The 10th percentile for registered nurses nationally is $38,000, and the 90th percentile is $66,000. Most offers will fall somewhere in that range, though the national median of $68,940 suggests that a meaningful share of nurses earn above the 90th percentile figure. Use the median as your primary anchor and adjust upward based on specialty, experience, and location.
Registered nurse salary in the US (2026)
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Registered nurse salary in the US (2026)
The average registered nurse salary in the US is $101,420. The median of $68,940 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical registered nurse earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. State location and specialty area drive wide variation in registered nurse pay, so your offer strategy should account for where the role is based before you set a number.
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,379,720 employed registered nurses across the US.
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For most registered nurse hires, anchoring your offer between $46,000 and $66,000 covers the bulk of the market. The average of $101,420 sits well above the 90th percentile of $66,000, which means a small number of very high earners are pulling the mean upward — use the median of $68,940 rather than the average when setting your baseline offer.
Where you hire a registered nurse matters as much as the role itself, so build separate salary bands for each state rather than using a single national figure. California commands the highest median at $101,260, while Florida sits at the lower end of this group at $67,970. States like Texas, Virginia, and Georgia cluster near the national median of $68,940, making them more budget-predictable markets for registered nurse hiring.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in the US
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in the US?
What is the average registered nurse salary in the US?
The average registered nurse salary nationally is $101,420. That figure sits well above the median of $68,940, which means high earners in specialized or high-cost markets are pulling the average up. For most hiring decisions, the median is the more useful benchmark for setting a competitive offer.
What do the top-earning registered nurses make nationally?
The 90th percentile for registered nurses nationally is $66,000. The national average of $101,420 exceeds that figure, which tells you that a concentrated group of very high earners exists above the 90th percentile. When competing for senior registered nurse talent, expect to budget well above $66,000 to attract candidates at that level.
Which states pay the most for registered nurses?
California pays the most, with an average annual salary of $150,280 and a median of $101,260. Washington and Massachusetts follow, with averages of $121,540 and $117,960 respectively. If you are hiring in any of these states, plan for salary budgets that run well above the national median of $68,940.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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