How much does a Registered Nurse make in 2026?
The national median Registered Nurse salary is $86,070 per year. Registered nurses provide direct patient care, administer treatments, and coordinate with doctors across hospitals, clinics, and home-health settings.
Registered Nurse salary by city
Median pay across 10 major US metros — sorted by highest to lowest. Click any city for a full breakdown.
| City | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $122,200 | View → |
| Seattle, WA | $111,900 | View → |
| New York, NY | $110,200 | View → |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,000 | View → |
| Austin, TX | $96,400 | View → |
| Denver, CO | $94,700 | View → |
| Chicago, IL | $91,200 | View → |
| Houston, TX | $89,500 | View → |
| Miami, FL | $85,200 | View → |
| Phoenix, AZ | $84,300 | View → |
What does a Registered Nurse do?
Registered nurses provide direct patient care, administer treatments, and coordinate with doctors across hospitals, clinics, and home-health settings.
- Administer medications
- Monitor patient vitals
- Document patient care
- Coordinate with physicians
- Educate patients on conditions
How to become a Registered Nurse
RNs typically hold either an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), plus state licensure via the NCLEX-RN exam.
Related job salaries
FAQ — Registered Nurse salary
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in the United States?+
The national median Registered Nurse salary is $86,070 per year, based on the latest BLS OEWS data (May 2024 BLS OEWS).
Which US city pays Registered Nurses the most?+
San Francisco, CA currently pays the highest at a median of $122,200/yr — roughly 42% above the national average. Adjust for cost of living before deciding to relocate.
How much does an entry-level Registered Nurse make?+
Entry-level Registered Nurses typically earn around $79,400 in top-paying metros and 64% of the median nationally.
How fast is the Registered Nurse job market growing?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average growth of +6% over the next 10 years.
Do I need a degree to be a Registered Nurse?+
RNs typically hold either an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), plus state licensure via the NCLEX-RN exam.
Are you being paid fairly?
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