Nurse Salaries By State + the Highest Paying States For RNs
![Average Registered Nurse Salary by State](https://media.nurse.org/cache/0a/b1/0ab1391ed6619d7453d2d96724b9007a.jpg)
Wondering where you can make the most money as a nurse in 2024? 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
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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, Wahington D.C., and Puerto Rico registered nurse salaries to see where you can make the most as an RN.
52. Puerto Rico
Average RN Salary: $36,420
Average Hourly: $17.51
Number of RNs in Puerto Rico: 22,860
![](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2022/03/10/puerto-rico-in-pictures-beautiful-places-to-photograph-san-juan.jpg)
![](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2022/03/10/istockphoto-868611498-612x612.jpg)
50. South Dakota
Average RN Salary: $67,030
Average Hourly: $32.23
Number of RNs in South Dakota: 14,600
![Mount Rushmore in South Dakota](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/sout-dakota-rn-salary.jpg)
49. Mississippi
Average RN Salary: $69,370
Average Hourly: $33.35
Number of RNs in Mississippi: 28,910
![Mississippi River in Mississippi](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/mississippi-bls.jpg)
![Iowa City from the river at dusk](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/iowa-bls.jpg)
![Forest in Arkansas with town](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/arkansas-bls.jpg)
46. North Dakota
Average RN Salary: $74,930
Average Hourly: $36.03
Number of RNs in North Dakota: 10,350
![Famous badlands and mountains in North Dakota](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/north-dakota-bls.jpg)
![Festival in downtown Nashville Tennessee with fireworks](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/tennessee-bls.jpg)
![Famous state building in downtown New Orleans Louisiana](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/louisiana-bls.jpg)
![Busy public buildings and downtown in Kansas City](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/missouri-bls.jpg)
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![Louisville and river at night time](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/kentucky-bls.jpg)
![Small pond and park in Nebraska city](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/nebraska-bls.jpg)
39. South Carolina
Average RN Salary: $78,380
Average Hourly: $37.68
Number of RNs in South Carolina: 48,790
![Park view with waterfalls in river in South Carolina](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/south-carolina-bls.jpg)
![Downtown city park in Indianapolis Indiana](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/indiana-bls.jpg)
37. West Virginia
Average RN Salary: $78,730
Average Hourly: $37.85
Number of RNs in West Virginia: 20,860
![Trail and bridge going through a forest](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/west-virginia-bls.jpg)
![Monument at daytime in Oklahoma](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/oklahoma-bls.jpg)
![Beautiful mountain view with valley and lake in Montana](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/montana-bls.jpg)
34. North Carolina
Average RN Salary: $79,580
Average Hourly: $38.26
Number of RNs in North Carolina: 104,380
![Sweeping view of multiple North Carolina cities from the mountains](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/north-carolina-bls.jpg)
![Famous buttes and valleys in Utah state parks](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/utah-bls.jpg)
![Ohio River running through downtown Ohio city](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/ohio-bls.jpg)
![River going through valley at dusk in Wyoming](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/wyoming-bls.jpg)
![State legislature building in Boise Idaho](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/idaho-bls.jpg)
![Downtown city skyline in Florida on cloudy day](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/florida-bls.jpg)
![Atlantic Ocean coast in Maine](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/maine-bls.jpg)
![Downtown Detroit from across the Great Lakes](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/michigan-bls.jpg)
![Beautiful campus view in Vermont during the day](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/vermont-bls.jpg)
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![Chicago vista from the water in Illinois](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/illinois-bls.jpg)
24. Pennsylvania
Average RN Salary: $82,780
Average Hourly: $39.80
Number of RNs in Pennsylvania: 144,100
![Landmark in Pennsylvania with road going through it](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/pennsylvania-bls.jpg)
![Ariel shot of the state capitol building in Wisconsin](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/wisconsin-bls.jpg)
![Busy Atlanta Georgia with traffic at night time](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/georgia-bls.jpg)
21. New Mexico
Average RN Salary: $83,970
Average Hourly: $40.37
Number of RNs in New Mexico: 18,030
![New Mexico butte with wildlife and plants at base](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/new-mexico-bls.jpg)
![Trees overlooking lake in Virginia](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/virginia-bls.jpg)
![Downtown Houston Texas city skyline at night](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/texas-bls.jpg)
>> 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
![Small building in part of settlement in New Hampshire](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/new-hampshire-bls.jpg)
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![Downtown Denver on a hazy Colorado day](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/colorado-bls.jpg)
![Fun night life in Phoenix Arizona](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/arizona-bls.jpg)
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![An east coast dock in Maryland for pedestrians](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/maryland-bls.jpg)
![Overlooking water in Delaware with tree by the water](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/delaware-bls.jpg)
13. Rhode Island
Average RN Salary: $94,840
Average Hourly: $45.60
Number of RNs in Rhode Island: 11,350
![Old building facade in Rhode Island](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/rhode-island-bls.jpg)
![Ariel view of the Las Vegas strip in Nevada](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/nevada-bls.jpg)
![Busy traffic going in and out of downtown Minneapolis](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/minnesota-bls.jpg)
10. Massachusetts
Average RN Salary: $99,730
Average Hourly: $47.95
Number of RNs in Massachusetts: 87,320
![Downtown Boston during the spring](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/massachusetts-bls.jpg)
9. New Jersey
Average RN Salary: $100,160
Average Hourly: $48.15
Number of RNs in New Jersey: 82,950
![Street between ocean and businesses in New Jersey](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/new-jersey-bls.jpg)
8. Connecticut
Average RN Salary: $100,620
Average Hourly: $48.37
Number of RNs in Connecticut: 36,430
![Snowy state legislature building in Connecticut](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/connecticut-bls.jpg)
![New York from far off in the water](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/new-york-bls.jpg)
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6. District of Columbia
Average RN Salary: $105,220
Average Hourly: $50.59
Number of RNs in DC: 10,810
![Lincoln Memorial from over the water in DC](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/DC-bls.jpg)
![Two people sitting on frozen lake enjoying aurora borealis in Alaska](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/alaska-bls.jpg)
4. Washington
Average RN Salary: $107,720
Average Hourly: $51.79
Number of RNs in Washington: 65,030
![Space needle and downtown Seattle skyline](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/washington-bls.jpg)
![Waterfall splashing into forest lake in Oregon](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/oregon-bls.jpg)
![Sunset in Hawaii with city skyline of Honolulu](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/hawaii-bls.jpg)
1. California
Average RN Salary: $133,990
Average Hourly: $64.42
Number of RNs in California: 332,560
![Vast Los Angeles skyline at dusk with traffic flowing](https://media.nurse.org/images/blog/2017/10/09/california-bls.jpg)
*Extracted From BLS July 10, 2024
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
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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!