RN Salary by State — 2026 (All 50 States)

Where you work matters as much as what you do. The difference between the highest and lowest-paying states for registered nurses is over $57,000/year. This comprehensive guide breaks down RN pay in all 50 states for 2026 — with cost-of-living context to help you make real comparisons.

RN Salary — All 50 States (2026)

Click any state for a full breakdown including hourly rates, city comparisons, experience levels, and top employers.

Highest-Paying States for Registered Nurses

California leads by a wide margin ($124,000), followed by Hawaii ($106,530), Oregon ($102,700), Washington ($100,890), and New York ($98,560). These states combine strong union protections, high cost of living, and severe nursing shortages.

Lowest-Paying States for RNs

Mississippi ($66,590), South Dakota ($63,830), Alabama ($68,290), and Iowa ($69,230) are among the lowest-paying states. However, low cost of living in these regions can make the raw numbers misleading.

RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living

After cost of living adjustment, the best states shift dramatically. Washington, Nevada, and Texas — all with no state income tax — deliver strong real purchasing power. California and New York drop out of the top 10 on a COL-adjusted basis.

How State Nurse Shortages Affect Pay

States with severe nursing shortages — California, Nevada, Alaska, and much of the rural South — see the fastest pay growth. Hospitals compete aggressively for staff, driving up base rates, sign-on bonuses, and retention incentives.

Staff RN vs. Travel Nurse Pay by State

Travel nurses typically earn 20–50% more than staff RNs in the same state. The premium is largest in hard-to-fill states (Alaska, Hawaii, rural states) and specialties (ICU, OR, ER).

How to Use This Data to Negotiate Your Salary

Bring state and metro-level data to every salary conversation. If you're being offered below state average, you have concrete data to push back. Our negotiation playbook walks through the full process.

Check Your Contract After You Know Your Worth

Once you know what RNs earn in your target state, use our free nurse salary calculator and contract audit tool to verify your offer reflects market rates — and flag any red flags before you sign.

Highest Paying Cities for Nurses in the United States

The highest-paying metro areas for registered nurses are concentrated in California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest. These markets combine strong union contracts, mandatory staffing ratios, and high cost of living that drives base pay up.

• San Francisco, CA: $145,000–$165,000/year ($69–$79/hr)
• San Jose, CA: $140,000–$155,000/year ($67–$75/hr)
• Los Angeles, CA: $122,000–$142,000/year ($59–$68/hr)
• New York City, NY: $110,000–$128,000/year ($53–$62/hr)
• Seattle, WA: $105,000–$118,000/year ($50–$57/hr)

Nurse Salary by Experience Level

Experience is one of the strongest predictors of RN pay. Nationally, the gap between entry-level and senior nurses ranges from $25,000 to $50,000+, and the premium is even larger in high-pay states with union step increases.

• Entry level (0–2 years): $55,000–$75,000 nationally. New grads in California start at $85,000–$100,000; lower-paying states start near $52,000–$62,000.
• 3–5 years experience: $72,000–$95,000. Specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN) add $5,000–$12,000 to base pay at this stage.
• 10+ years experience: $90,000–$130,000+. Senior bedside nurses in high-pay states often exceed $130,000. Advancing to management or APRN licensure can push earnings to $150,000+.

Night Shift & Overtime Pay for Nurses

Most hospital systems pay a shift differential of 10–25% above base pay for evening and overnight shifts. In California and New York, this premium can add $8,000–$18,000 per year. Weekend differentials typically add another 5–15% on top of base.

Federal law requires overtime at 1.5x the base hourly rate for hours beyond 40 per week. California goes further, requiring daily overtime after 8 hours in a single shift. RNs who regularly work overtime — especially in ICU, ER, and OR — can add $15,000–$35,000 annually to their income.

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