Registered Nurses Salary (2025)
Based on 3,379,720 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $68,940 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $80,330 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $97,550 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $112,350 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $137,470 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$69K
25th
$80K
Median
$98K
75th
$112K
90th
$137K
Highest Paying States for Registered Nurses
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| California | $150,280 |
| Hawaii | $124,340 |
| Oregon | $123,140 |
| Washington | $121,540 |
| Massachusetts | $117,960 |
| Alaska | $114,870 |
| New York | $113,440 |
| New Jersey | $110,100 |
| District of Columbia | $106,980 |
| Nevada | $105,710 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Registered Nurses salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is California at an average of $150,280 per year, while Nevada has an average of $105,710 — a difference of $44,570. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Registered Nurses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3,379,720 workers were employed as Registered Nursess in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. The annual mean wage of $101,420 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 29-1141