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How much do registered nurses make? [Updated September 2025]
The average annual wage of a registered nurse (RN) in the United States is $98,430—up almost $4,000 from the previous year’s data—and the average hourly wage is $47.32.
However, there are numerous factors affecting the average registered nurse salary, including state and city, work setting, education, experience, and more.
This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of registered nurse income.
This RN salary guide answers the most common questions nurses ask, such as
- What is the average nurse salary in the United States?
- How much does a registered nurse make per year and hour in each state?
- Which states pay RNs the highest hourly and annual wages?
- How much do registered nurses make an hour in the highest-paying states and cities?
- How much money does a nurse make in the highest-paying industries for RNs?
Also, discover how different aspects impact an RN’s earning potential, bumping income up or down the salary range.
Salary data regarding states, metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas, and industries comes from the latest available data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and only represents averages for employed RNs.
Average RN salary state by state in 2025
You are here for registered nursing salaries, so without further ado, here is how much registered nurses make an hour and per year in each state:
Source: Table created based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
How much do travel nurses make?
Travel nurse salary is impacted by location, and the above table can provide a baseline for comparison. However, keep in mind that travel nurse contracts often have financial add-ons such as stipends for travel and living expenses. Furthermore, travel nurses are often called upon to cover vacancies in specialized nursing fields, which may impact RN salary as well.
In short, travel nurse salary rates can exceed standard RN pay per hour, but they vary significantly depending on location and contract terms.
How do RN salaries compare against cost of living expenses?
Looking at the average nurse salary in the U.S. alone doesn’t tell the whole story. By adjusting for cost of living, we can better compare nurse pay per hour across states.
Cost of living (COL) varies a lot by state, so “highest-paying” lists often don’t provide the full picture.
The table below adjusts each state’s RN average annual wage for local cost of living using the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities (RPP).
What does that mean?
Basically, a lower RPP value—less than 100—means lower prices, so wages in those states have more purchasing power.
Alternatively, a higher RPP value means—more than 100—higher prices, so the wages have less purchasing power.
The COL-adjusted pay is calculated by taking the BLS average wage and dividing it by the RPP.
This adjustment helps compare nurse pay in affordable states versus high-cost states, giving a truer picture of RN salary trends in 2025.
Method notes: Calculations use full-precision 2023 Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Parities Pricing; displayed to one decimal. RPP values are the latest available from the BEA and cover all consumption goods and services, including housing rents by state.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in 2025?
Next up, discover the average RN hourly and annual salary in the highest-paying states and cities in the United States for 2025.
Which states pay RNs the highest salaries?
Keep your fingers crossed! You might find your state in the following list of the top 10 best-paying states for RNs in the US:
Source: Table created based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
These top states highlight where RN salaries are strongest, but keep in mind that experience, education, and specialty fields also impact earning potential.
After cost-of-living adjustments: Who really pays RNs best?
After cost-of-living adjustments, these states offer the strongest purchasing power for RNs. Notice the differences in this list from the table directly above
Top 10 (best COL-adjusted annual pay):
Which states pay RNs the lowest salaries?
This isn’t the kind of list you want to see your home state on, but it is important information nonetheless. Why?
It’s good for perspective, of course, but more importantly, it’s a good reminder that the cost of living has a significant impact on how far you can stretch your salary.
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Source: Table created based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
After cost-of-living adjustments: Who really pays RNs the lowest?
After cost-of-living adjustments, these states offer the weakest purchasing power for RNs. Notice any differences from the table above?
Bottom 10 (lowest COL-adjusted annual pay):
Which cities pay RNs the most?
The highest-paying states certainly have impressive salaries, but some cities outpace even their states for RN hourly pay, especially where hospital demand is high.
Spoiler alert: They are all in California.
Source: Table created based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Which are the highest-paying RN jobs?
Industry matters too—RN salary for specialized nursing fields or in outpatient care, for example, can differ significantly from the average nurse salary.
Nationwide, most RNs work in hospitals where they earn, on average, $101,060 annually. That said, there are many other industries in which RNs receive significantly higher salaries.
The following are the top 10 highest-paying industries with the average RN pay per hour and year:
*Excluding state and local government schools and hospitals, and the U.S. Postal Service.
Source: Table created based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
What other factors increase the salary of RN jobs?
Aside from location and industry, many other factors influence RN salary.
You probably expect the level of education, certifications, and years of work experience to influence RN pay, but did you know that gender and union membership can also significantly influence RN income?
Read on to discover how all of these factors and others can influence your earnings as an RN:
How does education impact RN salary?
Let’s start with RN education. If you have not yet started nursing school, you might not realize how many options you have to become an RN.
Aspiring RNs can complete Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADNs) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Although less common, RN diploma programs are also available through some hospitals.
Additionally, RNs can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or even a doctoral degree in nursing. An MSN candidate typically must complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing before pursuing post-graduate education. However, accelerated nursing programs are also available for RNs with ADNs.
Related: Reasons why you should further your nursing education
How does work experience affect RN salary?
As with all professions, RNs can increase their salary by accruing professional experience. Entry-level RN salary range typically starts lower, but with five or more years of experience, nurse salary can climb well above the national average.
The following are average RN salaries by years of work experience:
- Twenty-one years or longer: $98,000
- Eleven to 20 years: $95,000
- Six to 10 years: $88,000
How do RNs supplement their income?
Over half of RNs (53 percent) pursue supplemental income in addition to their base salaries. Here are the ways that RNs typically supplement their income:
- Working extra shifts/overtime, weekends, and/or extra holidays: 30%
- Acting as preceptors: 15%
- Working “on call” shifts: 13%
- Taking on charge nurse responsibilities: 13%
- Working a second job or another income-producing activity (non-nursing): 12%
- Teaching classes: 7%
- Other: 8%
Do union-member registered nurses make more money?
Membership in a nurses’ union also significantly affects a registered nurse’s income. Here are average RN salaries based on union membership:
- Union members: $106,000
- Non-union RNs: $93,000
This difference in RN salary benefits and compensation demonstrates how union membership not only boosts pay but also impacts job security and overtime policies.
Is there a gender pay gap in nursing?
Although nursing is generally considered a woman-dominated field (89 percent), women RNs earn less than their male RN colleagues. The gender pay gap continues to be a concern:
- Male RN average salary: $104,000
- Female RN average salary: $94,000
What is the minimum wage for registered nurses?
The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour—unchanged since 2009. However, the minimum wage varies state by state, as does the average RN salary in 2025 (and every other year).
The highest minimum wage in the United States is $17.50 per hour in the District of Columbia.
That said, the minimum wage doesn’t apply to registered nurses since the lowest-paid 10th percentile of registered nurses in the United States (South Dakota) earn up to $24.99 per hour.
How do RN salaries compare to LPN/LVN salaries?
When comparing RN salary versus LPN salary, registered nurses consistently earn more, reflecting higher education and a broader scope of practice.
Overall, RN salary trends in 2025 show steady growth, with factors like experience, education level, and setting continuing to affect earnings.
For an in-depth look at LPN/LVN salaries, check out our LPN salary guide.
Will the average RN salary increase in 2026?
As long as nurses are in demand—and there is no end to the nurse staffing shortage in sight—RNs are well-positioned to negotiate better salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
Here are some ways that healthcare leaders are trying to attract and retain nurses:
- Higher salaries
- More flexible work schedules
- Sign-on bonuses and relocation packages
- Loan forgiveness
- Tuition assistance
- Incentives for pursuing certifications and other career development opportunities
- More attractive benefits, such as better retirement plans and childcare discounts
Do RNs make good money?
As we have seen in this state-by-state salary guide, RN income is a complex issue affected by numerous and diverse factors, including residence, education, work experience, and union membership. Therefore, a better question is, “How can RNs make more money?”
Here are some tips you can follow to make more money as an RN:
- Work in health-related positions before RN licensure, such as working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) during nursing school.
- Complete a BSN followed by an MSN or a doctoral degree in nursing.
- Pursue certifications in the highest-paying nurse specialties.
- Move to a high-paying state with a relatively low cost of living.
- Supplement your income by picking up extra shifts or acting as a nurse preceptor.
Do all well-paying RN jobs require higher education?
Higher education typically leads to higher pay across professions. However, obtaining higher degrees is not the only way to get higher pay as an RN.
Whether you’re evaluating registered nurse salary by state or considering per diem RN salary rates as a supplement, the factors affecting RN salary remain consistent: location, experience, specialty, and scheduling flexibility.
Nurses can significantly increase their hourly rates without pursuing higher education by picking up PRN jobs.
Nursa is a healthcare staffing app that connects nurses directly with facilities to fill open PRN shifts.
RNs can browse open PRN shifts near them and request the ones that fit their schedules, needs, and interests.
Picking up PRN jobs is a great way to supplement an RN income. Many RNs also work PRN full-time for greater flexibility and work-life balance.
Working PRN also offers many advantages over traveling as a nurse. PRN RNs make high pay rates without leaving the comfort of their homes or making longer-term commitments. With PRN nursing, RNs commit to one shift at a time and can request only the shifts with the highest pay.
Sign up with Nursa and check out per diem RN rates on shifts near you.
Sources:
- U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2024 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
- Gains Made but a Ways to Go: Medscape RN/LPN Compensation Report 2024
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
- Bureau of Economic Analysis: Regional Price Parities for States
