🏥 Registered Nurse (RN) Salary 2026
Registered nurses earn a median salary of $81,220/year ($39.05/hour) nationally in 2026, according to BLS data. But pay varies enormously by state, specialty, and experience — from $58,000 for new graduates in rural areas to $130,000+ for experienced RNs in California or Alaska. This guide covers every level of nursing pay, after-tax take-home, and the best states for nursing salaries.
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Pay varies significantly by years of experience. Here is the full range from entry-level to senior positions:
| Entry-level (0–2 years) | $58,000/year · $27.88/hour |
| Mid-level (3–5 years) | $72,000/year · $34.62/hour |
| Experienced (6–10 years) | $95,000/year · $45.67/hour |
| Senior / specialized (10+ years) | $130,000/year · $62.50/hour |
| Median (all levels) | $81,220/year · $39.05/hour |
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary After Tax
At the median salary of $81,220/year, a single filer in a no-state-tax state takes home approximately $65,524/year ($5,460/month) after federal income tax and FICA.
| Entry-level ($58,000/yr) | $48,642/year · $4,054/month |
| Mid-level ($72,000/yr) | $59,038/year · $4,920/month |
| Senior ($95,000/yr) | $75,218/year · $6,268/month |
| Median ($81,220/yr) | $65,524/year · $5,460/month |
Registered Nurse (RN) Salary by State (2026)
Location is one of the biggest factors in registered nurse (rn) pay. Here are median salaries in key states:
| California | $124,000/year · $59.62/hour |
| Hawaii | $113,000/year · $54.33/hour |
| Oregon | $106,000/year · $50.96/hour |
| Alaska | $102,000/year · $49.04/hour |
| Washington | $99,000/year · $47.60/hour |
| Massachusetts | $96,000/year · $46.15/hour |
| New York | $93,000/year · $44.71/hour |
| Nevada | $87,000/year · $41.83/hour |
| Texas | $74,000/year · $35.58/hour |
| Florida | $70,000/year · $33.65/hour |
| Georgia | $68,000/year · $32.69/hour |
| Ohio | $65,000/year · $31.25/hour |
Job Outlook & Growth
The BLS projects registered nursing jobs to grow 6% from 2022–2032, adding approximately 177,400 positions. Demand is driven by an aging population, increased chronic disease prevalence, and retiring Baby Boomer nurses. Job security is among the strongest of any profession — RN unemployment rates consistently run below 2%.
Education & Qualifications
Registered nurses require either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, 2 years) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, 4 years). BSN-prepared nurses earn 10–15% more on average and have better advancement prospects. Nurse practitioners (NPs) require a Master's degree and earn a median of $124,000/year. LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) require a 1-year diploma and earn a median of $54,000/year.
RN vs LPN vs NP — Salary Comparison
| CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) | $38,000/year · $18.27/hour |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | $54,000/year · $25.96/hour |
| RN — ADN (Associate Degree) | $76,000/year · $36.54/hour |
| RN — BSN (Bachelor's Degree) | $84,000/year · $40.38/hour |
| NP (Nurse Practitioner, Master's) | $124,000/year · $59.62/hour |
| CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) | $214,000/year · $102.88/hour |