SOC 29-1141 · May 2025 · United States
Registered Nurses
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Registered Nurses across the United States is $97,550 per year, measured over 3,379,720 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $140,270.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Registered Nurses
Pay for this occupation varies by 82.0% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $140,270 and Alabama pays $77,080.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $140,270 | 338,940 | |
| 2 | Hawaii | $136,320 | 12,940 | |
| 3 | Oregon | $129,010 | 39,730 | |
| 4 | Washington | $124,200 | 69,260 | |
| 5 | Alaska | $109,480 | 7,510 | |
| 6 | New York | $109,440 | 205,810 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | $106,500 | 92,680 | |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $104,550 | 88,200 | |
| 9 | Nevada | $103,670 | 27,070 | |
| 10 | Connecticut | $102,740 | 40,110 |
States with the most Registered Nurses jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 338,940 | $140,270 | |
| 2 | Texas | 271,380 | $95,970 | |
| 3 | Florida | 229,940 | $84,190 | |
| 4 | New York | 205,810 | $109,440 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 146,520 | $96,430 | |
| 6 | Ohio | 143,730 | $82,510 | |
| 7 | Illinois | 138,910 | $95,990 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 111,120 | $84,350 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 104,950 | $94,300 | |
| 10 | Georgia | 100,950 | $93,550 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $216,740 | 22,930 |
| 2 | Vallejo | $203,290 | 4,120 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $186,610 | 41,750 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $174,550 | 3,720 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $171,460 | 23,590 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $170,960 | 1,750 |
| 7 | Yuba City | $149,320 | 1,080 |
| 8 | Kahului | $144,350 | 1,270 |
| 9 | San Diego | $139,520 | 28,680 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $139,260 | 9,680 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.