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Best States for Registered Nurses: Highest-paid Registered Nurses by State

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    Carter A
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Registered nurses play a vital role in providing compassionate care, advocating for patients, and collaborating with healthcare teams to promote wellness.

This article will explore the best states for registered nurses, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid registered nurses are in California, where they earn an average of $133,340 per year.
  • The lowest-paid registered nurses are in Guam, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for registered nurses is $81,167 per year.

1. California ($133,340)

California Registered Nurses in California earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in California is $133,340, which is +64% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$133,340
10th Percentile$84,700
25th Percentile$104,610
75th Percentile$161,780
90th Percentile$177,670

2. Hawaii ($113,220)

Hawaii Registered Nurses in Hawaii earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Hawaii is $113,220, which is +39% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$113,220
10th Percentile$76,640
25th Percentile$97,390
75th Percentile$136,070
90th Percentile$137,710

3. Oregon ($106,610)

Oregon Registered Nurses in Oregon earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Oregon is $106,610, which is +31% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$106,610
10th Percentile$81,470
25th Percentile$94,510
75th Percentile$120,060
90th Percentile$131,210

4. Massachusetts ($104,150)

Massachusetts Registered Nurses in Massachusetts earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Massachusetts is $104,150, which is +28% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$104,150
10th Percentile$67,480
25th Percentile$80,010
75th Percentile$129,610
90th Percentile$154,160

5. Alaska ($103,310)

Alaska Registered Nurses in Alaska earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Alaska is $103,310, which is +27% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$103,310
10th Percentile$80,950
25th Percentile$82,910
75th Percentile$120,110
90th Percentile$127,280

6. Washington ($101,670)

Washington Registered Nurses in Washington earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Washington is $101,670, which is +25% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$101,670
10th Percentile$77,460
25th Percentile$82,840
75th Percentile$118,640
90th Percentile$131,230

7. New York ($100,130)

New York Registered Nurses in New York earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in New York is $100,130, which is +23% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$100,130
10th Percentile$64,840
25th Percentile$80,600
75th Percentile$107,670
90th Percentile$132,950

8. District of Columbia ($98,230)

District of Columbia Registered Nurses in District of Columbia earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in District of Columbia is $98,230, which is +21% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$98,230
10th Percentile$66,260
25th Percentile$78,460
75th Percentile$105,980
90th Percentile$135,260

9. New Jersey ($96,670)

New Jersey Registered Nurses in New Jersey earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in New Jersey is $96,670, which is +19% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$96,670
10th Percentile$76,650
25th Percentile$82,180
75th Percentile$105,150
90th Percentile$118,150

10. Nevada ($96,310)

Nevada Registered Nurses in Nevada earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for registered nurses in Nevada is $96,310, which is +19% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$96,310
10th Percentile$74,200
25th Percentile$80,820
75th Percentile$104,720
90th Percentile$130,200

Conclusion

The highest-paid registered nurses are in California, where they earn an average of $133,340 per year. The lowest-paid registered nurses are in Guam, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for registered nurses is $81,167 per year and there are 3,094,940 jobs in the field.