How Much Do Registered Nurses Make?

Charmaine Robinson, MSN-Ed, RN
By
Updated on July 2, 2025
Edited by
Nursing is a rewarding and lucrative career. Read more to discover how RN pay can be impacted by location, experience, education, skillset, and more.
Featured ImageCredit: FatCamera / E+ / Getty Images

Registered nurses (RN) can enjoy one of the most stable and rewarding healthcare occupations. They earn a high average salary and have increased demand to serve an aging population.

Nursing students can become RNs in 2-4 years and earn salaries exceeding the U.S. average. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average annual salary of $98,430. Factors such as location, specialty certification, and experience can lead to salaries of more than $135,000.

Fast Facts About Registered Nurse Salaries

  • The average annual RN salary is $98,430 or $47 an hour.
  • Between 2020 and 2024, the proportion of RNs who made between $80,000 and $100,000 per year increased by 5%, and those making more than $100,000 increased by 17%.
  • The highest-paying states for RNs are California, Hawaii, and Oregon.
  • Family health and acute/critical care are the highest-paying nursing specialties for RNs.
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How Much Do Registered Nurses Make?

With an average salary of $98,430, RNs earn higher salaries compared to the average for all U.S. occupations. RNs earn competitive salaries that can lead to rewarding and financially stable careers. The demanding nature of the profession can contribute to RNs’ high earning potential, along with the extensive education and training required and nurses’ critical role in healthcare.

Average Annual Salary

$98,430

Source: May 2024

Average Hourly Wage

$47

Source: BLS May 2024

Most nurses earn $66,030-$135,320 annually for the lowest and highest-paid earners. The median annual salary for RNs is $93,600 or $45 per hour, but salary can vary based on degree, certification, and experience. For example, the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported nurses with over 10 years of experience earned up to $30,000 more per year than nurses with just one year or less.

Registered Nurse Salary by Education Level

RNs can enter the field after completing a nursing diploma or two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN). However, earning a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) has become the most popular option for RN training. BSN-prepared nurses earn a higher starting salary and have access to more job opportunities.

Generally, the higher the degree, the greater the compensation level. RNs with a master of science in nursing (MSN) can earn an average of $21,000 more than individuals with a BSN.

Registered Nurse Salary by Specialty

RNs can receive specialized training to gain in-depth knowledge and advanced skills. As such, RN salary levels vary with board certification and specialization. The following information provides average salaries for some common specializations.

Some of the highest-paying registered nurse specializations include family health, acute/critical care, and emergency/trauma nursing.

The Highest- and Lowest-Paying States for Registered Nurses

While RNs receive relatively high salaries compared to other occupations, some areas of the country pay far more than others. Overall, the Western states offer the highest salaries, while some Southern and Midwestern states pay the least.

Factors such as cost of living, nursing demand, and labor conditions account for RN salary variations across the country. California and Hawaii, which rank among the most expensive states for cost of living, attract nurses by paying the top salaries in the country. Lower-paying states generally offer a more affordable lifestyle.

As of May 2024, the states with the highest annual pay for RNs are:

Highest-Paying States for RNs
StateAverage Salary
California$148,330
Hawaii$123,720
Oregon$120,470
Washington$115,740
Massachusetts$112,610
Source: BLS

The states with the lowest annual pay for RNs are:

Lowest-Paying States for RNs
StateAverage Salary
Kansas$79,430
Iowa$77,780
Arkansas$77,720
Alabama$74,970
South Dakota$72,210
Source: BLS

Registered Nurse Salary by Industry

RN salaries vary substantially by workplace setting. Among the most common industries for RNs, those working for the government, and in hospitals and ambulatory healthcare services reported the highest earnings as of May 2024.

How Do Registered Nurse Salaries Compare to Those of Other Nurses?

RNs, while earning less than advanced practice nurses (APRNs), make much more than nurses without college degrees.

Compared to other nursing professions, RNs earn about $54,000 more than certified nursing assistants and around $31,000 more than licensed practical nurses as of May 2024. But, RNs earn about $36,000 less per year on average than nurse practitioners.

Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid nurses. These highly trained nurses must earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) and spend seven or more years completing education and training.

What Kind of Salary Growth Can Registered Nurses Expect?

Like most professions, a nurse’s salary can increase with more experience and education. Higher RN salary levels correspond to recent changes in expectations about RN roles and responsibilities.

Nursing training has become more specialized, with a growing emphasis on technology and preventive care. As advanced graduate nursing degrees become more common, RNs can move into senior leadership roles with higher salaries.

Four Ways to Increase Pay As a Registered Nurse

While RNs already earn competitive salaries, they have the potential to earn even more should they desire. By advancing their education, sharpening certain skills, and working in certain settings or specialties, nurses can boost their pay by a considerable amount.

  1. 1

    Consider Pursuing Certifications

    Nursing certification proves a nurse is competent in a particular area of expertise. Many RNs are eligible for certification after just two years of experience in a nursing specialty, such as emergency nursing, perioperative care, or medical-surgical nursing. Some employers offer promotions and higher salaries to nurses who are certified.

  2. 2

    Increase Your Education Level OR Earn Your BSN/MSN

    RNs with higher degrees typically earn higher salaries than those with entry-level degrees as they carry greater responsibilities and make more complex decisions. Nurses with an ADN who return to school and earn a BSN or MSN can increase their annual salaries by $5,000 and $26,000, respectively.

  3. 3

    Gain Experience in Administrative Roles

    Nurses who work in administrative roles oversee nursing staff and manage healthcare business affairs. They generally earn higher salaries as they must have certain leadership skills, extensive health care knowledge, and hold a BSN or higher. RNs can gain entry-level administrative experience by serving as charge/lead nurses or nurse managers.

  4. 4

    Change Practice Setting OR Become a Travel Nurse

    Some practice settings simply pay more than others. Per the BLS, RNs who work in hospitals and physician offices earn the highest salaries. Becoming a travel nurse in certain specialties can also increase RN pay. Per June 2025 ZipRecruiter data, the highest-paying travel nursing specialties are international nursing, critical care, and wound care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurse Salaries

According to the BLS, the highest-earning 10% of RNs make about $135,000 each year on average. RN salaries vary based on degree level, specialty, location, years of experience, and more. Advanced practice RNs often earn higher salaries.