There were more than 3,175,000 registered nurses (RNs) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs work in varied healthcare settings, including hospitals, physician offices, home healthcare agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient care centers. Like many other healthcare professionals with advanced training and skills, registered nurses usually earn higher salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations. Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for registered nurses was $94,480 per year. While RNs realize better than average pay in comparison to most workers, the annual mean wage for registered nurses varies widely from state to state. Per BLS data, as of May 2023, these were the ten best and worst states for registered nurse pay based on annual mean wage levels:
The Best and Worst States for Registered Nurse Pay
| Best Paying States | |
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| District of Columbia | $106,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Worst Paying States | |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 22, 2024
