Key Takeaways
- The national mean RN salary is about $98,430 a year, but pay swings widely by state and even by metro area.
- California pays RNs the most, roughly $125,630 a year, followed by Hawaii and Oregon.
- Comparing state pay against cost of living tells you far more than the raw number, so weigh both before you relocate or negotiate.
What RNs Earn Now
Based on BLS data from May 2024:
- The mean annual RN salary is about $98,430, with a median of $93,600.
- The lowest 10 percent of RNs earned under $66,030; the top 10 percent earned more than $135,320.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) earn a mean of about $128,490 a year, with a median of $129,210.
Source: BLS, May 2024
Salaries Vary by State
RN pay varies sharply from state to state, and you will see differences between metro areas, and even between facilities in the same city.
The highest-paying states for RNs are:
- California (about $125,630)
- Hawaii (about $106,530)
- Oregon (about $98,630)
A high headline number does not always mean more buying power. California pays the most, but it also carries one of the highest costs of living in the country. The cost-of-living index measures what you need to spend to reach a given standard of living, where 100 equals the national average. Once you adjust for it, a lower-paying state with cheaper housing can leave you further ahead. Oregon, for example, ranks at or near the top for RN pay after adjusting for cost of living.
What to Weigh Before You Relocate
No one can predict where salaries are heading, but pay trends are worth watching. Regional nursing shortages, employer competition, and shifting demographics (such as an aging population in states that draw retirees) all push wages around.
If you are considering a move, look past the salary line. Check the area's cost of living, job openings, and economic outlook. Factor in school quality if you have kids, access to nature, air and water quality, sprawl, growth, and crime. A higher salary will not improve your life if you do not want to live there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average RN salary in the United States? The mean annual RN wage is about $98,430 and the median is $93,600, according to BLS data from May 2024.
Which state pays registered nurses the most? California, at roughly $125,630 a year, followed by Hawaii and Oregon.
Does a high salary always mean more money in my pocket? No. California pays the most but carries one of the highest costs of living. After adjusting for cost of living, a lower-paying state with cheaper housing can leave you further ahead.
How much do the lowest- and highest-paid RNs earn? The lowest 10 percent earned under $66,030 and the top 10 percent earned more than $135,320 (BLS, May 2024).
Do nurse practitioners earn more than staff RNs? Yes. NPs earn a median of about $129,210, well above the $93,600 RN median (BLS, May 2024).
What should I weigh besides pay before relocating? Cost of living, local job openings, the area's economic outlook, school quality, and quality-of-life factors. A higher salary will not improve your life if you do not want to live there.