Highest Paying States for Registered Nurses
Registered nurse compensation across the U.S. displays significant variation depending on the state. Nationwide, the typical registered nurse earns $82,750, and the median is $77,600. As per the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average RN salary is between $124,000 and $60,540. This disparity suggests that nurses might benefit financially from relocating to higher-paying states, though this could be offset by regional cost of living differences. Understanding which states offer the highest pay, both in raw numbers and adjusted for living costs, is crucial. Topics covered here include: the top-paying states for nurses, salaries adjusted for living costs, and RN pay across all 50 states. Hawaii at $106,530 and Oregon at $98,630. Washington, D.C., although not a state, also pays well with an average of $98,540. Top 10 states for RN pay include: 1. California- $124,000, 2. Hawaii - $106,530, 3. Oregon - $98,630, 4. D.C. - $98,540, 5. Alaska - $97,230, 6. Massachusetts - $96,630, 7. Washington - $95,350, 8. New York - $93,320, 9. New Jersey - $89,690, 10. Connecticut - $88,800. Top nursing jobs include: Nurse Practitioner in Lexington, NC ($84,000-$124,000), and Registered Nurse roles in cardiovascular, OB/GYN, and first assistant positions across various cities. Considering cost-of-living adjustments, Hawaii has a high index at 119.3, while Mississippi is the lowest at 87.8. Adjusting salaries for these factors, Hawaii's $106,530 becomes $89,296, and Mississippi's $63,130 becomes $71,902, narrowing the salary gap. Although California remains the top payer when adjusted, its figure drops to $106,529. Next are Oregon ($96,131) and Alaska ($92,512) when adjusted. Each state's RN salary varies due to numerous factors. Personal circumstances and lifestyle preferences might also influence which state is ideal for employment. Average RN salaries can be found through maps or lists for comparison. U.S. nurse salary FAQs include average RN salary in 2024 at $82,750, highest RN salary in California at $124,000, and highest-paid nursing profession being Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists at over $200,000. Cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and Los Angeles offer top pay for nurses. Community questions cover topics such as negotiating salary and expected pay for experienced RNs in North Carolina.
