Frontline patient care. California pays the most by a wide margin due to staffing-ratio laws.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Registered Nurse (RN)s. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $66,300 | $54,000 | $81,000 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $82,400 | $67,100 | $100,700 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $94,800 | $77,200 | $115,800 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $113,700 | $92,600 | $138,900 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $128,900 | $104,900 | $157,400 |
Top 10 states by median Registered Nurse (RN) salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $153,600 | $116,700 | $199,700 | +62% |
| Washington DC | $132,700 | $100,900 | $172,600 | +40% |
| Hawaii | $123,300 | $93,700 | $160,200 | +30% |
| Alaska | $121,400 | $92,200 | $157,800 | +28% |
| Washington | $117,600 | $89,400 | $152,800 | +24% |
| Massachusetts | $115,700 | $87,900 | $150,400 | +22% |
| Oregon | $115,700 | $87,900 | $150,400 | +22% |
| Connecticut | $114,700 | $87,200 | $149,100 | +21% |
| Maryland | $113,800 | $86,500 | $147,900 | +20% |
| New York | $113,800 | $86,500 | $147,900 | +20% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $80,600 | $61,300 | $104,800 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $79,600 | $60,500 | $103,500 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $79,600 | $60,500 | $103,500 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $79,600 | $60,500 | $103,500 | -16% |
| Alabama | $78,700 | $59,800 | $102,300 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $78,700 | $59,800 | $102,300 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $75,900 | $57,600 | $98,600 | -20% |
| West Virginia | $74,000 | $56,200 | $96,100 | -22% |
| South Dakota | $72,100 | $54,800 | $93,700 | -24% |
| Mississippi | $68,300 | $51,900 | $88,700 | -28% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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