In New York, registered nurses at the 90th percentile earn $157,090 per year. Reaching that level typically reflects a combination of specialized clinical expertise, years of experience, and roles in high-demand settings such as intensive care or surgical units. When budgeting for senior or specialized RN positions, plan for offers that approach or exceed that threshold.
Registered nurse salary in New York (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in New York is $113,440 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, which makes the median of $109,440 the more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. New York employs 205,810 registered nurses, and the $4,000 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in New York typically earn around $79,760, while senior specialists reach and exceed $157,090. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in New York, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $109,440 |
Average Annual Salary | $113,440 |
vs. National Average | 11.9% above the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 205,810 employed registered nurses across New York.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in New York
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $79,760 |
25th Percentile | $94,840 |
75th Percentile | $129,660 |
90th Percentile | $157,090 |
When setting an offer for a registered nurse in New York, the $94,840 to $129,660 band covering the 25th to 75th percentile represents the range where most competitive offers will land. Roles requiring specialized clinical experience or leadership responsibilities will push compensation toward or beyond the $157,090 mark at the 90th percentile.
Registered nurse salary by city in New York
City | Average Annual Salary |
New York City | $119,600 |
Buffalo | $98,560 |
Albany | $98,530 |
Rochester | $92,250 |
Syracuse | $89,850 |
Where you hire within New York will have a meaningful impact on your compensation budget for registered nurses. New York City averages $119,600 per year, compared to $89,850 in Syracuse, a difference of nearly $30,000 that you should factor into any multi-location hiring plan. Roles based outside the metro area may allow for lower base offers, but local market competition and cost of living still shape candidate expectations in each region.
How New York compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
New York | $113,440 | $109,440 |
California | $150,280 | $140,270 |
Massachusetts | $117,960 | $104,550 |
New Jersey | $110,100 | $106,500 |
Texas | $95,380 | $95,970 |
Pennsylvania | $94,020 | $96,430 |
Employers hiring registered nurses in New York face compensation expectations that sit above most neighboring states but well below California. New York's average of $113,440 is close to Massachusetts at $117,960 and New Jersey at $110,100, so candidates in the Northeast corridor will likely compare offers across those markets. Texas and Pennsylvania both average below $96,000, meaning New York employers should expect to pay a meaningful premium over those states when competing for mobile talent.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in New York
What is the highest pay for an RN?
How much does a new RN make in NY?
New RNs in New York typically land near the 10th percentile, which is $79,760 per year. The 25th percentile of $94,840 is a reasonable target for candidates with some clinical experience or a specialty certification. Setting your entry-level offer within that $79,760 to $94,840 range gives you room to reward experience without overextending your budget.
What is the average registered nurse salary in New York?
The average registered nurse salary in New York is $113,440 per year, with a median of $109,440. The $4,000 gap between those two figures reflects a segment of higher-compensated roles pulling the average above the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your initial offer to the $109,440 median will give you a more accurate read on market expectations.
How does New York compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
New York's average of $113,440 places it above Texas ($95,380), Pennsylvania ($94,020), and New Jersey ($110,100), but below Massachusetts ($117,960) and well below California ($150,280). For employers hiring in New York, this means compensation expectations are elevated relative to much of the country but remain more manageable than the West Coast market. Candidates relocating from California will likely expect a pay adjustment, while those coming from Texas or Pennsylvania may find New York offers competitive.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
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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