Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) employed 3,379,720 people in May 2025. The median pay is $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,940 and the highest-paid 10% more than $137,470. BLS projects its employment to change by +5.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 180,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010). Most jobs: California (338,940), Texas (271,380), Florida (229,940).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| 25th percentile | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Median | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Mean | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| 75th percentile | $112,350 | $54.01 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $137,470 | $66.09 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 3,465,400 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 3,660,100 |
| Change in jobs | 194,700 |
| Percent change | +5.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 180,800 |
| Self-employed share | 0.5% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 54,340 | 1.18 | $77,080 | $58,150 | $98,910 | -21% | 17% |
| Alaska | 7,510 | 1.06 | $109,480 | $85,030 | $149,070 | +12% | 16% |
| Arizona | 73,150 | 1.04 | $99,500 | $70,540 | $130,930 | +2% | 20% |
| Arkansas | 29,400 | 1.04 | $78,940 | $60,780 | $103,660 | -19% | 15% |
| California | 338,940 | 0.86 | $140,270 | $101,260 | $213,320 | +44% | 18% |
| Colorado | 54,490 | 0.87 | $100,260 | $79,500 | $124,940 | +3% | 22% |
| Connecticut | 40,110 | 1.09 | $102,740 | $80,350 | $134,870 | +5% | 18% |
| Delaware | 14,290 | 1.36 | $99,520 | $78,340 | $123,860 | +2% | 18% |
| District of Columbia | 11,440 | 0.75 | $102,540 | $79,390 | $151,170 | +5% | 23% |
| Florida | 229,940 | 1.07 | $84,190 | $67,970 | $120,330 | -14% | 26% |
| Georgia | 100,950 | 0.95 | $93,550 | $68,920 | $128,640 | -4% | 19% |
| Hawaii | 12,940 | 0.95 | $136,320 | $82,500 | $147,830 | +40% | 17% |
| Idaho | 16,880 | 0.91 | $92,460 | $71,210 | $121,230 | -5% | 18% |
| Illinois | 138,910 | 1.05 | $95,990 | $69,170 | $118,190 | -2% | 17% |
| Indiana | 68,980 | 0.99 | $83,500 | $66,750 | $105,750 | -14% | 16% |
| Iowa | 34,420 | 1.02 | $78,630 | $63,840 | $100,500 | -19% | 15% |
| Kansas | 33,800 | 1.08 | $79,320 | $63,180 | $100,840 | -19% | 16% |
| Kentucky | 50,300 | 1.16 | $81,040 | $64,170 | $111,750 | -17% | 15% |
| Louisiana | 48,970 | 1.16 | $80,230 | $63,800 | $104,740 | -18% | 16% |
| Maine | 16,540 | 1.19 | $86,990 | $74,160 | $106,950 | -11% | 17% |
| Maryland | 52,910 | 0.88 | $99,790 | $76,780 | $124,790 | +2% | 21% |
| Massachusetts | 88,200 | 1.12 | $104,550 | $80,310 | $174,510 | +7% | 21% |
| Michigan | 104,950 | 1.10 | $94,300 | $77,260 | $116,710 | -3% | 15% |
| Minnesota | 70,110 | 1.09 | $101,510 | $79,960 | $132,430 | +4% | 15% |
| Mississippi | 29,060 | 1.15 | $77,090 | $60,610 | $100,350 | -21% | 15% |
| Missouri | 76,310 | 1.20 | $81,780 | $63,230 | $104,390 | -16% | 16% |
| Montana | 10,950 | 0.99 | $85,280 | $70,120 | $113,920 | -13% | 17% |
| Nebraska | 24,720 | 1.11 | $84,730 | $66,020 | $106,190 | -13% | 16% |
| Nevada | 27,070 | 0.80 | $103,670 | $79,500 | $133,270 | +6% | 20% |
| New Hampshire | 15,390 | 1.04 | $99,700 | $75,610 | $123,190 | +2% | 19% |
| New Jersey | 92,680 | 0.99 | $106,500 | $83,060 | $135,170 | +9% | 20% |
| New Mexico | 17,980 | 0.95 | $94,340 | $74,300 | $123,540 | -3% | 14% |
| New York | 205,810 | 0.98 | $109,440 | $79,760 | $157,090 | +12% | 18% |
| North Carolina | 111,120 | 1.03 | $84,350 | $67,660 | $110,220 | -14% | 19% |
| North Dakota | 11,340 | 1.21 | $80,730 | $65,520 | $103,480 | -17% | 15% |
| Ohio | 143,730 | 1.19 | $82,510 | $66,980 | $105,290 | -15% | 16% |
| Oklahoma | 38,270 | 1.03 | $82,920 | $60,530 | $106,390 | -15% | 15% |
| Oregon | 39,730 | 0.93 | $129,010 | $95,280 | $155,010 | +32% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 146,520 | 1.11 | $96,430 | $70,800 | $117,900 | -1% | 16% |
| Rhode Island | 10,090 | 0.93 | $100,640 | $77,410 | $129,840 | +3% | 17% |
| South Carolina | 49,750 | 0.99 | $82,360 | $66,860 | $106,520 | -16% | 19% |
| South Dakota | 14,710 | 1.48 | $78,060 | $54,040 | $98,220 | -20% | 15% |
| Tennessee | 72,200 | 1.01 | $81,500 | $63,970 | $104,920 | -16% | 19% |
| Texas | 271,380 | 0.89 | $95,970 | $67,120 | $127,950 | -2% | 18% |
| Utah | 27,420 | 0.73 | $84,600 | $68,920 | $109,050 | -13% | 23% |
| Vermont | 7,410 | 1.12 | $97,460 | $77,670 | $126,100 | -0% | 16% |
| Virginia | 77,490 | 0.87 | $93,600 | $67,830 | $125,580 | -4% | 21% |
| Washington | 69,260 | 0.90 | $124,200 | $89,630 | $161,910 | +27% | 18% |
| West Virginia | 23,430 | 1.54 | $80,130 | $57,210 | $131,760 | -18% | 13% |
| Wisconsin | 68,060 | 1.06 | $95,530 | $77,470 | $119,860 | -2% | 14% |
| Wyoming | 5,330 | 0.87 | $83,760 | $65,770 | $107,350 | -14% | 14% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 22,930 | $216,740 | $124,140 | $235,190 | 0.93 |
| Vallejo, CA | 4,120 | $203,290 | $122,140 | $218,590 | 1.32 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 41,750 | $186,610 | $119,290 | $223,770 | 0.81 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 3,720 | $174,550 | $110,800 | $225,940 | 0.83 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 23,590 | $171,460 | $100,630 | $218,780 | 1.00 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 1,750 | $170,960 | $97,980 | $210,870 | 0.82 |
| Yuba City, CA | 1,080 | $149,320 | $98,270 | $178,300 | 0.97 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 1,270 | $144,350 | $89,710 | $145,730 | 0.79 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 28,680 | $139,520 | $102,480 | $175,210 | 0.86 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 9,680 | $139,260 | $82,390 | $151,320 | 1.00 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 2,180 | $138,820 | $100,560 | $199,540 | 0.82 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 3,280 | $137,360 | $101,260 | $169,240 | 0.75 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 109,360 | $135,560 | $100,980 | $174,200 | 0.80 |
| Bend, OR | 2,500 | $135,010 | $93,660 | $158,530 | 1.06 |
| Salinas, CA | 3,180 | $134,910 | $102,300 | $176,990 | 0.79 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 5,460 | $134,580 | $101,390 | $212,700 | 0.87 |
| Redding, CA | 1,720 | $134,350 | $96,990 | $168,480 | 1.11 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 35,290 | $133,940 | $100,510 | $172,900 | 0.95 |
| Modesto, CA | 4,850 | $132,590 | $102,770 | $197,800 | 1.14 |
| Salem, OR | 4,010 | $131,750 | $101,180 | $157,970 | 0.98 |
| Merced, CA | 1,050 | $131,620 | $95,070 | $165,580 | 0.61 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 5,710 | $131,160 | $94,360 | $169,780 | 0.81 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 24,220 | $130,310 | $97,180 | $155,650 | 0.92 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 5,620 | $128,810 | $87,760 | $162,020 | 0.76 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 39,900 | $128,260 | $99,020 | $163,890 | 0.88 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 710 | $128,160 | $102,410 | $157,910 | 0.67 |
| Chico, CA | 2,170 | $127,360 | $103,400 | $160,170 | 1.28 |
| Medford, OR | 2,370 | $127,030 | $98,520 | $149,370 | 1.22 |
| Fresno, CA | 11,030 | $125,420 | $89,890 | $167,160 | 1.06 |
| Visalia, CA | 2,990 | $125,180 | $97,560 | $160,680 | 0.80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 2,250 | $125,020 | $83,300 | $151,610 | 0.79 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 197,740 | $119,720 | $87,180 | $159,240 | 0.96 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 810 | $116,970 | $85,230 | $147,870 | 1.44 |
| Anchorage, AK | 4,990 | $115,290 | $85,840 | $155,150 | 1.30 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 3,590 | $113,720 | $95,280 | $139,500 | 1.05 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 1,330 | $112,280 | $89,630 | $139,350 | 1.19 |
| Albany, OR | 580 | $111,920 | $92,130 | $138,850 | 0.56 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 6,850 | $111,750 | $82,560 | $148,130 | 1.23 |
| Reno, NV | 4,850 | $107,520 | $80,380 | $132,520 | 0.81 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 1,410 | $107,220 | $84,240 | $157,870 | 0.69 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 1,190 | $106,730 | $85,030 | $135,510 | 1.04 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 540 | $106,710 | $91,770 | $133,910 | 0.82 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 2,560 | $106,410 | $83,900 | $155,410 | 0.91 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 64,240 | $106,180 | $81,880 | $188,670 | 1.09 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 8,370 | $105,660 | $83,030 | $141,330 | 0.95 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 2,910 | $105,290 | $80,030 | $114,920 | 1.29 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | 1,510 | $104,980 | $78,570 | $139,150 | 0.96 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 1,230 | $104,950 | $74,000 | $135,520 | 1.00 |
| New Haven, CT | 10,050 | $104,490 | $81,770 | $144,980 | 1.64 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 1,030 | $104,000 | $66,380 | $118,650 | 0.95 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 20,410 | $103,940 | $79,030 | $133,270 | 0.83 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 10,980 | $103,450 | $82,680 | $135,330 | 2.30 |
| El Centro, CA | 950 | $103,450 | $84,500 | $150,990 | 0.67 |
| Mankato, MN | 1,570 | $103,400 | $82,880 | $127,510 | 1.29 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 1,860 | $103,380 | $80,140 | $155,570 | 0.91 |
| Vineland, NJ | 1,590 | $103,380 | $82,910 | $123,590 | 1.18 |
| Boulder, CO | 3,140 | $103,290 | $84,530 | $128,260 | 0.75 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 43,600 | $103,040 | $82,180 | $133,450 | 1.03 |
| Yakima, WA | 1,610 | $102,950 | $80,740 | $156,830 | 0.76 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 5,760 | $102,890 | $68,330 | $125,080 | 0.99 |
The median is $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $68,940 and the highest-paid tenth over $137,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
3,379,720 in May 2025, and BLS projects +5.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
California, with a median of $140,270 (among states with published figures).