Registered Nurse salary in the United States
National median pay
$97,550/year
about $46.90 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $80,330 – $112,350
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| 25th | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Median (50th) | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| 75th | $112,350 | $54.01 |
| 90th (top earners) | $137,470 | $66.09 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($216,740). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($82,370).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $165,050 – $223,510 |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $137,120 – $215,630 |
| Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $131,830 – $198,580 |
| San Diego, CA | $139,520 | $128,380 – $169,920 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $135,560 | $112,070 – $167,800 |
| Portland, OR | $130,310 | $108,280 – $136,460 |
| Seattle, WA | $128,260 | $104,540 – $136,780 |
| New York, NY | $119,720 | $103,970 – $133,230 |
| Boston, MA | $106,180 | $94,870 – $153,380 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $103,940 | $88,680 – $124,000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $103,040 | $94,170 – $123,900 |
| Washington, DC | $102,710 | $84,610 – $119,620 |
| Dallas, TX | $101,420 | $81,640 – $110,630 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $101,180 | $90,190 – $112,970 |
| Denver, CO | $101,130 | $85,390 – $109,760 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100,830 | $82,320 – $108,840 |
| Chicago, IL | $100,490 | $82,640 – $108,430 |
| Atlanta, GA | $100,490 | $82,500 – $108,680 |
| Houston, TX | $99,830 | $81,890 – $116,000 |
| Baltimore, MD | $99,550 | $83,690 – $108,030 |
| Austin, TX | $97,890 | $81,540 – $106,450 |
| Detroit, MI | $97,280 | $82,470 – $104,150 |
| San Antonio, TX | $94,370 | $78,100 – $100,760 |
| Miami, FL | $91,380 | $80,510 – $104,320 |
| Charlotte, NC | $90,620 | $81,160 – $103,660 |
| Tampa, FL | $85,470 | $79,250 – $102,180 |
| Nashville, TN | $84,040 | $81,630 – $103,550 |
| Orlando, FL | $83,550 | $78,410 – $100,240 |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,180 | $77,410 – $100,230 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,370 | $78,700 – $101,010 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for registered nurses, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $80,330 ($38.62/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $80,330 to $112,350 ($38.62 to $54.01/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $112,350 ($54.01/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.