RN Salary: How Much Money Does a Registered Nurse Make?
RN Salary-How much does a registered nurse (RN) make in income per year? Do registered nurses make good money? What is the hourly wage for nurses? These are questions that nursing students and aspiring nurses often ask. Nursing salary comparisons can alsobe an important tool to help nursing facilities determine an estimated starting salary for employees. RNsearn a competitive salary, but the income of a registered nurse depends on several factors including the following: location, type of specialization, industry,advanced certifications or degrees, and years of experience.
Registered Nurse Average Salary: Mean Salaries for RNs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics latest data (as of 2015), the average salary of a registered nursein theUnited States is$71,000. The average hourly wage of a registered nurse is $34.14. Keep in mind that these are only averages. A registered nurse may make more or less than these amounts based on location, experience, and other factors. In addition, the starting salaries for an RN may be much less than the average salary.
Here’s a video overview of salary data for registered nurses:
Starting Salaries for Registered Nurses: How Much Will a New RN Grad Earn?
The starting salary of a Registered Nursecan range fromaround $28,000-$50,000 per year, depending on location and job industry. The starting hourly wage of an RN can range from $16.50-26.00 per hour. This salary will increase over time as nurses gain experience, certifications, and specialize in a specific area. Registered nurses can also advance their career to management positions, in addition to regular annualraises offered by many employers.
Keep in mind that these figures can vary depending on the location. RNs in Tennessee, for example, may start at an hourly rate of $18-23, while an RN at a busy New York hospital may start at $26 or more. Certifications and experience also factor into the salary or wages. A new RN with a degree only and no experience will usually not make as much as an RN with years of experience and many certifications and an impressive portfolio. Here is a graph representing the average RNhourly wagesince 2009:
What Are the Highest Paying Jobs for Registered Nurses (by Industry)?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industries with the highest average salary for Registered Nursing included the following (as of 2014):
- Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers–$40.48 (hourly wage); $84,200 (salary)
- Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds–$39.44 (hourly wage); $82,030 (salary)
- Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)–$38.71 (hourly wage):$80,510 (salary)
- Management of Companies and Enterprises–$36.58 (hourly wage);$76,090 (salary)
- Oil and Gas Extraction–$36.34 (hourly wage);$75,590 (salary)
Registered Nurse Average Salaries and Wagesby State:
Registered nurse averagesalaries and hourly wagescan vary from state to state. Some states may offer a significantly higher salary compared to other states, however, keep in mind these states may also have a higher cost of living. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report the following states as the states with the highest average RN salaries (updated as of 2015):
| State | RN Average Hourly Wage | RN Average Salary | RN Median Wage |
| Puerto Rico | $16.51 | $34,350 | $15.45 |
| Virgin Islands | $22.91 | $47,650 | $23.47 |
| Guam | $25.70 | $53,450 | $25.15 |
| Iowa | $26.46 | $55,040 | $25.92 |
| South Dakota | $26.49 | $55,100 | $25.68 |
| Arkansas | $27.34 | $56,870 | $26.76 |
| Alabama | $27.35 | $56,890 | $26.70 |
| Mississippi | $27.39 | $56,980 | $26.74 |
| Kansas | $27.60 | $57,410 | $27.08 |
| Tennessee | $27.67 | $57,560 | $27.33 |
| West Virginia | $27.89 | $58,010 | $27.26 |
| Kentucky | $28.26 | $58,770 | $27.87 |
| North Dakota | $28.31 | $58,890 | $27.83 |
| Indiana | $28.32 | $58,910 | $27.83 |
| Nebraska | $28.35 | $58,970 | $27.87 |
| Oklahoma | $28.39 | $59,040 | $28.10 |
| Missouri | $28.44 | $59,150 | $27.77 |
| North Carolina | $29.07 | $60,460 | $28.34 |
| Utah | $29.33 | $61,000 | $28.69 |
| South Carolina | $29.38 | $61,110 | $28.53 |
| Idaho | $29.46 | $61,280 | $29.31 |
| Wyoming | $29.84 | $62,080 | $29.22 |
| Louisiana | $30.03 | $62,450 | $28.74 |
| Montana | $30.12 | $62,650 | $29.19 |
| Ohio | $30.19 | $62,800 | $29.46 |
| Georgia | $30.38 | $63,190 | $30.36 |
| Florida | $30.75 | $63,960 | $29.87 |
| Maine | $30.92 | $64,310 | $30.21 |
| Virginia | $31.41 | $65,340 | $30.60 |
| Vermont | $31.65 | $65,840 | $30.18 |
| New Mexico | $31.74 | $66,030 | $31.11 |
| Wisconsin | $31.94 | $66,440 | $31.32 |
| New Hampshire | $32.30 | $67,190 | $31.46 |
| Pennsylvania | $32.47 | $67,550 | $31.58 |
| Michigan | $32.54 | $67,690 | $31.65 |
| Illinois | $33.54 | $69,760 | $32.28 |
| Texas | $33.60 | $69,890 | $32.98 |
| Colorado | $33.65 | $69,990 | $32.95 |
| Delaware | $34.33 | $71,410 | $34.16 |
| Arizona | $34.51 | $71,790 | $34.38 |
| Minnesota | $34.77 | $72,310 | $34.68 |
| Maryland | $35.19 | $73,200 | $34.66 |
| Rhode Island | $36.74 | $76,410 | $36.68 |
| Connecticut | $37.18 | $77,330 | $36.76 |
| Washington | $37.56 | $78,130 | $37.03 |
| New York | $37.96 | $78,950 | $37.49 |
| District of Columbia | $38.25 | $79,560 | $38.28 |
| New Jersey | $38.38 | $79,840 | $38.09 |
| Nevada | $39.16 | $81,460 | $39.12 |
| Oregon | $40.29 | $83,800 | $40.96 |
| Alaska | $42.55 | $88,510 | $42.37 |
| Massachusetts | $42.62 | $88,650 | $40.36 |
| Hawaii | $43.33 | $90,130 | $44.37 |
| California | $48.68 | $101,260 | $48.27 |
References:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition,Registered Nurses,on the Internet at bls.gov.
FAQs
The best Nursing jobs can pay up to $400,000 per year.
Each position has different duties and functions. RNs are responsible for much of a patient's primary care, including educating them on health and wellbeing, managing disease, recommending alternate treatments, and providing emotional support.
What is the top salary for a RN? ›
The best Nursing jobs can pay up to $400,000 per year.
Each position has different duties and functions. RNs are responsible for much of a patient's primary care, including educating them on health and wellbeing, managing disease, recommending alternate treatments, and providing emotional support.
What are the wages and benefits of being a nurse? ›
Fast Facts About Registered Nurse Salaries
The average annual RN salary is $89,010 or $42.80 an hour. RN salaries increased by 15% over the last three years (2019 to 2022). The highest-paying states for RNs are California, Hawaii, and Oregon. 45% of nurses feel they are fairly compensated.
What is the average salary of a nurse in the US? ›
In the United States overall, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
How much would I make if I was a nurse? ›
A Nurse in your area makes on average $6,895 per month, or $202 (30.218%) more than the national average monthly salary of $6,693.
What state pay nurses the most? ›
The state with the highest annual wage is California, which has an average wage of $133,340 per year. Following behind California are Hawaii, with an average salary wage of $113,220, and Oregon at $106,610. The states with the lowest average wage are Alabama, Arkansas and South Dakota.
What a registered nurse does? ›
What Registered Nurses Do About this section. Registered nurses set up plans for patient care. Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Will I make enough money as a nurse? ›
Nurses, on average, tend to make enough money each year to live a "comfortable" life. A BestCollege analysis of national salary data and the cost of living in each state found that median salaries for registered nurses (RNs) are well above what it would take to make a comfortable living in the United States.
What are 3 benefits of being a nurse? ›
There are various career advantages to becoming a nurse, including high compensation, positive job outlook, advancement opportunities and specialization possibilities. If you're considering a career in nursing, it may be helpful to review a few of these advantages when making your decision.
What does a nurse do on a daily basis? ›
One of the most critical nursing duties is patient assessment, including the physical exam, checking vital signs, evaluating mental status, listening to heart and lung sounds and assessing pain. Nurses also collect lab samples — urine, blood, sputum — and report results such as blood analysis and x-rays.
Get Matched!
- Anesthesiologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs (tie) ...
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs (tie) ...
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #1 in Best-Paying Jobs (tie) ...
- Psychiatrist. #4 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Nurse Anesthetist. #5 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Pediatrician. #6 in Best-Paying Jobs. ...
- Orthodontist. ...
- IT Manager.
The most sought-after and lucrative career across the globe. In the United States, qualified nurses are required for diverse roles. It is beyond just bedside care. A nursing job in the USA provides a pathway to nursing leadership roles, advocacy, and further education.
How to be a nurse? ›
To become a registered nurse, obtaining a degree from an accredited institution is necessary. The specific degree and duration of the program will vary depending on your intended place of employment. The career path you're interested in pursuing will typically dictate the type of nursing degree you'll need.
How to become a nurse in usa? ›
Steps to Become a Registered Nurse
- Earn your Degree. In order to become a registered nurse, you will need to earn a degree from an accredited institution. ...
- Pass the NCLEX Exam. ...
- Obtain State Licensure. ...
- Seek Advanced Training (optional)
HOW TO MAKE SIX FIGURES AS A NURSE?
- Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ...
- Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) ...
- Become a Nurse Midwife. ...
- Advance in Nurse Leadership. ...
- Begin travel nursing assignment. ...
- Change Nursing specialties. ...
- Relocate to a higher paying state. ...
- Make sacrifices.
What is the highest level of nursing? The highest level of nursing is the chief nursing officer (CNO). CNOs have a graduate or doctoral nursing degree. They oversee all the nursing care in a hospital or healthcare facility.
Does Texas pay nurses well? ›
As of Apr 12, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Registered Nurse in Texas is $40.31 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $67.19 and as low as $6.94, the majority of Registered Nurse salaries currently range between $29.33 (25th percentile) to $46.59 (75th percentile) in Texas.
Where in California do nurses get paid the most? ›
The highest-paid registered nurses are in San Francisco, CA where the average salary is $147,413 for a registered nurse.
