Nurse Salaries By State + the Highest Paying States For RNs
Wondering where you can make the most money as a nurse in 2025? As it turns out, the average registered nurse salary varies widely from state to state. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the difference between the highest and lowest RN salaries is nearly $100,000 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Read on to find out the highest paying states for registered nurses and check out the average RN salary by state.
In This Article
- Average Registered Nurse Salary in the United States
- Average RN Salary by State Table
- Factors That Impact Registered Nurse Salary
- Other Considerations
- RN Salary FAQs
- Conclusion
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org
As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis.
✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.
✔ Transparent, trusted salary data sources from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), Payscale, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor. Learn more about our data sources.
✔ Consistent article updates to ensure they are as relevant and accurate as possible, utilizing the latest data and information when it becomes available.
Average Registered Nurse Salary in the United States
Many factors impact how much registered nurses make in each state. But how do they stack up against one another? We pulled the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank all 50 states, Wahington D.C., and Puerto Rico registered nurse salaries to see where you can make the most as an RN.
>> Related: What are the Highest-Paying Countries for Nurses?
52. Puerto Rico
Average RN Salary: $36,420
Average Hourly: $17.51
Number of RNs in Puerto Rico: 22,860
50. South Dakota
Average RN Salary: $67,030
Average Hourly: $32.23
Number of RNs in South Dakota: 14,600
49. Mississippi
Average RN Salary: $69,370
Average Hourly: $33.35
Number of RNs in Mississippi: 28,910
46. North Dakota
Average RN Salary: $74,930
Average Hourly: $36.03
Number of RNs in North Dakota: 10,350
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
39. South Carolina
Average RN Salary: $78,380
Average Hourly: $37.68
Number of RNs in South Carolina: 48,790
37. West Virginia
Average RN Salary: $78,730
Average Hourly: $37.85
Number of RNs in West Virginia: 20,860
34. North Carolina
Average RN Salary: $79,580
Average Hourly: $38.26
Number of RNs in North Carolina: 104,380
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
24. Pennsylvania
Average RN Salary: $82,780
Average Hourly: $39.80
Number of RNs in Pennsylvania: 144,100
21. New Mexico
Average RN Salary: $83,970
Average Hourly: $40.37
Number of RNs in New Mexico: 18,030
>> Related: Registered Nurse Salary in Texas
18. New Hampshire
Average RN Salary: $86,620
Average Hourly: $41.65
Number of RNs in New Hampshire: 14,380
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
13. Rhode Island
Average RN Salary: $94,840
Average Hourly: $45.60
Number of RNs in Rhode Island: 11,350
10. Massachusetts
Average RN Salary: $99,730
Average Hourly: $47.95
Number of RNs in Massachusetts: 87,320
9. New Jersey
Average RN Salary: $100,160
Average Hourly: $48.15
Number of RNs in New Jersey: 82,950
8. Connecticut
Average RN Salary: $100,620
Average Hourly: $48.37
Number of RNs in Connecticut: 36,430
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
6. District of Columbia
Average RN Salary: $105,220
Average Hourly: $50.59
Number of RNs in DC: 10,810
4. Washington
Average RN Salary: $107,720
Average Hourly: $51.79
Number of RNs in Washington: 65,030
1. California
Average RN Salary: $133,990
Average Hourly: $64.42
Number of RNs in California: 332,560
*Extracted From BLS July 10, 2024
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in Each State?
Here is a table of the average registered nurse salary in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico:
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Alaska | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Arizona | $88,310 | $42.46 |
| Arkansas | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| California | $133,990 | $64.42 |
| Colorado | $86,900 | $41.78 |
| Connecticut | $100,620 | $48.37 |
| Delaware | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| District of Columbia | $105,220 | $50.59 |
| Florida | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Georgia | $83,620 | $40.20 |
| Hawaii | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Idaho | $80,130 | $38.53 |
| Illinois | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Indiana | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Iowa | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Kansas | $75,780 | $36.43 |
| Kentucky | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Louisiana | $76,650 | $36.85 |
| Maine | $81,610 | $39.24 |
| Maryland | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| Massachusetts | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Michigan | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| Minnesota | $97,300 | $46.78 |
| Mississippi | $69,370 | $33.35 |
| Missouri | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Montana | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| Nebraska | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Nevada | $96,210 | $46.25 |
| New Hampshire | $86,620 | $41.65 |
| New Jersey | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| New Mexico | $83,970 | $40.37 |
| New York | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| North Carolina | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| North Dakota | $74,930 | $36.03 |
| Ohio | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| Oklahoma | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Oregon | $110,940 | $53.34 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Puerto Rico | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Rhode Island | $94,840 | $45.60 |
| South Carolina | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| South Dakota | $67,030 | $32.23 |
| Tennessee | $76,200 | $36.64 |
| Texas | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Utah | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| Vermont | $81,900 | $39.37 |
| Virginia | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Washington | $107,720 | $51.79 |
| West Virginia | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Wisconsin | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Wyoming | $79,970 | $38.45 |
*Extracted From BLS July 13, 2023
Registered Nurse Salary Factors
The salaries by state listed above represent an average across all types of nurses. So, depending on your specialty, place of work, level of experience, degree, and many other factors, you'll see variances in how much you can expect to earn. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind that can impact how much you make:
1. Types of Nurses
Salaries will vary widely depending on your specialty and the nursing job you work in.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) like nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives can all expect to earn higher salaries than a nurse without a graduate degree.
How you work also plays a big role in the annual salary you can expect to earn. Travel nurses and per diem nurses, for example, tend to earn far more than their traditional nurse counterparts.
2. Years of Experience
Registered nurses, at the start of their careers, will usually make less than nurses with more years of experience under their belts. As you improve your skills and progress in your career, you can expect to see your wages improve as well.
3. Degree Type
Nurses will typically see salary increases when they further their education. Nurses who have earned their Bachelor's degree (BSN) tend to earn more than nurses who have only earned their Associate's degree in Nursing (ADN). While a master's in nursing or a doctorate degree will usually earn nurses even higher salaries.
Other RN Salary Considerations
As a nurse, your salary shouldn't be the only thing you consider when deciding what field to go into or what job to take.
How far that salary will go will greatly depend on the cost of living in the area. Some of the highest-paying states also cost a lot to live in, meaning that 6 figure salary isn't going nearly as far as it would in a less expensive area. Your registered nurse salary in California might get you a comparable standard of living to a lower salary in Iowa.
You'll also want to look at things like the job benefits, the hours, the work-life balance, and what their training and education policies are like. Don't overlook your quality of life!
Registered Nurse Salary FAQs
The Takeaway
There are several things at play in the nursing salaries you can expect to earn. And even if you practice in a state with a lower RN salary average, there are always ways to increase your salary and reach your career goals. As you plan your career path, don't forget to keep all these factors in mind to set yourself up for success!
