RN Salary by State: Where Nurses Earn the Most

Compare RN salary by state using the latest BLS wage data. See where registered nurses earn the most, how cost of living changes the picture, and what to check before accepting an offer.

Zoe E., BSN, RNPublished 24 May 2026 · Updated 24 May 2026

64 min read

RN salary changes fast by location.

A registered nurse can earn a strong income in one state and still feel squeezed by rent, taxes, commuting costs, benefits, and shift requirements.

Another nurse may earn a lower headline salary but keep more of it because housing and daily expenses are lower.

That is why you should never compare RN salaries by annual pay alone.

Use salary, cost of living, benefits, differential pay, staffing expectations, union contracts, and career growth together.

What this guide covers

This guide breaks down RN salary by state.

It also explains what the numbers mean in real life.

You will learn:

Which states pay RNs the most
Which states pay less on average
Why state averages can mislead you
How hourly pay compares with annual pay
How cost of living changes the salary picture
How hospital systems, unions, and clinical ladders affect pay
How new grad RN salary differs from experienced RN salary
What to check before accepting an RN job offer
How to compare offers without guessing

This guide is written for nursing students, new grads, and working RNs comparing career options.

If you are still building your job search materials, start with NurseZee’s new grad nurse resume guide.

If you are applying to transition programs, review the nurse residency program guide.

RN salary by state: the big picture

Registered nurses are paid differently across the United States because nursing labor markets are local.

Pay depends on:

State demand for RNs
Metro area demand
Hospital competition
Union contracts
Staffing laws or staffing pressure
Cost of living
Specialty
Experience level
Shift
Weekend requirements
Degree level
Certifications
Float pool or resource pool status
Per diem status
Rural vs urban location
Academic medical center vs community hospital
Public hospital vs private hospital
Federal, state, or VA employment

A state average tells you where the market is stronger.

It does not tell you exactly what you will earn.

Highest-paying states for RNs

These are the top states and districts for registered nurse mean annual wage.

Rank	State or district	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
1	California	$71.31	$148,330
2	Hawaii	$59.48	$123,720
3	Oregon	$57.92	$120,470
4	Washington	$55.64	$115,740
5	Massachusetts	$54.14	$112,610
6	Alaska	$53.86	$112,040
7	New York	$53.12	$110,490
8	District of Columbia	$52.52	$109,240
9	New Jersey	$51.44	$106,990
10	Connecticut	$49.84	$103,670

California leads by a wide margin.

The top states are not random.

Many have one or more of these factors:

High cost of living
Dense hospital markets
Strong academic medical centers
Strong union presence
Competitive specialty care systems
High demand in major metro areas
Higher housing costs that push wages up
Hard-to-staff rural or remote regions

Lowest-paying states for RNs

Lower-paying states are often in the South and parts of the Midwest.

That does not automatically mean they are bad places to work.

Lower salary may come with lower housing costs, easier commuting, lower taxes, or better schedule stability.

The lowest mean annual wages in this dataset are:

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
47	Kansas	$38.19	$79,430
48	Iowa	$37.39	$77,780
49	Arkansas	$37.36	$77,720
50	Alabama	$36.04	$74,970
51	South Dakota	$34.72	$72,210

Do not use this table to judge a job by itself.

Use it as a starting point.

Then compare actual local offers.

Complete RN salary by state table

The table below lists mean RN wages by state and district.

These are BLS wage estimates for registered nurses.

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
1	California	$71.31	$148,330
2	Hawaii	$59.48	$123,720
3	Oregon	$57.92	$120,470
4	Washington	$55.64	$115,740
5	Massachusetts	$54.14	$112,610
6	Alaska	$53.86	$112,040
7	New York	$53.12	$110,490
8	District of Columbia	$52.52	$109,240
9	New Jersey	$51.44	$106,990
10	Connecticut	$49.84	$103,670
11	Nevada	$49.17	$102,280
12	Rhode Island	$47.96	$99,770
13	Minnesota	$47.82	$99,460
14	Maryland	$46.46	$96,650
15	Colorado	$45.90	$95,470
16	Delaware	$45.89	$95,450
17	Arizona	$45.79	$95,230
18	New Hampshire	$45.49	$94,620
19	New Mexico	$45.37	$94,360
20	Vermont	$44.57	$92,710
21	Georgia	$44.21	$91,960
22	Texas	$44.08	$91,690
23	Illinois	$43.81	$91,130
24	Virginia	$43.72	$90,930
25	Pennsylvania	$43.67	$90,830
26	Michigan	$43.55	$90,580
27	Wisconsin	$43.48	$90,450
28	Idaho	$43.16	$89,770
29	Montana	$42.54	$88,480
30	Utah	$42.42	$88,240
31	Florida	$42.40	$88,200
32	Wyoming	$42.32	$88,020
33	Maine	$42.04	$87,440
34	North Carolina	$41.48	$86,270
35	Ohio	$41.40	$86,110
36	Indiana	$41.27	$85,850
37	Oklahoma	$41.25	$85,800
38	South Carolina	$40.83	$84,930
39	Louisiana	$40.44	$84,110
40	Kentucky	$40.34	$83,900
41	Nebraska	$39.85	$82,890
42	Tennessee	$39.43	$82,010
43	Missouri	$39.40	$81,950
44	North Dakota	$39.38	$81,900
45	West Virginia	$38.77	$80,650
46	Mississippi	$38.21	$79,470
47	Kansas	$38.19	$79,430
48	Iowa	$37.39	$77,780
49	Arkansas	$37.36	$77,720
50	Alabama	$36.04	$74,970
51	South Dakota	$34.72	$72,210

How to read the RN salary table

Start with four questions.

1. Is this number a mean wage or a median wage?
2. Is it state-level or metro-level?
3. Does it include overtime or only standard wages?
4. Is the job offer full-time, part-time, per diem, float pool, or travel?

State averages are useful for comparing markets.

They are not enough for deciding whether to move.

A nurse earning $120,000 in a high-rent city may have less breathing room than a nurse earning $90,000 in a lower-cost area.

A nurse earning a lower base rate may also earn more through nights, weekends, overtime, call pay, charge pay, preceptor pay, or certification differentials.

Mean salary vs median salary

Mean and median are not the same.

Mean salary is the average.

Median salary is the middle point.

If very high earners pull the average upward, the mean may look higher than what a typical nurse sees.

Mean wage

Mean wage adds all wages together and divides by the number of workers.

It can be affected by high earners.

Median wage

Median wage is the middle value.

Half earn more.

Half earn less.

What nursing students should use

For a job decision, use both.

The state mean tells you the broad market.

The job posting tells you the real range.

Your experience level tells you where you may land inside that range.

Hourly RN pay vs annual RN salary

Most bedside RN jobs are hourly.

That matters.

Hourly nurses may earn more through:

Night shift differential
Evening shift differential
Weekend differential
Holiday pay
Overtime
Call pay
Charge nurse differential
Preceptor differential
Float differential
Crisis or incentive shifts
Per diem premium rates

Annual salary estimates usually assume full-time work.

A common conversion is 2,080 hours per year.

That equals 40 hours per week for 52 weeks.

Example hourly calculation

Hourly rate: $45.00
Full-time hours: 2,080 per year
Estimated base annual pay: $93,600

Example with shift differential

Base rate: $45.00/hour
Night differential: $5.00/hour
Effective night rate: $50.00/hour
Full-time night estimate: $104,000/year before overtime

Example with overtime

Base rate: $45.00/hour
Overtime rate at 1.5x: $67.50/hour
One 8-hour overtime shift: $540 before taxes

Do not assume overtime will always be available.

Do not build your budget around overtime unless your unit consistently offers it and you are willing to work it.

Why California RN salaries are so high

California is the highest-paying state for RNs by mean wage.

Common reasons include:

High cost of living
High housing costs in many metro areas
Competitive hospital markets
Unionized nursing contracts in many systems
Large academic and specialty hospitals
Complex patient care needs
State staffing requirements and staffing expectations

California pay can be excellent.

California expenses can also be high.

Look at rent, commute, parking, state taxes, childcare, and whether you need to live near the hospital.

A Bay Area or Los Angeles offer may look huge until you compare housing.

Why Hawaii ranks high but still needs caution

Hawaii has one of the highest RN mean wages.

It also has high living costs.

Housing, groceries, transportation, and travel costs can be significant.

A nurse moving to Hawaii should check:

Island and city
Housing availability
Commute time
Parking
Shift schedule
Differential pay
Relocation support
Whether the facility offers housing support
Whether the job is permanent, contract, or travel

High salary does not always mean high disposable income.

Why Oregon and Washington are strong RN markets

Oregon and Washington both rank near the top.

They have strong hospital systems, growing metro areas, and competitive nurse labor markets.

Portland and Seattle-area jobs may pay well.

But housing and commuting can be expensive.

Rural areas may offer different pay patterns.

Some rural hospitals may use bonuses or incentives to recruit.

Others may pay less than large metro hospitals.

Why Massachusetts and New York pay well

Massachusetts and New York have major academic medical centers, specialty hospitals, and dense healthcare markets.

Boston and New York City can have high wages.

They also have high living costs.

Before accepting an offer, compare:

Base rate
Union step scale if applicable
Differentials
Pension or retirement plan
Health insurance cost
Transit cost
Parking cost
Required weekends
Required holidays
Floating expectations

Why Alaska ranks high

Alaska often pays more because recruiting and retaining healthcare workers can be harder.

Remote geography matters.

Weather, travel, rural access, and staffing needs can affect compensation.

An Alaska offer may include:

Higher base pay
Relocation support
Housing help
Rural differential
Travel support
Bonus opportunities

Read the terms carefully.

A relocation bonus may require a work commitment.

Why the District of Columbia ranks high

Washington, DC has a high mean RN wage.

It also has high housing and commuting costs.

RNs may compare DC offers with Maryland and Virginia offers because the labor market crosses state lines.

A job in DC may pay more but cost more to reach.

A job in Maryland or Virginia may offer a better commute or lower housing burden.

Cost of living changes everything

BLS wages tell you what RNs earn.

They do not tell you what that pay buys.

For cost-of-living comparisons, the Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities.

Regional Price Parities compare state and metro price levels to the national average.

A state above 100 is more expensive than the national average.

A state below 100 is less expensive than the national average.

Example cost-of-living adjustment

Nominal RN salary: $100,000
Regional price level: 110
Purchasing-power estimate: $90,909

Formula:
$100,000 x 100 / 110 = $90,909

This does not replace your personal budget.

It helps you avoid comparing salary numbers blindly.

What BLS salary data includes and does not include

BLS OEWS data is one of the best public sources for occupational wage comparisons.

But you need to know its limits.

BLS data can help you compare:

State wage levels
Metro wage levels
Occupational wage patterns
Broad employment estimates
Mean and percentile wages

BLS data does not tell you:

Your exact starting rate
Your exact hospital pay step
Your shift differential
Your overtime availability
Your union contract step
Your specialty premium
Your sign-on bonus value
Your benefits cost
Your after-tax income
Your unit workload
Your staffing pattern
Your call requirement

Use BLS as the baseline.

Use actual job postings and HR offers for decisions.

RN salary by work setting

State matters.

Setting also matters.

RNs work in many settings:

General medical and surgical hospitals
Specialty hospitals
Outpatient clinics
Ambulatory surgery centers
Physician offices
Home health
Public health
Schools
Long-term care
Skilled nursing facilities
Rehabilitation facilities
Correctional health
Insurance and case management
Telehealth
Occupational health
Government and VA systems

Hospitals often pay more than many outpatient settings.

But outpatient jobs may offer better hours.

A clinic job may have lower pay but no nights.

A hospital job may have higher pay but rotating weekends and holidays.

A per diem job may pay more per hour but offer fewer benefits.

A union job may have clearer raises but less flexibility in starting step.

Hospital systems and RN pay

Large hospital systems often use structured pay models.

A hospital may set RN pay based on:

Years of experience
Degree
Specialty
Certifications
Unit acuity
Union contract
Clinical ladder level
Geographic market
Internal equity
Weekend or night requirements
Float pool status

Some systems publish broad benefits pages.

Some include pay ranges in job postings because of state pay transparency laws.

Some use step scales negotiated through union contracts.

Some use internal salary models.

Examples of employer pay factors

Mayo Clinic describes an RN Salary Model that uses market survey data to create salary ranges and pay practices.

Kaiser Permanente has publicly discussed RN wage proposals and hourly RN rates in collective bargaining materials.

Cleveland Clinic describes nursing career paths, specialty tracks, benefits, tuition reimbursement, and loan repayment resources.

Mass General Brigham describes a benefits package focused on health, financial well-being, and life needs.

Stanford Health Care describes nursing career advancement and professional growth opportunities.

The takeaway is not that one hospital is always better.

The takeaway is that pay is only one part of the offer.

What affects your personal RN salary

Two nurses in the same state can earn very different pay.

Your pay may change based on:

ADN vs BSN vs MSN
Years of RN experience
Specialty experience
ICU, ED, OR, PACU, L&D, NICU, oncology, dialysis, or procedural skills
Charge nurse experience
Preceptor experience
Float pool experience
Travel or contract experience
Certifications
Unit need
Hospital pay scale
Local competition
Shift
Weekend requirement
Call requirement
Negotiation room

High-value specialties

Specialties that may improve pay or bargaining power include:

ICU
Emergency department
Operating room
PACU
Cath lab
Labor and delivery
NICU
Pediatric ICU
Oncology
Dialysis
Interventional radiology
Endoscopy
Case management
Informatics
Quality and safety

Specialty pay varies by employer.

Do not assume a certification automatically increases base pay.

Ask whether the employer pays certification differentials.

New grad RN salary by state

New grads usually do not start at the state mean.

The state mean includes experienced nurses.

It may include charge nurses, specialty nurses, float pool nurses, and nurses with years of raises.

New grad pay depends on:

Local market
Hospital system
Union step scale
Residency program
Degree level
Shift
Unit
Geographic location
Whether you are in a high-demand specialty

New grad salary reality check

State mean RN wage: useful for market comparison
New grad offer: likely based on entry step or residency rate
Experienced RN offer: may land higher on the scale
Specialty/float/per diem offer: may differ significantly

If you are applying as a new grad, compare nurse residency programs, preceptor support, specialty access, and training quality.

A slightly lower first-year rate can be worth it if the program gives you strong transition support.

A higher rate may not be worth it if the unit has unsafe staffing, poor orientation, or high turnover.

For application help, review NurseZee’s new grad nurse resume guide.

RN salary and nurse residency programs

Nurse residency programs may use a fixed new grad rate.

Some increase pay after orientation or after the residency year.

Some place you on a union step scale immediately.

Some have a contract or repayment agreement if you leave early.

Before signing, ask:

What is the starting hourly rate?
When does the rate increase?
Are night and weekend differentials paid during orientation?
Is there a residency completion raise?
Is there a sign-on bonus?
Does the bonus require a commitment?
Is there a repayment clause?
Can I transfer units during or after residency?
What happens if I do not pass NCLEX by the start date?

For more details, use NurseZee’s nurse residency program guide.

Sign-on bonuses: read the fine print

A sign-on bonus can help.

It can also trap you.

Always ask whether the bonus is tied to:

A one-year commitment
A two-year commitment
A specific unit
Full-time status
Night shift status
Repayment if you leave
Repayment if you transfer
Repayment if you reduce hours
Tax withholding
Payment installments

Bonus example

Sign-on bonus: $10,000
Paid: $5,000 after 90 days and $5,000 after one year
Commitment: 24 months
Repayment: prorated if leaving early

A bonus is not free money.

It is part of the contract.

Shift differentials can change the real salary

Two RNs may have the same base rate and different annual income.

A night-shift nurse may earn more than a day-shift nurse.

A weekend-option nurse may earn more than a standard full-time nurse.

A float pool nurse may earn more but cover multiple units.

Differential questions to ask

What is the night differential?
What is the evening differential?
What is the weekend differential?
Is holiday pay 1.5x or another rate?
Does differential apply during PTO?
Does differential apply during orientation?
Does differential count toward overtime calculations?

Do not rely on verbal estimates.

Ask for the written compensation breakdown.

Benefits can outweigh a higher hourly rate

A higher hourly rate is not always the better offer.

Compare benefits.

Important benefits include:

Health insurance premiums
Deductibles
Out-of-pocket maximums
Dental and vision coverage
Retirement match
Pension
Tuition reimbursement
Loan repayment
Paid time off
Sick leave
Parental leave
Disability coverage
Life insurance
Parking or transit support
Certification reimbursement
Conference support
Continuing education funds
Scrub allowance
Childcare support

A job paying $2 less per hour may be better if the benefits are much stronger.

A job paying $5 more per hour may be worse if health insurance costs are high and PTO is weak.

Union contracts and RN salary

Union contracts can strongly affect RN pay.

They may define:

Step increases
Experience credit
Shift differentials
Weekend pay
Charge pay
Preceptor pay
Overtime rules
Floating rules
Staffing language
Break coverage
Seniority
Vacation bidding
Grievance processes

Union pay scales can make compensation more transparent.

They can also limit negotiation because pay is tied to the contract.

If a hospital is unionized, ask for the relevant contract or wage scale.

Pay transparency laws and RN job postings

Some states require employers to include pay ranges in job postings.

A posted range may be broad.

Do not assume you will start at the top.

Ask where your experience places you.

Pay range example

Posted range: $41.00-$72.00/hour
Your experience: new grad
Likely placement: bottom or entry step

Experienced RN example

Posted range: $41.00-$72.00/hour
Your experience: 7 years ICU + CCRN
Likely placement: higher step, depending on policy

The range is a clue.

The written offer is what matters.

How to compare two RN job offers

Use a simple side-by-side review.

Offer A
Base rate:
Shift differential:
Weekend differential:
Estimated annual base:
Estimated annual differential:
Overtime expectation:
PTO:
Health insurance cost:
Retirement:
Tuition support:
Commute:
Parking/transit:
Orientation length:
Patient population:
Staffing pattern:
Float requirement:
Career ladder:

Offer B
Base rate:
Shift differential:
Weekend differential:
Estimated annual base:
Estimated annual differential:
Overtime expectation:
PTO:
Health insurance cost:
Retirement:
Tuition support:
Commute:
Parking/transit:
Orientation length:
Patient population:
Staffing pattern:
Float requirement:
Career ladder:

Then ask one question.

Which offer gives me the best combination of safe practice, income, learning, and long-term career growth?

Money matters.

So does safety.

So does support.

RN salary negotiation: what nurses can ask

New grads often have less room to negotiate base pay.

Experienced nurses may have more room.

Either way, you can ask clear questions.

Good salary questions

How is my starting step determined?
How many years of experience are being credited?
Is specialty experience credited differently?
Is there a written wage scale?
Are differentials included in the offer letter?
Is there a clinical ladder increase?
When is the first eligible raise?
Is certification pay available?
Is there tuition reimbursement or loan repayment?
Is relocation assistance available?

Simple negotiation script

Thank you for the offer. I am excited about the role and the unit.

Based on my ICU experience, certification, and preceptor background, can you review whether I qualify for a higher step or additional experience credit?

I would also appreciate a written breakdown of base pay, shift differential, weekend differential, benefits, and any bonus terms before I make a final decision.

New grad script

Thank you for the offer. I am very interested in the nurse residency program.

Can you confirm the hourly rate, shift differential, weekend differential, orientation pay, residency completion raise if applicable, and any repayment terms tied to the program or bonus?

Keep it professional.

Ask for clarification.

Do not bluff.

When a lower-paying RN job may be better

A lower-paying job can be the better choice when it offers:

Better orientation
Safer staffing
Better preceptors
Lower commute burden
Better benefits
Better schedule
Stronger residency
Stronger specialty pathway
Lower burnout risk
Better leadership
More predictable hours
Better tuition support
Clearer clinical ladder

A high-paying job can become expensive if it burns you out quickly.

A lower-paying job can be smart if it builds skill, confidence, and stability.

When a higher-paying RN job may be worth it

A higher-paying job may be worth it when it offers:

Strong base pay
Safe staffing
Specialty training
Good differentials
Strong benefits
Transparent wage steps
Good leadership
Reasonable commute
Tuition support
Certification support
Career ladder opportunity
Stable schedule

The best offer is not just the highest rate.

It is the highest value.

Top-paying RN states by region

State rankings are useful.

Regional rankings may be more practical if you want to stay near family or school.

West: RN salary highlights

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
1	California	$71.31	$148,330
2	Hawaii	$59.48	$123,720
3	Oregon	$57.92	$120,470
4	Washington	$55.64	$115,740
6	Alaska	$53.86	$112,040
11	Nevada	$49.17	$102,280
15	Colorado	$45.90	$95,470
17	Arizona	$45.79	$95,230
19	New Mexico	$45.37	$94,360
28	Idaho	$43.16	$89,770
29	Montana	$42.54	$88,480
30	Utah	$42.42	$88,240
32	Wyoming	$42.32	$88,020

In the West, the strongest RN salary markets in this dataset are California, Hawaii, Oregon.

Use the state table as a starting point, then compare metro-level wages and specific hospital offers.

Northeast: RN salary highlights

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
5	Massachusetts	$54.14	$112,610
7	New York	$53.12	$110,490
9	New Jersey	$51.44	$106,990
10	Connecticut	$49.84	$103,670
12	Rhode Island	$47.96	$99,770
18	New Hampshire	$45.49	$94,620
20	Vermont	$44.57	$92,710
25	Pennsylvania	$43.67	$90,830
33	Maine	$42.04	$87,440

In the Northeast, the strongest RN salary markets in this dataset are Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey.

Use the state table as a starting point, then compare metro-level wages and specific hospital offers.

South: RN salary highlights

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
8	District of Columbia	$52.52	$109,240
14	Maryland	$46.46	$96,650
16	Delaware	$45.89	$95,450
21	Georgia	$44.21	$91,960
22	Texas	$44.08	$91,690
24	Virginia	$43.72	$90,930
31	Florida	$42.40	$88,200
34	North Carolina	$41.48	$86,270
37	Oklahoma	$41.25	$85,800
38	South Carolina	$40.83	$84,930
39	Louisiana	$40.44	$84,110
40	Kentucky	$40.34	$83,900
42	Tennessee	$39.43	$82,010
45	West Virginia	$38.77	$80,650
46	Mississippi	$38.21	$79,470
49	Arkansas	$37.36	$77,720
50	Alabama	$36.04	$74,970

In the South, the strongest RN salary markets in this dataset are District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware.

Use the state table as a starting point, then compare metro-level wages and specific hospital offers.

Midwest: RN salary highlights

Rank	State	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
13	Minnesota	$47.82	$99,460
23	Illinois	$43.81	$91,130
26	Michigan	$43.55	$90,580
27	Wisconsin	$43.48	$90,450
35	Ohio	$41.40	$86,110
36	Indiana	$41.27	$85,850
41	Nebraska	$39.85	$82,890
43	Missouri	$39.40	$81,950
44	North Dakota	$39.38	$81,900
47	Kansas	$38.19	$79,430
48	Iowa	$37.39	$77,780
51	South Dakota	$34.72	$72,210

In the Midwest, the strongest RN salary markets in this dataset are Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan.

Use the state table as a starting point, then compare metro-level wages and specific hospital offers.

State-by-state RN salary notes

Use these notes as a quick starting point.

They are not a substitute for local job postings.

California RN salary

BLS mean RN pay for California is $71.31 per hour and $148,330 per year.

California is a top-10 RN pay market in this dataset.

A high salary can still come with high housing costs, competitive units, and expensive commutes. Compare take-home pay before relocating.