Registered Nurse Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$94,000
national median salary
$79,000 to $108,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $97,550 for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) across the United States, based on 3,379,720 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$68,940
25th percentile
$80,330
Median
$97,550
75th percentile
$112,350
90th percentile
$137,470
Workers surveyed
3,379,720
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$93,600
May 2025 release
$97,550
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) rather than Registered Nursespecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1141Highest Paying
$131,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$98,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$73,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-1141. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Registered Nurse salary in the United States at $94,000 in 2026, within a range of $79,000 to $108,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $131,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Specialty certification, geographic location, and facility type create the widest salary ranges.
Registered Nurse salary by city.
Skills that increase Registered Nurse pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Registered Nurses based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $13,160 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$13,160 per year
≈ +$12,220 per year
≈ +$11,280 per year
≈ +$10,340 per year
≈ +$10,340 per year
≈ +$9,400 per year
≈ +$9,400 per year
≈ +$8,460 per year
What you should know.
Specialty certification, geographic location, and facility type create the widest salary ranges. ICU, OR, and emergency nurses earn premiums over med surg nurses. Travel nursing contracts can pay 50 to 100% more than permanent positions. Union representation and shift differentials for nights and weekends also impact total pay.
New graduate RNs start at $58,000 to $72,000, with experienced RNs reaching $80,000 to $100,000 after five years. Nurse practitioners earn $110,000 to $140,000, and CRNAs (nurse anesthetists) can earn $180,000 to $220,000. Nursing management roles offer $95,000 to $140,000 with administrative responsibilities.
Benefits are a major component, typically including health insurance, pension or 403(b) matching, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education credits. Shift differentials add $3 to $8 per hour for nights and weekends. Signing bonuses of $5,000 to $20,000 are common in high demand specialties.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Registered Nurses typically earn $85,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Registered Nurse pay.
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