Highest Paying Cities For Nurses

How Much do Registered Nurses Make in the US?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median nursing salary in the US in 2023 was $86,070 annually or $41.38 per hour. The top 10% of earners make over $132,680 annually, while the lowest 10% earn $63,720 or less.

Reaching the top 10% of nursing salaries depends on your employer, nursing specialty, experience, and location. Most of the best-paid nursing positions are in California because the state's high cost of living drives up average salaries. However, cities in several US states offer sizable salaries to RNs.

The Top 10 Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses

The BLS found that California is home to the best-paying cities for nurses. However, several US cities in other states offer comparable wages, especially when compared to the average cost of living.

The following ten cities pay nurses the highest wages. We've also included cost of living data based on the Numbeo Index to illustrate how affordable it is to be a nurse in each city. Keep in mind that monthly cost of living data does not include rent due to variations in housing costs.

1. San Fransisco, CA

Annual Nursing Salary: $181,240

Hourly Nursing Wage: $87.14

Cost of Living Index: 91.2

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,547.60

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $5,593.10

San Fransisco is among the highest-paid cities for nurses in the United States, second only to its smaller neighbor, Vellejo-Fairfield. While SF nurses enjoy higher wages, living in the Golden City isn't cheap. However, the metropolis offers several money-saving options other cities cannot match, including a sound public transit system, highly walkable neighborhoods, and robust cycling infrastructure. 

2. San Jose, CA

Annual Nursing Salary: $179,210

Hourly Nursing Wage: $86.16

Cost of Living Index: 89.1

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,538.50

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $5,505.20

San Jose is the “Capital of Silicon Valley" and the third largest city in California. Like San Fransisco, San Jose has an elevated living cost, producing high nursing salaries. The area offers moderately good public transportation, walking, and cycling infrastructure, which can help nurses pocket more of that hard-earned cash.

3. Boston, MA

Rich in American history and home to several medical and research facilities, Boston is a bastion for nurses. The city also boasts The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s, and other famous institutions. Nurses planning postgraduate studies may want to consider Boston because of the many opportunities available in the greater metro area, including Cambridge, the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

Additionally, Boston nurses earn exceptionally high salaries to offset the increased cost of living. Combined with the enriching city life and options for advanced education, working as a nurse in Boston is an excellent city to pursue your nursing career.

4. New York, NY

Annual Nursing Salary: $108,540

Hourly Nursing Wage: $52.18

Cost of Living Index: 100.0

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,633.80

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $6,048.00

A dream destination for many Americans, New York City is the 400-year-old home to 8.3 million people, and you could be one of them. The city that never sleeps has several opportunities at hospitals, healthcare facilities, clinicals, and more. Although the cost of living is relatively high, nurses can save on transportation costs using the robust subway system. You may also consider living in the surrounding boroughs (e.g., Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, or the Bronx) to slightly reduce your cost of living and pocket more money annually.

5. Baltimore, MD

Annual Nursing Salary: $89,310

Hourly Nursing Wage: $42.94

Cost of Living Index*: 81.7

Monthly Cost of Living (Single)*: $1,386.70

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four)*: $5,048.30

As Maryland's largest and fastest-growing city, Baltimore offers numerous nursing opportunities. The top employer in this metropolis is the famous Johns Hopkins Hospital, home to one of the best nursing schools in the US. Although the cost of living index is 81.7, the city is relatively affordable compared to major cities like New York or San Fransisco. Baltimore nurses also enjoy a robust city with no shortage of excitement, history, and events.

*Figures for nearby Washington D.C. due to lack of data on the greater Baltimore area

6. Phoenix, AZ

Annual Nursing Salary: $89,390

Hourly Nursing Wage: $42.97

Cost of Living Index: 65.1

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,145.10

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $4,004.00

Pheonix has one of the best cost-of-living-to-income ratios for nurses. Nurses in Phoenix earn a similar average salary to those in Baltimore or Portland but enjoy noticeably lower expenses. This balance gives nurses more spending and saving money, elevating their standard of living. Since Phoenix has a large retirement community, you can find the best-paying jobs in geriatric or hospice nursing.

7. Philadelphia, PA

Annual Nursing Salary: $96,710

Hourly Nursing Wage: $46.50

Cost of Living Index: 71.9

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,271.10

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $4,516.70

Dozens of large health systems make Philadelphia an ideal place for relocation. Home to one of the country's largest and most recognized children’s hospitals, pediatric nursing jobs are never in short supply. Philadelphia nurses enjoy high wages and low cost of living compared to other major US cities, making it an ideal place to grow your retirement fund.

8. Seattle, WA

Annual Nursing Salary: $109,700

Hourly Nursing Wage: $52.74

Cost of Living Index: 79.6

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,391.40

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $4,997.10

Home to the first Starbucks Coffee location and the iconic Space Needle, Seattle is among the highest-paying cities for registered nurses. Nurses in Seattle earn a salary comparable to that of East Coast cities like Boston and New York while enjoying a considerably lower cost of living. Additionally, Washington allows nurse practitioners full practice authority, increasing your career growth opportunities in the Emerald City.

9. Honolulu, HI

Annual Nursing Salary: $133,820

Hourly Nursing Wage: $64.34

Cost of Living Index: 88.0

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,511.80

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $5,358.00

Unlike other areas in the US, Honolulu is not suffering from the ongoing nursing shortage. The city has a higher nurse retention rate because of its desirable location and high nursing salaries. While these factors make getting a nursing job in Honolulu more challenging, you'll be pretty comfortable if you snag one. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a state-run healthcare system, is investing millions in new healthcare facilities over the next several years, creating more nursing positions.

10. Portland, OR

Annual Nursing Salary: $116,850

Hourly Nursing Wage: $56.18

Cost of Living Index: 73.1

Monthly Cost of Living (Single): $1,309.60

Monthly Cost of Living (Family of Four): $4,695.60

Portland is another Pacific Northwest paradise, offering numerous nursing opportunities and high wages. The cost-of-living-to-income balance provides Portland nurses with plenty of cash flow to live comfortably, save, and enjoy spending money. The city also has top facilities, like Providence Portland Medical Center, the OHSU hospital, and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.