographic location. Nursing remains one of the most financially rewarding careers accessible with a two-year or four-year degree.

Registered Nurse Salary by State

RN pay varies dramatically by state — the highest-paying states offer significantly more than the lowest. The table below shows every state with available BLS data, sorted from highest to lowest median pay.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Registered Nurses

These states offer the highest median annual wages for RNs:

Keep in mind that many of the highest-paying states also have the highest cost of living. A $120,000 salary in California may offer less purchasing power than $80,000 in a lower-cost state. Consider the full financial picture when evaluating relocation.

Licensing Cost vs. Earning Potential

Based on our verified licensing database, the average total initial cost to get an RN license is approximately $374 across the 51 states we track. This covers application fees, NCLEX examination fees, and other state-specific requirements.

With a national median salary of $0, the licensing investment is a tiny fraction of first-year earnings.The larger investment is the nursing education itself (ADN or BSN programs), but even those costs are quickly offset by RN salaries, making nursing one of the strongest ROI career paths in healthcare.

See our RN license cost breakdown for exact fees in every state.

Factors That Affect RN Pay

Specialization

Nursing specializations have a significant impact on pay. Critical care nurses (ICU), operating room nurses, emergency department nurses, and labor and delivery nurses often earn more than medical-surgical floor nurses. Certification in a specialty (CCRN, CEN, etc.) can further boost earning potential.

Education Level

While both ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) and BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) graduates can sit for the NCLEX-RN, BSN-prepared nurses often have access to higher-paying positions and are increasingly preferred by hospitals seeking Magnet designation. MSN and DNP degrees open paths to nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and leadership roles with substantially higher pay.

Location

As the state-by-state data shows, where you practice makes an enormous difference. States facing acute nursing shortages may offer higher wages, sign-on bonuses, and other incentives to attract RNs.

Work Setting

Hospital nurses generally earn more than those in outpatient clinics, physician offices, or home health settings. Government facilities (VA hospitals, state hospitals) and teaching hospitals tend to offer competitive wages with strong benefits. Travel nursing can dramatically increase short-term earnings.

Shift Differentials and Overtime

Night shift, weekend, and holiday differentials can add 10-20% to base pay. Overtime opportunities — which are common given the ongoing nursing shortage — can significantly boost annual earnings beyond the base salary figures shown in BLS data.

Experience

New graduate RNs start at the lower end of the pay scale and typically see meaningful salary increases in their first 3-5 years. Experienced RNs with 10+ years and specialty certifications command the highest wages in bedside clinical roles.

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Related guides: RN Rankings by State

Salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Licensing cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Factors affecting pay are general guidance. For the most current figures, visit bls.gov.