Last Updated: April 2026
Average Nurse Salary 2026: Key Statistics by State & Specialty
The average RN salary in the US is approximately $89,000/year ($42.80/hr) in 2026, according to BLS OEWS data. That ranges from $62,000 in Mississippi to $124,000 in California — a $62,000 gap between the lowest and highest-paying states. CRNAs top the specialty rankings at $214,000/year. All key figures are compiled below, sourced from BLS OEWS and NurseSalaryIntel data.
Free to cite
These statistics are free to use in articles, reports, and research with attribution to NurseSalaryIntel.com. Primary source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025 release.
12 Key Nurse Salary Statistics (2026)
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average RN salary (national) | approximately $89,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Average RN hourly rate | $42.80 / hr | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Highest-paid state (California) | $124,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Lowest-paid state (Mississippi) | $62,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Pay gap: highest vs. lowest state | $62,000 (2×) | NurseSalaryIntel calc |
| Average CRNA salary | $214,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Average NP salary | $126,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Average travel nurse earnings | $95,000–$150,000 / year | NurseSalaryIntel data |
| BSN premium over ADN | +$6,000–$10,000 / year | NurseSalaryIntel analysis |
| NP premium over staff RN | +$37,000 / year | BLS OEWS 2025 |
| Projected RN job openings (2023–2033) | 177,400 / year | BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Nursing shortage (current shortfall) | ~100,000 RNs | AAMC / HRSA estimates |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Nurses (2026)
California leads the nation at $124,000/year. The top 10 states all pay above the national average of approximately $89,000 — most are coastal, unionized, or both.
RN Salary State Rankings — Top 10 + Bottom 3 (2026)
| Rank & State | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. California | $124,000 | $59.62/hr |
| 2. Hawaii | $106,000 | $50.96/hr |
| 3. Washington | $102,000 | $49.04/hr |
| 4. Oregon | $98,000 | $47.12/hr |
| 5. Alaska | $97,000 | $46.63/hr |
| 6. New York | $96,000 | $46.15/hr |
| 7. Massachusetts | $95,000 | $45.67/hr |
| 8. Connecticut | $93,000 | $44.71/hr |
| 9. New Jersey | $91,000 | $43.75/hr |
| 10. Maryland | $90,000 | $43.27/hr |
| ...National Average | $89,010 | $42.80/hr |
| 48. Alabama | $64,000 | $30.77/hr |
| 49. South Dakota | $63,000 | $30.29/hr |
| 50. Mississippi | $62,000 | $29.81/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025
Nursing Salary by Specialty — Top 10 (2026)
CRNAs are the highest-paid nurses at $214,000/year — nearly 2.5× the average bedside RN. The gap between a med-surg RN ($78,000) and a CRNA ($214,000) is $136,000/year.
Nursing Salary by Specialty — Ranked Highest to Lowest
| Rank & Specialty | Avg. Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. CRNA | $214,000 | Master's/DNP required |
| 2. Nurse Practitioner | $126,000 | MSN required |
| 3. Nurse Midwife | $118,000 | MSN required |
| 4. Clinical Nurse Specialist | $112,000 | MSN required |
| 5. OR / Surgical RN | $98,000 | Bedside RN |
| 6. ICU / Critical Care RN | $96,000 | Bedside RN |
| 7. ER RN | $92,000 | Bedside RN |
| 8. L&D RN | $90,000 | Bedside RN |
| 9. NICU RN | $89,000 | Bedside RN |
| 10. Med-Surg RN | $78,000 | Most common entry unit |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel data
Travel Nurse Pay by State (2026)
Travel nurses earn 20–40% more than staff nurses in the same market. Weekly all-in packages (base + tax-free stipends) range from $2,000 in low-demand markets to $3,800+ in California.
Travel Nurse Weekly Pay by State (2026)
| State / Market | Weekly All-In Package | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California (ICU/ER) | $3,200–$3,800/wk | Highest market |
| New York metro | $2,800–$3,400/wk | |
| Washington state | $2,600–$3,200/wk | |
| Texas | $2,200–$2,800/wk | |
| Florida | $2,000–$2,600/wk | |
| National average (all states) | $2,200–$2,800/wk | Base + stipends |
| Travel premium vs. staff RN | +20–40% | Same market comparison |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel data
Nurse Salary by Education Level
Every degree step adds meaningfully to lifetime earnings. The BSN pays for itself in under 2 years; the NP degree pays for itself in under 14 months of practice.
- CNA: $38,000/year avg ($18.27/hr)
- LPN/LVN: $55,000/year avg ($26.44/hr)
- ADN (RN): $78,000/year avg ($37.50/hr)
- BSN (RN): $86,000/year avg ($41.35/hr) — +$8,000 over ADN
- MSN / Nurse Practitioner: $126,000/year avg ($60.58/hr) — +$40,000 over BSN
- CRNA (DNP/MSN): $214,000/year avg ($102.88/hr)
Methodology & Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS: Primary source for national and state-level RN, NP, CRNA, and CNM wage data. 2025 release (covering 2024 survey period).
- Compiled from public sources: Travel nurse contract postings, staffing agency rate sheets, and nursing community salary surveys (2024–2026). Collection methodology: aggregation of publicly available compensation data; sample sizes and coverage vary by specialty and geography.
- AAMC / HRSA: Nursing shortage and workforce projection figures.
- All figures are U.S.-based. Salaries are pre-tax annual gross unless noted as hourly. Travel nurse figures include tax-free stipends in the weekly total.
Citing this data
You may cite any statistic from this page. Please attribute as: "NurseSalaryIntel, April 2026, nursesalaryintel.com/nursing-salary/salary-data-2026"
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
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