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New York is the 12th highest-paying state for registered nurses (RNs), and New York City is home to some of the most prestigious hospitals and health systems in the world.
This guide describes registered nurse salary New York ranges, and expectations for New York City and other high-paying locations. Keep reading for tips to evaluate or negotiate a registered nurse salary offer in New York.
- Average New York RN Salary: $93,320 (Ranks 8th among all states)
- Hourly New York RN Salary: $44.86
- Projected New York RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 4.5%
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Average RN Salaries in New York
The cost of living is higher in New York than in most parts of the United States, and so are nursing salaries. There are also significant differences within New York state, as seen in the next section.
In New York, whether you live in the city or within easy travel distance, you have access to some of the most exciting entertainment and culture in the world.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurse salaries in New York state range from $61,260 among the bottom 10th percentile (the 10% who earn the least) to $127,080 among the top 90th percentile (the 10% who earn the most). The median registered nurse salary in New York is $96,170.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| 25% | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| 50% (Median) | $96,170 | $46.24 |
| 75% | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| 90% | $127,080 | $61.09 |
Source: BLS
New York RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
Overall, the cost of living in New York state is 10.2% higher than it is across the entire United States. Cost-of-living figures are based on the costs of goods and services, with an emphasis on necessities like housing, food, medical care, and utilities.
These figures also include education, recreation, apparel, and entertainment. New York has the 5th highest cost of living in the United States.
Rent and housing are especially expensive in New York City, although many New Yorkers use public transportation, which does reduce total expenses. The average RN salary New York adjusted figure is $83,801, the 12th highest among all states.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $83,801 (Ranks 12th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 110.2 (10.2% lower than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in New York
As you would expect, the highest RN salaries New York employers offer are in the New York City metro area. These salaries are also well above the U.S. average in the other highest-paying cities in New York, all of which have a higher cost of living.
Kingston, which is almost 100 miles north of New York City, is known for its historical buildings and lively arts scene. Watertown - Fort Drum is near Lake Ontario, and much of the population has a connection to the Fort Drum military base. Rochester is known for world-class universities and its many technology firms, and Glens Falls is the home of many major medical device makers.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| New York — Newark — Jersey City, NY — NJ — PA | $141,010 |
| Kingston, NY | $123,660 |
| Watertown — Fort Drum, NY | $117,710 |
| Rochester, NY | $117,160 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $117,000 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in New York
If you are a nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse (LPN), earning an ADN or BSN and becoming an RN could roughly double your salary. If you are an RN and looking to earn more or have more professional autonomy, you can invest in graduate school.
Earning a master's degree in nursing (MSN) will prepare you to become a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner, and earning a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree will prepare you to become a nurse anesthetist.
- Nursing Assistants: $40,680
- LPN/LVNs: $53,750
- Nurse Midwives: $126,170
- Nurse Practitioners: $133,940
- Nurse Anesthetists: $225,180
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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