Registered Nurse Salary Guide 2026 — Complete RN Pay Data

The average registered nurse salary in the United States is approximately $89,000/year ($42.80/hr) in 2026. But that average conceals a $62,000 range — from $62,000 in Mississippi to over $124,000 in California. This guide breaks down RN pay by state, specialty, experience, and care setting so you know exactly what you should be earning.

RN Salary by State (2026)

Geography is the single biggest driver of RN pay. California nurses earn 2× what Mississippi nurses earn. Below are the top-paying states alongside national average benchmarks.

RN Salary by Specialty (2026)

Specialty is the second-biggest lever. An ICU nurse earns roughly $18,000 more than a med-surg nurse. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CRNAs, CNMs) earn $30,000–$125,000 more than bedside RNs.

RN Salary by Experience Level

Experience adds roughly $1,500–$3,000/year in most health systems through step increases. The biggest jumps happen at the 5-year mark (specialty eligibility) and 10-year mark (charge/lead roles).

RN Salary by Care Setting

Hospital nurses typically earn the most. Outpatient, school nursing, and home health tend to pay less but offer better hours and lower physical demand.

• Hospital (acute care): $85,000–$124,000
• Ambulatory / outpatient clinic: $72,000–$90,000
• Long-term care / SNF: $68,000–$82,000
• Home health: $66,000–$80,000
• School nursing: $58,000–$74,000
• Telehealth / case management: $78,000–$95,000

Travel Nursing vs. Staff RN Pay

Travel nurses typically earn 20–40% more than staff nurses in the same market. Weekly packages in high-demand states average $2,800–$3,600 including tax-free stipends. The trade-off is housing instability and no guaranteed benefits continuity.

How to Increase Your RN Salary

The most effective salary levers for registered nurses, ranked by ROI:

1. Relocate to a higher-paying state — Moving from Florida ($76K avg) to California ($124K avg) adds $48,000/year. Even moving from a low-pay state to Washington or Oregon adds $20,000+.
2. Advance to BSN — Worth $6,000–$10,000/year at most health systems. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement. Compare ADN vs BSN pay →
3. Earn a specialty certification — CCRN, CEN, CNOR, or CMSRN adds $4,000–$12,000 at most facilities. [AFFILIATE_LINK_CERTIFICATION]
4. Switch to a higher-acuity unit — Moving from med-surg to ICU or OR typically adds $15,000–$20,000/year.
5. Become a Nurse Practitioner — NPs average $126,000, a $37,000 premium over the average RN. How to become an NP →