How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in 2026? The Complete BLS Data Breakdown
By NurseComp Editorial · May 21, 2026 · 12 min read
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $93,600 for registered nurses. Here is the full picture: percentiles, top-paying industries, metro areas, and how the numbers have changed.
If you Google "how much do nurses make," you get a number. Usually the median. Sometimes the mean. Rarely the context that makes it useful. Here is the complete picture from the most recent BLS data, with enough detail to actually compare against your own paycheck.
The National Numbers (May 2024 BLS OEWS)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey is the gold standard for wage data in the United States. For registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), the most recent release shows:
- Mean annual wage: $98,430
- Median annual wage: $93,600
- Mean hourly wage: $47.32
- Median hourly wage: $45.00
Percentile distribution:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~$63,720 | ~$30.64 |
| 25th | ~$75,990 | ~$36.53 |
| 50th (median) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 75th | ~$113,000 | ~$54.33 |
| 90th | ~$132,000+ | ~$63.46 |
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile — roughly $70,000 — reflects the enormous variation in RN pay based on geography, specialty, setting, experience, and shift differential.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 29-1141, May 2024 release.
What "Median" Actually Means
The median is the midpoint: half of all RNs earn more, half earn less. It is not the average (mean), which is pulled upward by high earners in states like California. It is not what a new graduate should expect, nor is it a ceiling.
If you are a new graduate, expect to start between the 10th and 25th percentile. If you are a nurse with 5+ years of experience in a metro area, you should be at or above the median. If you are below the 25th percentile with more than 3 years of experience, you are likely underpaid relative to market.
The 2025 Update: National Mean Hits $101,420
The BLS OEWS May 2025 release (published in early 2026) shows the national mean annual wage for RNs reaching $101,420 — crossing the six-figure threshold for the mean for the first time.
This represents a 3.0% year-over-year increase from the $98,430 mean in May 2024, which tracks closely with general inflation plus the persistent nursing shortage premium.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; nurse.org reporting.
Top-Paying States for RNs
BLS state-level data consistently shows the same cluster of high-paying states:
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | ~$137,690 |
| 2 | Hawaii | ~$121,780 |
| 3 | Oregon | ~$117,500 |
| 4 | Washington | ~$113,650 |
| 5 | Alaska | ~$110,000+ |
Important context: These are nominal wages. They do not adjust for cost of living. California's $137,690 mean RN wage buys considerably less housing than Iowa's ~$68,000 mean RN wage in many parts of the state. Regional Price Parities (RPP) from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show California's overall price level is roughly 14% above the national average, while Iowa's is about 11% below.
For a cost-of-living-adjusted comparison, divide by the state RPP. When you do this, states like Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana often outperform California on purchasing power.
Source: BLS OEWS state data; BEA Regional Price Parities.
Top-Paying Industries for RNs
Not all RN jobs pay the same even within the same city. BLS breaks out wages by industry:
| Industry | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Government (federal/state/local) | ~$100,000–$110,000 |
| Hospitals (general medical/surgical) | ~$95,000–$106,000 |
| Outpatient care centers | ~$93,000–$100,000 |
| Home health care services | ~$82,000–$88,000 |
| Skilled nursing facilities | ~$80,000–$86,000 |
Hospital-employed RNs remain the highest-paid large employment category. The gap between hospitals and skilled nursing facilities is roughly $15,000–$20,000 per year for similar clinical responsibility.
Source: BLS OEWS industry data.
How RN Wages Have Changed Over Time
BLS has tracked RN wages consistently for decades:
| Year | Median Annual | Mean Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $67,490 | $72,180 |
| 2018 | $71,730 | $77,460 |
| 2020 | $75,330 | $80,010 |
| 2022 | $81,220 | $89,010 |
| 2024 | $93,600 | $98,430 |
| 2025 | -- | $101,420 |
The 2020–2024 period saw the fastest RN wage growth in modern history, driven by pandemic-era demand, travel nursing rate spikes that pulled up staff wages, and persistent vacancies. The rate of growth is now decelerating but remains above general inflation.
Source: BLS OEWS historical data.
How to Use This Data
Practical applications:
- Job offers: Compare against the percentile table for your state and metro area, not just the national median. A $75,000 offer in rural Mississippi is above the state median; the same offer in Seattle is below the 25th percentile.
- Negotiation: The BLS data is public and credible. "The BLS reports the mean RN wage in this metro area is $X; my offer is $Y" is a factual, non-adversarial negotiation point.
- Career planning: The industry table shows where the money is. If maximizing income matters to you, hospital and government employers consistently pay more than SNFs and home health.
- Relocation decisions: Always adjust for cost of living using BEA Regional Price Parities or a reputable cost-of-living index before comparing offers across states.
The 193,000-per-Year Number
BLS projects approximately 193,000 RN job openings per year through 2032, driven primarily by replacement demand (retirements, career changes) rather than net new positions. The occupation is projected to grow 6% over the decade — roughly in line with the average for all occupations.
However, HRSA's nurse workforce projections paint a more concerning picture: by 2026, national RN supply meets only about 92–94% of projected demand, with specific states (California, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan) facing shortages of 20% or more by 2038.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, RNs; HRSA Nurse Workforce Projections 2023–2038.