If you're considering nursing, you might have some questions like, What is the salary of a nurse? Or, perhaps you're a seasoned nursing professional wondering if additional education will lead to a higher income. If so, you'll need to gather and review the current facts, figures, and average nurse salary rates to help answer these questions.
While compensation isn't the sole determining factor in choosing the challenging yet rewarding profession of nursing, it is significant. We've created a reliable and comprehensive salary guide to help you make informed decisions as you advance or embark on a successful nursing career.
Here, you'll find answers to relevant frequently asked questions: How much do nurses make a year? How can education impact your salary? What is the highest-paid nursing job? We'll answer these questions and more.
RN Salary: How Much Does a Nurse Make?
According to the most recent data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average RN salary is $98,430 per year, or $47.32 per hour. But a registered nurse salary by state can vary greatly depending on where in the country you work, as you'll see in our breakdown in the table below. In fact, your geographical location isn't the only thing that can affect your paycheck. There are a handful of other factors that can impact your salary in nursing, including:
- Years of experience
- Level of education
- Amount of responsibility
- Nursing specialty
- Type of facility
RN Salary by State
We've compiled a list of the annual average RN salary and hourly rates by state. We've also included links to current jobs so you can research the nurse salary and demand for RN jobs for your state(s) in greater detail. *Note: Due to BLS's concerns regarding Colorado's data quality, the pay shown for that state is from the previous BLS data update.
| State | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary | RN Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,970 | $36.04 | RN jobs in Alabama |
| Alaska | $112,040 | $53.86 | RN jobs in Alaska |
| Arizona | $95,230 | $45.79 | RN jobs in Arizona |
| Arkansas | $77,720 | $37.36 | RN jobs in Arkansas |
| California | $148,330 | $71.31 | RN jobs in California |
| Colorado | $91,730 | $44.10 | RN jobs in Colorado |
| Connecticut | $103,670 | $49.84 | RN jobs in Connecticut |
| Delaware | $95,450 | $45.89 | RN jobs in Delaware |
| Florida | $88,200 | $42.40 | RN jobs in Florida |
| Georgia | $91,960 | $44.21 | RN jobs in Georgia |
| Hawaii | $123,720 | $59.48 | RN jobs in Hawaii |
| Idaho | $89,770 | $43.16 | RN jobs in Idaho |
| Illinois | $91,130 | $43.81 | RN jobs in Illinois |
| Indiana | $85,850 | $41.27 | RN jobs in Indiana |
| Iowa | $77,780 | $37.39 | RN jobs in Iowa |
| Kansas | $79,430 | $38.19 | RN jobs in Kansas |
| Kentucky | $83,900 | $40.34 | RN jobs in Kentucky |
| Louisiana | $84,110 | $40.44 | RN jobs in Louisiana |
| Maine | $87,440 | $42.04 | RN jobs in Maine |
| Maryland | $96,650 | $46.46 | RN jobs in Maryland |
| Massachusetts | $112,610 | $54.14 | RN jobs in Massachusetts |
| Michigan | $90,580 | $43.55 | RN jobs in Michigan |
| Minnesota | $99,460 | $47.82 | RN jobs in Minnesota |
| Mississippi | $79,470 | $38.21 | RN jobs in Mississippi |
| Missouri | $81,950 | $39.40 | RN jobs in Missouri |
| Montana | $88,480 | $42.54 | RN jobs in Montana |
| Nebraska | $82,890 | $39.85 | RN jobs in Nebraska |
| Nevada | $102,280 | $49.17 | RN jobs in Nevada |
| New Hampshire | $94,620 | $45.49 | RN jobs in New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | $106,990 | $51.44 | RN jobs in New Jersey |
| New Mexico | $94,360 | $45.37 | RN jobs in New Mexico |
| New York | $110,490 | $53.12 | RN jobs in New York |
| North Carolina | $86,270 | $41.48 | RN jobs in North Carolina |
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $39.38 | RN jobs in North Dakota |
| Ohio | $86,110 | $41.40 | RN jobs in Ohio |
| Oklahoma | $85,800 | $41.25 | RN jobs in Oklahoma |
| Oregon | $120,470 | $57.92 | RN jobs in Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | $90,830 | $43.67 | RN jobs in Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | $99,770 | $47.96 | RN jobs in Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | $84,930 | $40.83 | RN jobs in South Carolina |
| South Dakota | $72,210 | $34.72 | RN jobs in South Dakota |
| Tennessee | $82,010 | $39.43 | RN jobs in Tennessee |
| Texas | $91,690 | $44.08 | RN jobs in Texas |
| Utah | $88,240 | $42.42 | RN jobs in Utah |
| Vermont | $92,710 | $44.57 | RN jobs in Vermont |
| Virginia | $90,930 | $43.72 | RN jobs in Virginia |
| Washington | $115,740 | $55.64 | RN jobs in Washington |
| West Virginia | $80,650 | $38.77 | RN jobs in West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | $90,450 | $43.48 | RN jobs in Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | $88,020 | $42.32 | RN jobs in Wyoming |
| Washington D.C. | $109,240 | $52.52 | RN jobs in Washington D.C. |
| Puerto Rico | $41,470 | $19.94 | RN jobs in Puerto Rico |
Best-Paying States for Nurses 2025–2026
If you're an RN, you'll likely be wondering, Where do nurses make the most money? The best-paying states for nurses can vary from year to year. If you're not opposed to moving, you might want to consider getting a compact nursing license and exploring jobs in higher-paying locations. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the highest-paying states for RNs:
- California
- Hawaii
- Oregon
- Washington
- Massachusetts
How Your Degree Can Impact Your Nurse Salary
Your education level significantly impacts your nursing salary — from being in a non-degree CNA program to a two-year nursing degree to attaining a terminal degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing. (For comparison, check out the LPN salary numbers.)
As you advance your education, you gain specialized knowledge and skills, allowing you to take on higher-level roles and responsibilities — and this helps strengthen your RN resume. For example, a nurse with an associate degree (ADN) earns less on average than a nurse with a bachelor's degree. A higher-level degree will often increase your salary and improve your marketability and competitive advantage, especially in clinical practice or executive leadership. Check out the nurse practitioner salary numbers.
| Role | Education | Mean Hourly Rate | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA/STNA | 4–12 week program | $19.84 | $41,270 |
| LPN/LVN | 1-year training program | $30.84 | $64,150 |
| RN (ADN) and RN (BSN) | 2-year associate degree or 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing | $47.32 | $98,430 |
| MSN/DNP (Clinical)– Certified Nurse Midwife– CRNA– NP | MSN: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 2 to 4 years of graduate schoolDNP: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 1 to 3 years of graduate school | $63.46 (NP) | $132,000 (NP) |
| PhD Researcher | PhD: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 3 to 6 years of graduate school | $47.60 | $99,000 (average) |
| DNP/PhD Education: | DNP: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 1 to 3 years of graduate schoolPhD: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 3 to 6 years of graduate school | $50.00 | $103,000 |
| Nursing Professor | PhD: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 3 to 6 years of graduate schoolPhD: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 3 to 6 years of graduate school | $87,090 | |
| DNP Leadership:Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) | DNP: 4-year bachelor’s degree in nursing + 1 to 3 years of graduate school | N/A | >$250,000 |
Average Nurse Salary: FAQ
Do different work environments pay RNs different salaries?
Typically, yes. In addition to your geographical location, education, and experience, a nursing salary can be impacted by the kind of facility that employs RNs. For example, nursing jobs in hospitals tend to pay more than in skilled nursing facilities. Here's a look at the breakdown of average annual salaries in different healthcare settings:
- Outpatient care centers: $107,650
- Scientific research and development services: $103,930
- Specialty hospitals: $103,500
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $101,060
- Home health services: $89,940
- Skilled nursing facilities: $87,370
- Physicians' offices: $85,860
- Retirement communities and assisted living facilities: $81,180
What is the highest-paid nursing job?
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) holds the highest-paying nursing job with an average annual salary of $231,700. This highly specialized role is responsible for the safe administration of sedation and anesthesia to patients while monitoring their hemodynamic status during and post procedures and surgeries. If you're interested in this speciality, learn more about becoming a CRNA.
What is the salary of a nurse working from home?
After you gain bedside nursing experience, a new world of job opportunities could open up for you, including working from home as a LPN or an RN. Nurse salary will, of course, vary by the position. For example, on the lower range of income — a nurse coach, who helps clients reach their health and wellness goals, can expect to make an average salary of around $77,000 per year. Whereas a nurse navigator, who serves as a patient advocate and guides them through our complex healthcare system, can make an average annual salary of around $102,000. Explore some of the salaries in the latest listings for remote RN jobs.
How can I enhance my RN salary?
If you're wondering about the base average RN salary, you'll likely be interested in how to optimize your RN pay or generate extra income. This information can become especially handy for financial planning. Maybe you're looking to save for your next vacation, build a nest egg for school or retirement, or achieve a personal goal that requires extra money. Here are some of the many ways to boost your average nursing salary:
- Negotiate your starting salary or raise: Understanding your worth in the current job market helps you to strategically finesse a job offer or pay increases. It can help to research income reports for your area to know the typical salary range for your role. The more you know, the more empowered you are, and the more confident you'll be in advocating for yourself.
- Optimize your schedule: This is a practical option if you want to make more money without working extra hours. Many employers offer shift differentials for non-standard work hours where you'll get an additional hourly rate on top of your base pay. Typical shift differentials include evening, night shift, weekend, and holiday hours.
- Become certified: Several employers, including academic teaching hospitals and magnet facilities, offer increased rates or bonus for their nurses that obtain specialty RN certifications. This would be a great question to ask during your nurse interview.
- Pick up extra shifts: Consider working an extra shift a few times per month via your current job or as a gig worker through per diem shifts. Even if it's just one shift here or there, it will increase your overall income without significantly impacting your schedule.
- Move locations: Consider changing employers or relocating to a new area with high nurse demand. You could perform the same job and duties, but a change in employment or relocating to an area with higher demand can substantially bump your average nursing salary.
Ready to Boost Your Nurse Salary?
Now that we've answered the question, How much do nurses make?, you can explore different job postings and make an informed decision about the next step in your career. Curious to see what's out there? Check out the RN jobs that are available right now to find one that fits your needs.