According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), the national median salary for a registered nurse in 2026 is $97,550 per year or $46.90 per hour. That’s the most authoritative number available and the right place to start.
If you’ve done a little research on your own, you’ve likely found numbers ranging from $78,950 in Mississippi to $150,280 in California for the same position, and numbers higher still on salary aggregator websites. The range isn’t wrong. It shows the extent to which an RN’s compensation varies depending on specialty, experience, setting, and location. The significance of the range is more helpful than an average.
This guide covers all of it: national baseline, state-by-state breakdown, cost-of-living adjusted comparisons, salary by specialty, salary by experience, work setting differences and how travel nursing changes the math entirely. Whether you’re a student researching whether nursing is financially worth it or a working RN benchmarking your current pay, the data here gives you a complete picture.
Average Registered Nurse Salary in 2026 — The National Baseline
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports
According to the most recent data released by the BLS (OEWS for May 2025), the national median for all 3,379,720 employed RNs is $46.90 per hour or $97,550 annually. This is a mid-range salary where half of all RNs make more than this and half make less. It’s also the number that is most likely to represent what a mid-career staff RN actually earns, since it is derived from employer-reported payroll data, not job postings or self-report surveys.
In comparison, the median household income in the U.S. is $83,730 (BLS 2024). RNs make a lot more than the national median wage, and specialty and geographic premiums drive individual RN wages significantly higher.
New Grad RN Salary vs. Experienced RN Salary
The national median doesn’t tell a nursing student what they’ll earn in year one, and it doesn’t tell a 15-year veteran whether they’re underpaid. Both groups require the experience-specific picture, explained in detail below. One thing that should be clarified at the outset: The beginning pay is not the long-term pay. The salary difference in a high-demand specialty between a new graduate ADN and a nurse with 20 years of experience is more than $60,000 per year. The average is not the ceiling for a wide range.
Registered Nurse Salary by State — The Full 2026 Breakdown
Highest-Paying States for Registered Nurses
For most RNs, location is the biggest salary levers they have, larger than specialty for staff nurses, larger than experience for many. The difference between the highest and lowest paying states is over $63,000 per year for equivalent work.
| Rank | State | Median Annual Salary | Median Hourly Rate |
| 1 | California | $150,280 | $72.25 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $124,340 | $59.78 |
| 3 | Oregon | $123,140 | $59.20 |
| 4 | Washington | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $117,960 | $56.71 |
| 6 | Alaska | $114,870 | $55.23 |
| 7 | New York | $113,440 | $54.54 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $110,100 | $52.93 |
| 9 | Nevada | $105,710 | $51.43 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $105,250 | $50.82 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (registerednursing.org, careslink.com, tagmedstaffing.com)
The high cost of living in California contributes to this figure, along with the fact that California is the only state that has a nurse-to-patient ratio law, which has a structural effect on the state’s nursing demand throughout the year and the clustering of large academic medical centers in California’s Bay Area and Southern California. A few metros rocket well above the state median: San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland.
Lowest-Paying States for Registered Nurses
| State | Median Annual Salary |
| Alabama | $77,090 |
| South Dakota | $77,140 |
| Mississippi | $78,950 |
| Iowa | $80,540 |
| Arkansas | $81,520 |
| Kansas | $82,360 |
| North Dakota | $83,600 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
California pays $150,280 a year compared to Mississippi’s $77,090, a difference of $63,180 per year for the same RN license and clinical abilities. Not a marginal difference at all. This is the number that most people will want to see for the nurse making a geographical choice.
Why the Gap Exists
The pay gap between states doesn’t just depend on cost of living. Structural demand is raised by mandatory nurse-to-patient ratio laws (only California now). Collective bargaining power and Union presence are higher in coastal and northeastern states. Hospitals receive reimbursement for services from Medicaid, and state healthcare spending will impact the rate at which hospitals pay their clinical staff. The density of higher acuity facilities, such as academic medical centers, trauma centers and specialty hospitals is also clustered in states that already pay high wages, adding to the benefit.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted RN Salary — The Comparison That Actually Matters
Why Gross Salary Doesn’t Tell the Full Story
One last number is needed before a nurse decides to make the leap from New Mexico to California for $150,280: how much does $150,280 in California actually buy versus what their current salary purchases at home?
When adjusted for Hawaii’s high cost of living, the gross salary appears attractive, but it’s far from that when you factor it in. Nevada, on the other hand, goes up: Without an income tax, Nevada’s adjusted value is even stronger than the raw number when compared to California’s cost of living. New Mexico, which is not in most top-10 salary lists, clears $103,000 in purchasing power, above New Jersey’s $101,195 adjusted figure.
The real-life application: the state with the highest earning salaries does not necessarily have the highest value. Taking housing and tax situations into account, a nurse earning $88,000 a year in Nebraska or Wisconsin could have more purchasing power than one making $109,000 a year in New York. When deciding whether to relocate just because of the salary difference, do the math for your particular circumstances.
RN Salary by Specialty — From Med-Surg to CRNA
How Specialty Affects RN Pay
Specialty is generally the second biggest factor of salary for RNs after geography. The difference in salary between the lowest-paying specialty and the highest is more than $150,000 per year; that’s the yearly income for a new graduate nurse! The differences are driven by acuity level, expertise needed, years needed for training and supply-demand dynamics in each specialty.
| Specialty | Average Annual Salary |
| CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) | $214,000+ |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $122,000–$140,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $120,000–$140,000 |
| CVOR / Cardiac Surgical RN | $100,000–$130,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $95,000–$130,000 |
| Emergency Department RN | $90,000–$125,000 |
| OR / Perioperative RN | $88,000–$118,000 |
| Telemetry RN | $80,000–$98,000 |
| NICU RN | $84,490–$100,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $82,000–$102,000 |
| Pediatric RN | $76,000–$88,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $72,000–$90,000 |
| Home Health RN | $65,000–$85,000 |
| School / Clinic RN | $55,000–$75,000 |
Sources: careerbldr.com, BLS specialty data, Salary.com (2026)
A few things stand out in this table. CVOR nurses, who work in cardiac operating rooms — command some of the highest staff RN salaries because the specialty requires both OR and cardiac critical care skills, and the nurse pool with both is genuinely small. ICU nurses’ wide range ($95,000–$130,000) reflects the difference between a community hospital ICU and a Level I trauma center ICU in a high-cost state. And the Med-Surg floor where most nurses begin is one of the lower ranges on this list, which is part of why experienced nurses move toward higher-acuity specialties as their careers develop.
The Advanced Practice Ceiling
The top three rows CRNA, CNM and NP require graduate-level education (MSN or DNP), and the salary premium reflects it. CRNAs earn $214,000+ on average, making them the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country by a significant margin. The CRNA pathway requires completing an accredited nurse anesthesia program (typically 3 years post-BSN) and passing national certification, a meaningful investment that pays back quickly given the salary differential.
NP and CNM roles earn $120,000–$140,000 and are growing rapidly as health systems expand their use of advanced practice providers. For a nurse considering a long-term career trajectory, the advanced practice ceiling is worth planning toward early.
RN Salary by Experience Level
How Pay Grows Over a Nursing Career
| Experience Level | Approximate Annual Salary |
| New grad ADN | $55,000–$65,000 |
| New grad BSN | $65,000–$80,000 |
| 2–5 years | $79,500–$91,000 |
| 5–10 years | $91,000–$103,500 |
| 10–20 years | $103,500–$118,000 |
| 20+ years | $118,000+ |
| Advanced practice (NP / CRNA) | $120,000–$214,000+ |
Sources: salaryinfo.blog, nuecareer.com (2026)
The progression from new grad to senior RN adds roughly $50,000–$60,000 over a career in most markets, before factoring in specialty moves or geographic changes, which can accelerate it significantly. Each major step on this table, from new grad to 5-year nurse, from 5-year nurse to 10-year nurse, reflects accumulated clinical judgment, specialty depth, and the leverage that comes from being genuinely difficult to replace.
Does a BSN Pay More Than an ADN?
Yes, and the gap is real from day one. BSN new graduates start $5,000–$15,000 higher than ADN peers in most markets. The difference is larger in some states and hospital systems. Magnet-designated hospitals frequently require a BSN for hire and for advancement past staff nurse level.
The gap compounds over time in two ways. First, BSN nurses access charge nurse, nurse manager, and advanced practice pathways faster than ADN nurses at most institutions. Second, the BSN is the prerequisite for graduate nursing programs, the NP and CRNA roles at the top of the salary table. An ADN nurse who earns a BSN later in their career recovers the salary premium, but loses the time advantage.
The financial case for BSN over ADN is usually clear within 3–5 years of practice, when the cumulative salary difference and advancement acceleration more than cover the additional education cost.
RN Salary by Work Setting
Hospital vs. Clinic vs. Home Health vs. Other Settings
Where you work, not just what specialty, significantly affects your salary. The same RN license and clinical skill set earns meaningfully different amounts in different settings, and the trade-offs aren’t just financial.
| Work Setting | Average Annual Salary | Trade-Off |
| Hospital (inpatient) | $97,000–$110,000+ | Highest pay, highest intensity |
| Outpatient surgery center | $90,000–$105,000 | Strong pay, more predictable hours |
| Outpatient clinic | $82,000–$92,000 | Lower intensity, lower pay |
| Long-term care / SNF | $75,000–$88,000 | High demand, growing pay |
| Home health | $65,000–$85,000 | Flexibility, lower base |
| School nursing | $55,000–$75,000 | Best work-life balance, lowest pay |
Inpatient hospital nursing pays the most because it demands the most. Acute care intensity, rotating shifts, higher patient acuity, and the credentialing burden that comes with hospital-based practice. Outpatient surgery centers offer a strong middle ground: pay that approaches inpatient levels with more predictable scheduling and no overnight rotations.
The Shift Differential Factor
The salary table above reflects base rates. Shift differentials add meaningfully on top for nurses working evenings, nights, and weekends:
- Night shift differential: typically $3–$6/hour above base rate
- Weekend differential: $2–$5/hour additional at most facilities
- Holiday pay: 1.5x–2x base rate depending on facility and contract
A full-time hospital RN working two night shifts per week earns approximately $6,000–$12,000 more annually than the base salary figure suggests. For a nurse who is willing to work nights and isn’t making that calculation, the gap is real money being left on the table.
Travel Nurse Salary vs. Staff Nurse Salary — The Real Comparison
What Travel RNs Actually Earn
Travel nursing is the income ceiling available to most RNs without an advanced degree, and the gap from staff nursing is substantial.
The national travel nurse average is $2,161 per week approximately $112,372 annualized. Top-demand specialties push significantly higher:
- CVOR, ICU, and OR travel nurses regularly clear $2,500–$3,500/week
- California travel nurses earn $2,800–$4,500+/week in premium contracts
- Annual equivalent at $2,500/week: approximately $130,000
| Employment Type | Approximate Annual Income |
| Staff RN — national median | $97,550 |
| Travel RN — national average | ~$112,372 |
| Travel RN — high-demand specialty, top markets | $130,000–$160,000+ |
The gap between staff median ($97,550) and travel average ($112,372) is roughly $15,000 annually at the national level. In high-demand specialties and high-paying states, that gap widens to $30,000–$60,000+.
Why Travel Pays More — And What the Trade-Offs Are
Travel nurse pay includes two components: a taxable base rate and tax-free stipends for housing and meals, which apply when a nurse is working away from their tax home and maintaining a permanent residence. The tax-free component, typically $500–$1,500/week depending on the location’s cost of living is what creates the most significant income advantage over equivalent staff positions.
The trade-offs are real. Travel contracts require relocating every 13 weeks (unless taking local contracts, which have different stipend rules), adapting to new unit cultures and EMR systems quickly, and managing benefits independently rather than through an employer. For nurses who can manage the lifestyle, it’s one of the highest-leverage income moves available without additional education.
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How to Earn More as a Registered Nurse in 2026
The 6 Highest-Impact Moves
If your current salary is below where you want it, these are the moves that consistently produce the largest results in rough order of speed of impact:
- Relocate or take a travel contract. Geography is the fastest single-step income increase available. Moving from Mississippi ($78,950) to California ($150,280) increases base pay by $63,180 without changing specialty or experience. A travel contract achieves the same effect in 13-week increments without permanent relocation.
- Move into a higher-acuity specialty. Each step up the acuity ladder from med-surg to telemetry, telemetry to ICU, adds $5,000–$20,000+ annually. The skills required take time to build, but the career planning starts now.
- Pick up shift differentials strategically. Night and weekend differentials add $6,000–$12,000/year without changing jobs, specialties, or locations. For nurses who are willing to work these shifts, it’s the most immediate income increase available.
- Pursue BSN if you hold an ADN. The pay premium starts immediately upon BSN completion, and the advancement ceiling expands significantly.
- Earn a specialty certification. CCRN, CEN, CNOR, and other specialty certifications are tied to pay bumps at most hospital systems either as step increases or one-time bonuses. They also improve travel contract rates and negotiating leverage.
- Explore an NP or CRNA pathway. The advanced practice salary premium is $30,000–$120,000+ over staff RN pay. CRNA in particular represents the single highest earning potential in nursing without moving into administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary of a registered nurse in 2026?
The national median for registered nurses is $97,550 per year ($46.90/hour) based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data across 3.38 million employed RNs. This is a median figure — half of all RNs earn above it, half below. Individual salaries range from approximately $77,090 in the lowest-paying states to $140,270 in California, with advanced practice nurses (NP, CNM, CRNA) earning $120,000–$214,000+.
Do registered nurses make good money?
Yes, RNs earn significantly above the U.S. median household income ($59,540), and the income ceiling is high relative to the required education. A BSN takes four years; a CRNA program adds three more. Starting salaries range from $55,000–$80,000 depending on degree and market, with mid-career earning potential well above $100,000 in most states and travel nursing offering $112,000–$160,000+ annualized without advanced practice credentials.
What state pays registered nurses the most?
California pays the highest median RN salary at $150,280 per year ($67.44/hour) based on BLS 2025 data. Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010), and Washington ($124,200) round out the top four. When adjusted for cost of living, the rankings shift: Nevada and some Midwestern states rise, while Hawaii falls, because purchasing power varies significantly from gross salary.
What type of nurse gets paid the most?
CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) are the highest-paid nursing professionals in the country, averaging $214,000+ annually. Among staff RNs without advanced practice credentials, CVOR and ICU nurses in high-paying markets earn the most, $100,000–$130,000. Specialty and geography together determine the top of the staff RN range.
What is the starting salary for a new graduate RN?
New grad ADN nurses typically start at $55,000–$65,000. New grad BSN nurses start at $65,000–$80,000. The difference reflects both the educational credential and the fact that BSN programs provide more advanced clinical training. Starting salary also varies significantly by state and facility type, a new grad in California earns substantially more than one in Mississippi with the same degree.
Does a BSN make more money than an ADN?
Yes. BSN new graduates start $5,000–$15,000 higher than ADN peers in most markets, and the gap compounds over time as BSN nurses access charge nurse, leadership, and advanced practice pathways faster. Magnet-designated hospital systems often require a BSN for hire or for advancement. The financial return on the BSN credential typically outpaces its cost within 3–5 years of practice.
How much do travel nurses make compared to staff nurses?
Travel nurses earn a national average of $2,161 per week, approximately $112,372 annualized, versus the staff RN median of $97,550. In high-demand specialties (ICU, CVOR, OR) and high-paying markets (California, New York), travel nurses regularly earn $130,000–$160,000+ annually. The premium reflects both the higher hourly rate and the tax-free housing and meal stipends available to qualifying travel nurses.
How can an RN increase their salary?
The six highest-impact moves: relocate or take a travel contract for an immediate geographic premium; move into a higher-acuity specialty; work night and weekend shifts for differential pay ($6,000–$12,000/year additional); earn a BSN if you hold an ADN; pursue specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN, CNOR) tied to pay bumps at most facilities; and consider an NP or CRNA pathway for the advanced practice salary premium of $30,000–$120,000+ over staff RN pay.
