Registered Nurse Salary in 2026: Pay Context by State and Role
Nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions in the US, with salaries that vary dramatically by state, specialty, experience, and employer. The median registered nurse earns $86,000–$92,000 per year nationally — but top earners in high-demand specialties and states can make $130,000 or more.
Use our Salary Calculator to convert any RN salary to hourly, weekly, and monthly rates. Or check your take-home pay after taxes.
Est. take-home (single filer, avg. state): ~$66,000/year or ~$2,538/bi-weekly
RN Salary by State: 2026 Planning View
State-by-state pay varies more for nurses than almost any other profession:
| State | Median Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $133,000 | $63.94 | 🥇 #1 |
| Hawaii | $113,000 | $54.33 | #2 |
| Oregon | $106,000 | $50.96 | #3 |
| Alaska | $105,000 | $50.48 | #4 |
| Washington | $102,000 | $49.04 | #5 |
| Massachusetts | $99,000 | $47.60 | #6 |
| New York | $97,000 | $46.63 | #7 |
| Nevada | $89,000 | $42.79 | #12 |
| Texas | $79,000 | $37.98 | #25 |
| Florida | $75,000 | $36.06 | #31 |
| Alabama | $64,000 | $30.77 | #48 |
| Mississippi | $61,000 | $29.33 | #50 |
* Source framing: latest available BLS RN wage context, read here as a 2026 planning view for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), not as a live quote for every hospital or contract.
⚠️ High pay ≠ high purchasing power. A California RN earning $133,000 pays up to 13.3% in state income tax and faces some of the highest housing costs in the US. A Texas RN earning $79,000 pays zero state income tax. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator to compare real net income across states.
RN Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range | Hourly Range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–2 years) | $58,000 – $72,000 | $27.88 – $34.62 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 years) | $72,000 – $95,000 | $34.62 – $45.67 |
| Experienced (8–15 years) | $90,000 – $115,000 | $43.27 – $55.29 |
| Senior (15+ years) | $105,000 – $140,000 | $50.48 – $67.31 |
* Experience bands are directional career-stage ranges built around public RN wage context. Hospital system, union coverage, specialty mix, and shift structure can move the actual band materially.
RN Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Median Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) | $230,000 | Highest-paid nursing role |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $134,000 | Requires MSN/DNP |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $105,000 | High demand post-pandemic |
| ER / Emergency Room RN | $98,000 | High acuity, shift differentials |
| OR / Surgical RN | $96,000 | Specialized training required |
| Travel Nurse | $120,000 – $180,000 | Includes tax-free stipends |
| Med-Surg RN | $82,000 | Most common RN role |
| Pediatric RN | $85,000 | Children's hospitals |
| Psych / Mental Health RN | $80,000 | Growing demand |
| School Nurse | $58,000 | Lower pay, better hours |
* Specialty rows combine public nursing wage context with editorial market-band estimates. Use them to compare role shape and ceiling, not as a quoted pay schedule for a specific employer.
Travel Nurse Salary: The Premium Option
Travel nursing offers significantly higher pay than staff positions — typically $2,000–$3,500 per week in total compensation. This includes:
- Taxable hourly wages: $25–$40/hour (similar to staff RN rates)
- Tax-free housing stipend: $1,000–$2,000/week (if you maintain a tax home)
- Tax-free meal/incidental stipend: $200–$500/week
- Sign-on bonuses: $1,000–$5,000 per contract (13 weeks typical)
Annualized, experienced travel nurses earn $100,000–$180,000 — but at the cost of frequent relocation and less job stability.
* Travel-nurse figures assume contract-based compensation with stipends and can vary sharply by specialty, crisis demand, tax-home status, and contract timing.
RN Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Keep
Your gross RN salary is very different from your take-home pay. Here's a realistic breakdown for a California RN earning $105,000/year (single filer):
− $16,100 standard deduction = $88,900 taxable
− $14,270 federal income tax (est.)
− $8,033 FICA (7.65%)
− $9,187 California state tax (est.)
= ~$73,510 take-home (~$2,827/bi-weekly)
That's roughly a 30% combined tax burden before any pre-tax benefit elections. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator to see a more specific net-pay estimate for your state and filing status.
How to Increase Your RN Salary
Registered nurses have more leverage than most professions to increase earnings — through certifications, specialization, location, and employment type. Here are the most impactful strategies:
- Pursue specialty certifications: Board certification in your specialty (CCRN for critical care, CEN for emergency, ONC for oncology) typically adds $5,000–$15,000 to base salary and improves hiring prospects significantly.
- Advance your degree: Moving from an ADN to BSN adds $5,000–$10,000 on average. A Master's (MSN) opening paths to NP, CRNA, or CNS roles can double or triple your earnings ceiling.
- Travel nursing for premium pay: Temporary contract positions at high-need hospitals pay $2,000–$3,500/week including stipends. Even a 6-month stint can build substantial savings while gaining diverse clinical experience.
- Target high-paying states: California, Hawaii, and Oregon offer the highest RN wages — but factor in cost of living. Texas and Arizona offer strong wages with no or low state income tax.
- Shift differentials: Night, weekend, and holiday shifts often pay 10–25% premiums. For a nurse earning $85,000 base, consistently working nights could add $8,500–$21,000 annually.
- Per diem and PRN positions: Working as needed (per diem) typically pays 15–30% above staff rates — useful for supplementing income without full-time contract requirements.
RN Salary vs Other Healthcare Roles (2026)
| Role | Median Salary | Entry Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPN/LVN | ~$56,000 | $42,000 | $68,000 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | ~$89,000 | $65,000 | $115,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | ~$132,000 | $105,000 | $160,000 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | ~$120,000 | $95,000 | $145,000 |
| CRNA | ~$230,000 | $185,000 | $280,000 |