Registered Nurse Salary in 2026
Nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions in the US, with salaries that vary dramatically by state, specialty, experience, and employer. The median registered nurse earns $86,000–$92,000 per year nationally — but top earners in high-demand specialties and states can make $130,000 or more.
Use our Salary Calculator to convert any RN salary to hourly, weekly, and monthly rates. Or check your take-home pay after taxes.
Est. take-home (single filer, avg. state): ~$66,000/year or ~$2,538/bi-weekly
RN Salary by State (2026)
State-by-state pay varies more for nurses than almost any other profession:
| State | Median Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $133,000 | $63.94 | 🥇 #1 |
| Hawaii | $113,000 | $54.33 | #2 |
| Oregon | $106,000 | $50.96 | #3 |
| Alaska | $105,000 | $50.48 | #4 |
| Washington | $102,000 | $49.04 | #5 |
| Massachusetts | $99,000 | $47.60 | #6 |
| New York | $97,000 | $46.63 | #7 |
| Nevada | $89,000 | $42.79 | #12 |
| Texas | $79,000 | $37.98 | #25 |
| Florida | $75,000 | $36.06 | #31 |
| Alabama | $64,000 | $30.77 | #48 |
| Mississippi | $61,000 | $29.33 | #50 |
* Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025–2026. Figures are median annual wages for RNs (SOC 29-1141).
⚠️ High pay ≠ high purchasing power. A California RN earning $133,000 pays up to 13.3% in state income tax and faces some of the highest housing costs in the US. A Texas RN earning $79,000 pays zero state income tax. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator to compare real net income across states.
RN Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–2 years) | $58,000 – $72,000 | $27.88 – $34.62 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 years) | $72,000 – $95,000 | $34.62 – $45.67 |
| Experienced (8–15 years) | $90,000 – $115,000 | $43.27 – $55.29 |
| Senior (15+ years) | $105,000 – $140,000 | $50.48 – $67.31 |
RN Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Median Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) | $230,000 | Highest-paid nursing role |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $134,000 | Requires MSN/DNP |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $105,000 | High demand post-pandemic |
| ER / Emergency Room RN | $98,000 | High acuity, shift differentials |
| OR / Surgical RN | $96,000 | Specialized training required |
| Travel Nurse | $120,000 – $180,000 | Includes tax-free stipends |
| Med-Surg RN | $82,000 | Most common RN role |
| Pediatric RN | $85,000 | Children's hospitals |
| Psych / Mental Health RN | $80,000 | Growing demand |
| School Nurse | $58,000 | Lower pay, better hours |
Travel Nurse Salary: The Premium Option
Travel nursing offers significantly higher pay than staff positions — typically $2,000–$3,500 per week in total compensation. This includes:
- Taxable hourly wages: $25–$40/hour (similar to staff RN rates)
- Tax-free housing stipend: $1,000–$2,000/week (if you maintain a tax home)
- Tax-free meal/incidental stipend: $200–$500/week
- Sign-on bonuses: $1,000–$5,000 per contract (13 weeks typical)
Annualized, experienced travel nurses earn $100,000–$180,000 — but at the cost of frequent relocation and less job stability.
RN Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Keep
Your gross RN salary is very different from your take-home pay. Here's a realistic breakdown for a California RN earning $105,000/year (single filer):
− $16,100 standard deduction = $88,900 taxable
− $14,270 federal income tax (est.)
− $8,033 FICA (7.65%)
− $9,187 California state tax (est.)
= ~$73,510 take-home (~$2,827/bi-weekly)
That's roughly a 30% combined tax burden before any pre-tax benefit elections. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator to see your exact net pay for your state and filing status.
How to Increase Your RN Salary
Registered nurses have more leverage than most professions to increase earnings — through certifications, specialization, location, and employment type. Here are the most impactful strategies:
- Pursue specialty certifications: Board certification in your specialty (CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency, ONC for oncology) typically adds $5,000–$15,000 to base salary and improves hiring prospects significantly.
- Advance your degree: Moving from an ADN to BSN adds $5,000–$10,000 on average. A Master's (MSN) opening paths to NP, CRNA, or CNS roles can double or triple your earnings ceiling.
- Travel nursing for premium pay: Temporary contract positions at high-need hospitals pay $2,000–$3,500/week including stipends. Even a 6-month stint can build substantial savings while gaining diverse clinical experience.
- Target high-paying states: California, Hawaii, and Oregon offer the highest RN wages — but factor in cost of living. Texas and Arizona offer strong wages with no or low state income tax.
- Shift differentials: Night, weekend, and holiday shifts often pay 10–25% premiums. For a nurse earning $85,000 base, consistently working nights could add $8,500–$21,000 annually.
- Per diem and PRN positions: Working as needed (per diem) typically pays 15–30% above staff rates — useful for supplementing income without full-time contract requirements.
RN Salary vs Other Healthcare Roles (2026)
| Role | Median Salary | Entry Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPN/LVN | ~$56,000 | $42,000 | $68,000 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | ~$89,000 | $65,000 | $115,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | ~$132,000 | $105,000 | $160,000 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | ~$120,000 | $95,000 | $145,000 |
| CRNA | ~$230,000 | $185,000 | $280,000 |