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 over $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
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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 (temporarily excluding Colorado), the District of Columbia, 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?
51. Puerto Rico
Average RN Salary: $37,780
Average Hourly: $18.17
Number of RNs in Puerto Rico: 22,430
50. South Dakota
Average RN Salary: $69,510
Average Hourly: $33.42
Number of RNs in South Dakota: 14,500
48. Mississippi
Average RN Salary: $74,470
Average Hourly: $35.80
Number of RNs in Mississippi: 29,400
44. North Dakota
Average RN Salary: $78,260
Average Hourly: $37.62
Number of RNs in North Dakota: 11,000
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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
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
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.
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
40. South Carolina
Average RN Salary: $79,900
Average Hourly: $38.41
Number of RNs in South Carolina: 50,300
38. West Virginia
Average RN Salary: $79,990
Average Hourly: $38.46
Number of RNs in West Virginia: 21,740
31. North Carolina
Average RN Salary: $81,860
Average Hourly: $39.36
Number of RNs in North Carolina: 108,510
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
21. Pennsylvania
Average RN Salary: $87,610
Average Hourly: $42.12
Number of RNs in Pennsylvania: 146,840
20. New Mexico
Average RN Salary: $88,260
Average Hourly: $42.43
Number of RNs in New Mexico: 17,510
>> Related: Registered Nurse Salary in Texas
15. New Hampshire
Average RN Salary: $96,830
Average Hourly: $46.55
Number of RNs in New Hampshire: 16,580
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
13. Rhode Island
Average RN Salary: $99,960
Average Hourly: $48.06
Number of RNs in Rhode Island: 10,760
11. Connecticut
Average RN Salary: $101,590
Average Hourly: $48.84
Number of RNs in Connecticut: 39,020
10. Massachusetts
Average RN Salary: $101,970
Average Hourly: $49.03
Number of RNs in Massachusetts: 90,190
8. New Jersey
Average RN Salary: $102,730
Average Hourly: $49.39
Number of RNs in New Jersey: 95,150
7. District of Columbia
Average RN Salary: $104,550
Average Hourly: $50.27
Number of RNs in DC: 9,790
>> Show Me Online Nursing Programs
4. Washington
Average RN Salary: $112,180
Average Hourly: $53.93
Number of RNs in Washington: 64,690
1. California
Average RN Salary: $140,330
Average Hourly: $67.47
Number of RNs in California: 326,720
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2024
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
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
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
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.
How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in Each State?
Here is a table of the average registered nurse salary in all 50 states (temporarily excluding Colorado), the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico:
| State | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
| Alabama | $34.16 | $71,040 |
| Alaska | $53.22 | $110,690 |
| Arizona | $46.58 | $96,890 |
| Arkansas | $37.08 | $77,130 |
| California | $67.47 | $140,330 |
| Connecticut | $48.84 | $101,590 |
| Delaware | $44.53 | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $50.27 | $104,550 |
| Florida | $39.83 | $82,850 |
| Georgia | $41.61 | $86,560 |
| Hawaii | $65.54 | $136,320 |
| Idaho | $41.39 | $86,100 |
| Illinois | $41.54 | $86,410 |
| Indiana | $38.82 | $80,740 |
| Iowa | $37.00 | $76,960 |
| Kansas | $37.53 | $78,060 |
| Kentucky | $38.42 | $79,910 |
| Louisiana | $37.92 | $78,880 |
| Maine | $39.84 | $82,860 |
| Maryland | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Massachusetts | $49.03 | $101,970 |
| Michigan | $41.19 | $85,670 |
| Minnesota | $48.50 | $100,870 |
| Mississippi | $35.80 | $74,470 |
| Missouri | $38.35 | $79,770 |
| Montana | $39.21 | $81,560 |
| Nebraska | $38.95 | $81,020 |
| Nevada | $49.03 | $101,990 |
| New Hampshire | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| New Jersey | $49.39 | $102,730 |
| New Mexico | $42.43 | $88,260 |
| New York | $50.77 | $105,600 |
| North Carolina | $39.36 | $81,860 |
| North Dakota | $37.62 | $78,260 |
| Ohio | $39.06 | $81,250 |
| Oklahoma | $39.02 | $81,160 |
| Oregon | $59.61 | $123,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $42.12 | $87,610 |
| Puerto Rico | $18.17 | $37,780 |
| Rhode Island | $48.06 | $99,960 |
| South Carolina | $38.41 | $79,900 |
| South Dakota | $33.42 | $69,510 |
| Tennessee | $38.00 | $79,030 |
| Texas | $43.27 | $90,010 |
| Utah | $39.55 | $82,270 |
| Vermont | $40.94 | $85,150 |
| Virginia | $42.70 | $88,820 |
| Washington | $53.93 | $112,180 |
| West Virginia | $38.46 | $79,990 |
| Wisconsin | $41.38 | $86,070 |
| Wyoming | $39.32 | $81,790 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
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!
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!
Registered Nurse Salary FAQs
