Last Updated: April 2026
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Nurses in 2026
Where you work matters as much as what you do. The gap between the highest and lowest-paying states for RNs is over $57,000/year. Here are the top 10 best-paying states in 2026 — both raw salary and adjusted for cost of living.
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for RNs (Raw Salary)
| Rank & State | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. California | $124,000 | $59.62/hr |
| 2. Hawaii | $106,530 | $51.22/hr |
| 3. Oregon | $102,700 | $49.38/hr |
| 4. Washington | $100,890 | $48.51/hr |
| 5. New York | $98,560 | $47.38/hr |
| 6. Alaska | $97,230 | $46.75/hr |
| 7. Massachusetts | $96,630 | $46.46/hr |
| 8. New Jersey | $94,690 | $45.52/hr |
| 9. Connecticut | $93,370 | $44.89/hr |
| 10. Nevada | $90,210 | $43.37/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel data
Adjusted for Cost of Living — The Real Top 10
When you factor in state income taxes, housing costs, and everyday expenses, the ranking changes dramatically. Washington and Nevada — with no state income tax and moderate COL — deliver the best real take-home pay.
Top 10 States by COL-Adjusted Nurse Take-Home
| Rank & State | Avg. Salary | Why It Ranks High |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Washington (WA) | $100,890 | No income tax, moderate COL |
| 2. Nevada (NV) | $90,210 | No income tax, low COL |
| 3. Texas (TX) | $81,510 | No income tax, low COL |
| 4. Oregon (OR) | $102,700 | Moderate COL |
| 5. Arizona (AZ) | $84,320 | Low-moderate COL |
| 6. California (CA) | $124,000 | High pay offsets high COL only in mid-tier metros |
| 7. Minnesota (MN) | $88,200 | Low COL outside Twin Cities |
| 8. Pennsylvania (PA) | $80,630 | Low COL |
Source: NurseSalaryIntel analysis, 2026
Why Some States Pay More
Top-paying states share several characteristics: severe nursing shortages, strong union representation (California Nurses Association, NYSNA, WSNA), high cost of living that drives up wages, and regulations like mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios in California.
States with the Biggest Salary Growth (2024–2026)
Nevada (+14%), Texas (+12%), Arizona (+11%), and North Carolina (+10%) have seen the fastest RN salary growth over the past two years, driven by population growth and persistent shortages.
Best States for Nurses Considering Pay + Quality of Life
Washington State ranks at the top: high RN pay, no income tax, strong nursing laws, and excellent quality of life. Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado also balance good pay with strong quality of life metrics.
How to Use This Data in Salary Negotiations
If you're negotiating pay, reference the state average and compare it to your offer. If your offer is below state average — even in a low-paying state — you have data to justify a higher ask.
Get the full negotiation playbook →Highest Paying Cities in the Top-Paying States
Within the highest-paying states, pay varies by $15,000–$30,000 by metro area. Urban centers with major academic medical systems and strong union representation offer the most competitive nurse salaries in the country.
- San Francisco, CA: $145,000–$165,000/year ($70–$79/hr)
- San Jose, CA: $140,000–$155,000/year ($67–$75/hr)
- New York City, NY: $112,000–$128,000/year ($54–$62/hr)
- Seattle, WA: $105,000–$118,000/year ($50–$57/hr)
- Honolulu, HI: $104,000–$118,000/year ($50–$57/hr)
Nurse Salary by Experience in the Highest-Paying States
The highest-paying states also offer the steepest experience premiums. Union step increases, specialty certifications, and competitive retention bonuses compound over a career, creating the largest salary gaps at the 10+ year mark.
- Entry level (0–2 years): $75,000–$100,000 in the top-paying states. California new grads start at $85,000–$100,000; Hawaii at $78,000–$88,000.
- 3–5 years experience: $105,000–$130,000 in top-paying states. Union step increases in California and New York add $3,000–$6,000/year at this stage.
- 10+ years experience: $130,000–$175,000+ in top-paying states. Senior nurses at UCSF, NYU Langone, and Swedish Medical Center in Seattle reach the upper end of this range.
Night Shift & Overtime Pay in High-Pay States
The highest-paying states also offer the strongest shift differentials. California union hospitals pay 15–25% for nights; New York NYSNA contracts pay 15–22%; Washington State pays 12–20%. On a $100,000+ base salary, these differentials add $15,000–$25,000/year for consistent night nurses.
California has the most favorable overtime law in the nation: daily overtime applies after 8 hours per shift. Washington and Oregon use the federal 40-hour weekly threshold at 1.5x base. Double-time rates for voluntary extra shifts are common at major systems during staffing shortages.
RN Salary FAQs — Highest Paying States
What is the average RN salary in the highest paying states?
RN salary in California leads at $124,000, followed by Hawaii ($106,530), Oregon ($102,700), and Washington ($100,890). RN salary in New York rounds out the top 5 at $98,560. Use our nurse salary calculator to estimate your pay in any state.
How much do nurses make per hour in the highest paying states?
Nurses in the top-paying states earn $46–$60+/hr on average. California averages $59.62/hr, Hawaii $51.22/hr, Oregon $49.38/hr, and Washington $48.51/hr.
What is the highest paying city for nurses in the United States?
Nurse salary in San Francisco leads nationally at $145,000–$165,000/year, followed by nurse salary in New York City at $112,000–$128,000/year. The Bay Area's combination of high cost of living, shortages, and union contracts drives the highest nurse pay in the country.
📊 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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Which state is best for nurses after cost of living?
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