Registered nurses are licensed medical practitioners who provide hands-on care to patients, working alongside physicians and other healthcare professionals in a variety of settings, from hospitals to medical offices.
The salary of a registered nurse depends on a number of factors, including the setting and state in which they work. In this guide, we’ll explore what registered nurses make compared to other nurses, how much registered nurses make on average, and how much registered nurses make by state.
How Much Does a Registered Nurse Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2024, registered nurses across the United States made an average annual salary of $94,600, and registered nurse hourly pay came out at $45.00 per hour. The following table shows how much registered nurses make compared to other nurses.
| Nurse Type | 2024 Annual Mean Salary |
| Registered nurses | $94,600 |
| Nursing assistants | $39,530 |
| Licensed practical nurses | $62,340 |
| Nurse practitioners | $129,210 |
| Nurse midwives | $128,790 |
| Nurse anesthetists | $239,200 |
Which State Pays Nurses the Most?
In the U.S., California stands out as the highest‐paying state for registered nurses. The annual mean salary for RNs there is about $148,330.
Even when factoring in California’s high cost of living, RN salaries remain significantly above the national average, making it one of the top states in terms of both raw pay and relative earning power.
Registered Nurse Salary by State
The following table breaks down how much registered nurses made by state in 2024, according to the BLS.
| State | 2024 Annual Mean Salary |
| Alabama | $74,970 |
| Alaska | $112,040 |
| Arizona | $95,230 |
| Arkansas | $77,720 |
| California | $148,330 |
| Colorado | $95,470 |
| Connecticut | $103,670 |
| Delaware | $95,450 |
| Florida | $88,200 |
| Georgia | $91,960 |
| Hawaii | $123,720 |
| Idaho | $89,770 |
| Illinois | $91,130 |
| Indiana | $85,850 |
| Iowa | $77,780 |
| Kansas | $79,430 |
| Kentucky | $83,900 |
| Louisiana | $84,110 |
| Maine | $87,440 |
| Maryland | $96,650 |
| Massachusetts | $112,610 |
| Michigan | $90,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,460 |
| Mississippi | $79,470 |
| Missouri | $81,950 |
| Montana | $88,480 |
| Nebraska | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $102,280 |
| New Hampshire | $94,620 |
| New Jersey | $106,990 |
| New Mexico | $94,360 |
| New York | $110,490 |
| North Carolina | $86,270 |
| North Dakota | $81,900 |
| Ohio | $86,110 |
| Oklahoma | $85,800 |
| Oregon | $120,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $90,830 |
| Rhode Island | $99,770 |
| South Carolina | $84,930 |
| South Dakota | $72,210 |
| Tennessee | $82,010 |
| Texas | $91,690 |
| Utah | $88,240 |
| Vermont | $92,710 |
| Virginia | $90,930 |
| Washington | $115,740 |
| West Virginia | $80,650 |
| Wisconsin | $90,450 |
| Wyoming | $88,020 |
To find registered nurse jobs in your area or for more information on registered nurses, including their duties and job outlook, please visit our registered nurses jobs page.