Registered Nurse Salary by US State 2026

You’re working long shifts, juggling charting, families, meds, call lights, and the occasional “quick question” that turns into 25 minutes. Then you hear another nurse say they make $18 an hour more one state over, and suddenly your whole paycheck starts to feel suspicious.

If you’re a Registered Nurse in the US, your location can change your salary more than almost any other factor. Same license type, same patient load, same hard work, very different pay.

This guide breaks down Registered Nurse salary by US state for 2026, with realistic salary ranges, the states paying best, where cost of living bites hardest, and how to use this info if you’re job hunting, negotiating, traveling, or thinking about a move.

Registered Nurse salary in the US in 2026: the big picture#

In 2026, the average Registered Nurse salary in the US is expected to sit around $91,000 to $98,000 per year, depending on specialty, setting, shift, and location.

Hourly, that usually means about $44 to $47 per hour for staff RN roles. But that national average hides a huge spread.

Here’s the reality:

1. California RNs can clear $130k to $160k+
2. Some Southern states may sit closer to $68k to $82k
3. Union hospitals often pay more
4. Night shift, ICU, OR, ER, and labor and delivery can add serious money
5. Travel nursing still pays more in some shortage areas, but not like the wild 2020 to 2022 peaks

Large employers like Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Providence, CommonSpirit Health, UPMC, and Mass General Brigham continue to compete for experienced nurses.

But pay is not just about hospital brand. A $105k RN job in Boston may feel different from a $92k RN job in San Antonio once rent, taxes, parking, childcare, and commute time hit your checking account.

Registered Nurse salary by US state in 2026#

The numbers below are estimated 2026 annual salary ranges for full-time Registered Nurses. They reflect typical staff RN compensation across hospitals, outpatient systems, long-term care, public health, and specialty clinics.

Your exact number can vary a lot based on:

• Years of experience
• BSN vs ADN
• Specialty certification
• Union contract
• Shift differential
• Weekend differential
• Float pool status
• Rural vs metro location
• Hospital vs clinic vs home health
• Charge nurse or preceptor duties

2026 RN salary table by state

These are not “new grad only” numbers. They are broad ranges for working RNs, with experienced bedside nurses, specialty nurses, and high-demand metro areas pushing toward the upper end.

Highest-paying states for Registered Nurses in 2026#

If you’re chasing top pay, the West Coast still dominates.

1. California: $124k to $165k

California remains the monster RN pay state. Bay Area nurses at systems like Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Health, Stanford Health Care, Sutter Health, and Cedars-Sinai can see base pay and differentials that make nurses elsewhere squint at the screen.

A staff RN in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, or Los Angeles may earn well above $140k, especially with experience. Union contracts also help keep pay transparent.

The catch, of course, is cost of living. A $150k salary sounds amazing until you meet Bay Area rent, California taxes, and $19 smoothies.

2. Hawaii: $104k to $138k

Hawaii RN salaries are high because staffing is hard, the location is isolated, and healthcare costs are steep. Hospitals like The Queen’s Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii need nurses across acute care, outpatient, and specialty roles.

But again, costs matter. Housing, groceries, and transportation can eat up a paycheck fast.

3. Oregon: $102k to $134k

Oregon is strong for RN pay, especially around Portland, Salem, and Eugene. Large employers include OHSU, Providence, Legacy Health, and Kaiser Permanente Northwest.

Oregon also has a strong union presence in many facilities. That can mean clearer wage scales and better differentials.

4. Washington: $98k to $130k

Washington offers strong pay, especially in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Spokane. Systems like UW Medicine, Swedish, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, MultiCare, and Providence compete for experienced RNs.

Seattle rent is not gentle, but Washington has no state income tax. That helps your take-home pay more than people realize.

5. Massachusetts: $98k to $128k

Massachusetts nurses, especially in Boston, can earn strong wages at major systems like Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Boston Medical Center, Tufts Medicine, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Specialties like ICU, OR, oncology, NICU, and cardiac care can push compensation higher.

Lowest-paying states for Registered Nurses in 2026#

Lower-paying does not mean bad nursing jobs. It usually means local wage markets, hospital budgets, state funding, and cost of living are different.

Still, if you’re doing heavy bedside work, you should know where pay tends to lag.

Mississippi: $63k to $78k

Mississippi is often near the bottom for RN wages. Rural access hospitals and long-term care facilities may pay less than big urban hospitals.

That said, lower housing costs can make the salary go further than it would in New York or California.

Arkansas: $64k to $79k

Arkansas RN salaries are modest, though large employers around Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas may pay better. Systems like UAMS Health, Baptist Health, and Mercy are major names to watch.

If you specialize or take nights, your pay can move up meaningfully.

South Dakota: $65k to $82k

South Dakota nurses often see lower base pay, especially outside Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Large employers like Avera Health and Sanford Health can offer stable roles, but wage growth may depend heavily on specialty and shift.

Alabama: $66k to $82k

Alabama salaries are lower than the national average, though Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile may offer stronger options. Employers like UAB Medicine, Huntsville Hospital, and USA Health are worth checking.

West Virginia: $66k to $83k

West Virginia has many rural facilities and persistent staffing needs. Pay can be lower overall, but nurses willing to work critical access, behavioral health, or night shift may find better offers.

Best states for RN pay after cost of living#

This is where things get interesting.

A high salary is nice. But if your rent is $3,200, parking is $300, and childcare is basically a second mortgage, your “big salary” may not feel big.

Here are states that can offer a better balance of RN pay and everyday affordability.

Texas: $78k to $103k

Texas is one of the best states for nurses who want a solid paycheck without West Coast housing prices. Major employers include Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White Health, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, UT Southwestern, and HCA Healthcare.

Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio all have strong RN demand. Austin has become expensive, but Houston and San Antonio can still offer decent value.

Texas also has no state income tax, which helps.

Minnesota: $86k to $111k

Minnesota has solid RN pay, respected health systems, and a strong healthcare employment base. Think Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, M Health Fairview, HealthPartners, and Sanford Health.

The winters are not playing around, but pay versus cost of living can be attractive, especially outside the most expensive neighborhoods.

Ohio: $74k to $94k

Ohio does not look flashy on a salary table, but it has big hospital systems and more reasonable housing. Cleveland Clinic, OhioHealth, University Hospitals, Cincinnati Children’s, and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are major employers.

A nurse earning $88k in Columbus or Cleveland may have more breathing room than a nurse earning $115k in coastal markets.

Pennsylvania: $78k to $101k

Pennsylvania is a mixed bag, but it has a huge healthcare market. UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, and Temple Health employ thousands of nurses.

Philadelphia can be pricey in some areas, but many parts of Pennsylvania still offer good affordability.

North Carolina: $73k to $93k

North Carolina has lower average RN salaries than some states, but demand is strong around Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Asheville. Major employers include Duke Health, UNC Health, Atrium Health, Novant Health, and WakeMed.

The salary may not blow your mind, but cost of living can be reasonable depending on city and neighborhood.

RN salary by city: where the big paychecks usually are#

State averages are helpful, but city-level pay is where your job search gets real.

In most states, metro areas pay more than rural areas. But rural jobs can sometimes offer sign-on bonuses, housing support, or loan repayment.

High-paying RN metros in 2026

Here are some places where experienced RNs can see strong pay:

1. San Francisco Bay Area, CA: $140k to $180k+
2. San Jose, CA: $145k to $185k+
3. Sacramento, CA: $125k to $160k
4. Los Angeles, CA: $115k to $155k
5. Seattle, WA: $105k to $140k
6. Portland, OR: $105k to $140k
7. Boston, MA: $100k to $135k
8. New York City, NY: $100k to $140k
9. Honolulu, HI: $105k to $140k
10. Anchorage, AK: $100k to $130k

New York City deserves a quick warning. Yes, RN salaries can be strong at places like NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. But rent, taxes, subway costs, and general life expenses can hit hard.

What affects your RN salary most?#

If you want to increase your nursing income, “move to California” is one answer. But it is not the only answer, and it is not always realistic.

Here are the salary drivers that actually matter.

1. Experience level

New grad RNs usually start near the bottom of the range. Nurses with 5 to 10 years of experience often have more negotiating power.

A typical progression might look like this:

• New grad RN: $65k to $90k depending on state
• 3 to 5 years: $78k to $110k
• 5 to 10 years: $88k to $125k
• 10+ years: $95k to $145k+
• High-paying state plus specialty: $130k to $170k+

If you have charge nurse experience, preceptor experience, or specialty certifications, do not bury that on your resume. That is money.

2. Specialty

Some specialties consistently pay more because they require specific skills, higher acuity, or harder schedules.

Higher-paying RN specialties often include:

• ICU
• Emergency department
• Operating room
• PACU
• Cath lab
• Labor and delivery
• NICU
• Oncology
• Dialysis
• Interventional radiology
• Case management
• Informatics
• Float pool
• Home health with mileage and productivity pay

Cath lab and OR nurses can earn strong call pay. ICU and ER nurses often see higher demand. Informatics and case management may offer better work-life balance, though sometimes with lower ceiling than high-acuity hospital roles.

3. Shift differentials

Do not ignore differentials. They can add thousands per year.

Common differentials include:

• Nights: $3 to $10+ per hour
• Weekends: $2 to $8+ per hour
• Evening shift: $2 to $6+ per hour
• Charge nurse: $1 to $5+ per hour
• Float pool: $5 to $20+ per hour
• On-call: hourly standby plus call-back pay

A nurse earning $45 per hour on paper might actually average $52 to $58 per hour with nights, weekends, and charge shifts.

4. Union contracts

Union hospitals often have clear pay scales based on years of experience. That can help prevent the classic problem where a new hire makes almost as much as someone who has been there for six years.

Strong RN union states and regions include parts of:

• California
• Oregon
• Washington
• Minnesota
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois

Union does not automatically mean perfect. But transparent wage grids are useful when you’re comparing offers.

5. Employer type

Where you work matters.

Typical pay patterns look like this:

1. Major academic hospitals: Often higher pay, strong benefits, complex patients
2. Large health systems: Competitive wages, more internal mobility
3. Specialty hospitals: Good pay in certain areas
4. Outpatient clinics: Better hours, sometimes lower pay
5. Long-term care: Wide range, can pay well when staffing is tight
6. Home health: Can pay well, but check mileage, productivity, and documentation time
7. Government roles: Good benefits, slower hiring, stable schedules
8. Travel nursing: Higher potential, less stability

If a clinic role pays $12k less but gives you no weekends, no holidays, and predictable evenings with your kids, that may be worth it. Salary is not the only number.

Travel nurse salary in 2026#

Travel nursing is still alive, just more normal than it was during crisis rates.

In 2026, many travel RN contracts may land around:

• $1,900 to $2,600 per week in moderate-demand areas
• $2,700 to $3,500 per week in high-demand specialties or hard-to-staff locations
• $3,500+ per week for urgent needs, strikes, remote areas, or very specific skills

Specialties like OR, cath lab, ICU, ER, L&D, NICU, and dialysis may still command stronger rates.

But please look at the full package, not just the weekly headline.

Check:

• Taxable hourly rate
• Housing stipend
• Meal stipend
• Guaranteed hours
• Floating rules
• Cancelation policy
• Overtime rate
• Facility reputation
• Charting system
• License reimbursement
• Health insurance costs
• Travel reimbursement

A $3,000 weekly contract can become less exciting if housing costs $2,600 a month and the facility cancels shifts constantly.

New grad RN salary by state#

New grads are usually paid less than experienced RNs, but some states still start strong.

Typical 2026 new grad RN salary ranges:

Higher-paying new grad states

• California: $95k to $125k+
• Oregon: $85k to $105k
• Washington: $82k to $105k
• Massachusetts: $78k to $100k
• New York: $78k to $105k
• Hawaii: $82k to $105k
• Alaska: $82k to $105k

Moderate new grad states

• Texas: $68k to $84k
• Colorado: $70k to $86k
• Illinois: $68k to $84k
• Arizona: $68k to $84k
• Minnesota: $72k to $88k
• Pennsylvania: $66k to $82k
• Virginia: $66k to $82k

Lower new grad states

• Mississippi: $55k to $66k
• Arkansas: $56k to $68k
• Alabama: $57k to $69k
• South Dakota: $56k to $69k
• West Virginia: $58k to $70k

If you’re a new grad, your first job is partly about money and partly about training. A solid residency program at Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Duke Health, Kaiser Permanente, or NYU Langone can set you up for better roles later.

How to negotiate a Registered Nurse salary in 2026#

Nurses sometimes avoid negotiation because hospitals act like pay is fixed. Sometimes it is fixed, especially under union wage scales. But not always.

Even when base pay is set, other parts may be flexible.

Ask about these items before accepting

1. Sign-on bonus
2. Relocation assistance
3. Shift differential
4. Weekend differential
5. Float pool premium
6. Clinical ladder pay
7. Certification pay
8. Tuition reimbursement
9. Student loan repayment
10. PTO accrual
11. On-call pay
12. Parking or transit benefits
13. Scrub allowance
14. Schedule commitment
15. Guaranteed hours

You do not need to sound aggressive. Try this:

“Thank you, I’m excited about the offer. Based on my ICU experience, charge nurse background, and CCRN certification, is there room to review the hourly rate or add a sign-on or relocation package?”

Simple. Professional. Not weird.

Know your number before the interview

Before you talk to a recruiter, decide:

• Your ideal hourly rate
• Your minimum acceptable rate
• Your must-have schedule
• Your deal-breakers
• Your preferred unit
• Your commute limit
• Whether you’ll work nights
• Whether you’ll float

If you do not know your floor, you’re more likely to accept an offer that annoys you three paychecks later.

Best RN specialties for higher pay in 2026#

You can increase income without changing states by moving into a better-paid specialty.

High-income bedside and procedural specialties

1. CRNA path: Requires advanced practice education, but pay can exceed $200k
2. Cath lab RN: Strong call pay and procedural experience
3. OR RN: High demand, especially with robotics and specialty surgery
4. ICU RN: Strong base for travel and advanced roles
5. ER RN: High demand and shift opportunities
6. PACU RN: Often competitive pay with better flow than ICU
7. L&D RN: Harder to enter, but valuable once experienced
8. NICU RN: Specialty demand in larger hospitals
9. Dialysis RN: Stable demand, outpatient and acute options
10. Informatics RN: Tech-adjacent career path with growth potential

Certifications that may help your pay

Certifications do not always guarantee a raise, but they can help you qualify for better roles.

Common valuable RN certifications include:

• CCRN
• CEN
• CNOR
• RNC-OB
• RNC-NIC
• OCN
• PCCN
• CMSRN
• RN-BC
• CPHQ
• NI-BC

If your employer pays certification bonuses or clinical ladder increases, get the details in writing.

Should you move states for a higher RN salary?#

Maybe. But do the math like a tired adult with bills, not like a TikTok comment section.

Before moving, compare:

1. Gross salary
2. Take-home pay after taxes
3. Rent or mortgage
4. Health insurance premiums
5. Commute costs
6. Parking
7. Childcare
8. Union dues, if any
9. License transfer costs
10. Quality of life
11. Staffing ratios
12. Patient acuity
13. Family support nearby

A nurse moving from Mississippi to California may see a huge salary jump. But if they move from a paid-off house to a $3,000 apartment, the lifestyle change matters.

On the other hand, moving from Florida to Washington or Oregon could bring higher pay, stronger labor protections, and better long-term earnings. It depends on your situation.

Compact nursing license states and salary mobility#

The Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC, helps nurses work across participating states with one multistate license, if they meet eligibility requirements.

This can make it easier to take jobs in states like:

• Texas
• Florida
• Arizona
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Missouri
• Utah

Some high-paying states, like California and Oregon, are not currently compact states. That means you usually need separate state licensure.

If you want travel or remote triage roles, license planning matters. A compact license can open more doors faster.

Quick tips to increase your RN income this year#

If you want a better paycheck in 2026, start with practical moves.

Do these first

1. Pull salary data for your state and city.
2. Compare at least 5 hospital postings.
3. Ask trusted coworkers what differentials actually pay.
4. Update your resume with numbers and specialties.
5. Add charge, preceptor, and committee work.
6. List charting systems like Epic, Cerner, Meditech, or Athena.
7. Include certifications and renewal dates.
8. Apply externally even if you like your current job.
9. Ask about internal transfer pay bumps.
10. Consider float pool if you can handle variety.

Resume bullets that can help you get better offers

Instead of writing:

• “Provided patient care on med-surg unit.”

Write:

• “Managed care for 5 to 6 adult med-surg patients per shift, including post-op monitoring, IV medication administration, wound care, and discharge education.”

Instead of:

• “Worked in ICU.”

Write:

• “Provided critical care for ventilated and hemodynamically unstable patients in a 24-bed ICU, including titration of vasoactive drips, sedation management, and interdisciplinary rounds.”

Better detail makes you look more valuable. More value usually means better interviews and better offers.

Final thoughts: RN salary depends on location, but strategy matters too#

Registered Nurse salaries in 2026 vary wildly by state. California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Alaska, New York, and New Jersey are likely to stay near the top.

But the best paycheck is not always the biggest salary. It is the best mix of pay, cost of living, schedule, staffing, benefits, career growth, and your actual sanity.

If you’re underpaid, do not just complain in the break room and hope payroll develops a conscience. Check your market, update your resume, compare offers, and ask for what you’re worth.

Before you apply to better RN jobs, run your resume through JobRise’s free ATS checker so your experience does not get missed by hospital screening software. Try it here: https://jobrise.io/en/free-ats-checker/