What Is the Starting Salary for New Nurses?
The median salary in your first year of licensure is about $63,000, per the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey, and it climbs steadily with experience to roughly $93,000 after 11 or more years. Nationally, BLS puts the median RN wage at $93,600 across all experience levels (May 2024). Expect your first year or two to be about learning the workplace and its systems, caring for patients, working on interprofessional teams, and charting.
The table below shows median nationwide salaries by years licensed from the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey. Your actual pay depends on where you work (location and setting), your degree level (associate or bachelor's), your residency experience, and your specialty.
Median Annual Salary by Number of Years Licensed as an RN
| Number of Years Licensed as an RN | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 0-1 Year | $60,000 |
| 2-5 Years | $68,000 |
| 6-10 Years | $75,000 |
| 11 Years or More | $82,000 |
Source: 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey
The Highest-Paying States for New Nurses
These states pay new graduates the most, and each combines high demand with a high cost of living.
1. California, $104,000
California pays high largely because of a nursing shortage estimated at 36,000 RNs, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong unionization and a high cost of living keep wages competitive, and the state mandates RN-to-patient ratios. It also offers beaches, mountains, deserts, and major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
2. Hawaii, $100,000
Hawaii is among the most expensive states to live in. Because of its location, nearly every necessity costs more than it does on the mainland. Even adjusted for cost of living, Hawaii nursing salaries rank high. The two major metro areas are Honolulu and Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, both offering entertainment, culture, and the outdoor recreation the islands are known for.
3. Oregon, $91,500
Oregon faces a shortage tied to bottlenecks in nursing education, and new graduates help meet demand as the state works to clear them. Even adjusted for the high cost of living, Oregon RN salaries average above $90,000, and the state's outdoor attractions are a draw.
4. District of Columbia, $90,000
Despite not being a state, Washington, D.C. ranks among the highest-paying areas for nurses. It is home to some of the best hospitals and health systems in the country, with openings across many settings, plus historic sites and museums.
5. New York, $90,000
New York City has some of the most prestigious hospitals and health systems in the world. Rent and housing are expensive, though many rely on public transit to cut costs. RN salaries are high to match the cost of living, and the rest of the state offers plenty of culture and entertainment beyond the city.
New Nurse Graduate Salaries by State
The table below lists median earnings two years after graduation for all 50 states, compiled from College Scorecard and based on the highest level of education attained. California tops the list at $80,734, and Alabama logs the lowest at $53,178.
Median Earnings of New Nurse Graduates
| State | Median Earnings 2 Years After Graduation |
|---|---|
| California | $80,734 |
| Oregon | $71,982 |
| New Jersey | $71,387 |
| Nevada | $70,799 |
| District of Columbia | $70,578 |
| Connecticut | $70,527 |
| New York | $70,400 |
| Alaska | $70,300 |
| Delaware | $68,773 |
| Rhode Island | $67,695 |
| Massachusetts | $67,193 |
| Hawaii | $66,927 |
| Washington | $66,050 |
| New Mexico | $65,587 |
| Arizona | $64,502 |
| New Hampshire | $63,787 |
| Maryland | $63,496 |
| Texas | $63,164 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,789 |
| Minnesota | $61,754 |
| Montana | $61,550 |
| Idaho | $61,289 |
| Vermont | $61,072 |
| North Dakota | $60,419 |
| Louisiana | $60,286 |
| Illinois | $59,472 |
| Nebraska | $59,123 |
| Georgia | $59,053 |
| Colorado | $58,849 |
| Michigan | $58,515 |
| Wisconsin | $58,324 |
| Oklahoma | $58,198 |
| Virginia | $58,154 |
| South Carolina | $57,496 |
| West Virginia | $57,058 |
| Indiana | $56,961 |
| Florida | $56,593 |
| Wyoming | $56,580 |
| Utah | $56,353 |
| Arkansas | $56,350 |
| Maine | $56,243 |
| South Dakota | $56,078 |
| North Carolina | $55,797 |
| Ohio | $55,649 |
| Missouri | $55,529 |
| Kentucky | $55,422 |
| Iowa | $54,483 |
| Tennessee | $54,462 |
| Kansas | $53,652 |
| Mississippi | $53,548 |
| Alabama | $53,178 |
Source: College Scorecard Data by Field of Study, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average starting salary for a new nurse?
About $63,000 in the first year of licensure, per the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey. Pay climbs with experience to roughly $93,000 after 11 or more years.
Which state pays new nurses the most?
California leads, with new graduates earning around $104,000 and a statewide median of $120,000 for RNs overall (2024 survey). Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and New York round out the top five for new graduates.
Why do high-paying states also have a high cost of living?
The same forces drive both. Strong demand, unionization, and expensive housing push wages up, but they also raise day-to-day costs. A six-figure California salary stretches less than a smaller salary in a lower-cost state, so weigh take-home pay against rent, taxes, and commuting.
Does a BSN pay more than an ADN for new nurses?
Often, yes. The 2024 survey reported BSN-educated RNs earning a median of $85,000 versus $80,000 for ADN-educated nurses. Many employers also require or strongly prefer a BSN, which widens the job pool.
How much does nurse pay grow with experience?
A lot. The 2024 survey found nurses with more than 10 years of experience earned up to $30,000 more per year than those with one year or less, climbing from about $63,000 to roughly $93,000.
Is the national median the same as the starting salary?
No. The BLS national median of $93,600 (May 2024) covers RNs at all experience levels, so it sits well above a new graduate's first-year pay. Use the starting-salary figures to set expectations for year one.