The 90th percentile for registered nurses nationally is $137,470, which represents the threshold for the top 10% of earners. When competing for senior registered nurse talent, plan your offer ceiling around this figure, as candidates with specialized experience or in high-cost markets will expect compensation at or above this level.
Registered nurse salary in the US (2026)
The average registered nurse salary in the US is $101,420. The median of $97,550 is the better anchor for most hiring decisions, since it reflects what a typical registered nurse earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. State location matters significantly for registered nurse compensation, so your offer budget may need to shift considerably depending on where you are hiring.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $101,420 |
Median annual salary | $97,550 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,379,720 employed registered nurses across the US.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next registered nurse hire.
Registered nurse salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th percentile | $68,940 |
25th percentile | $80,330 |
75th percentile | $112,350 |
90th percentile | $137,470 |
If you want to attract experienced registered nurses without overpaying entry-level candidates, anchoring offers between $97,550 and $112,350 covers the median through the 75th percentile and positions you competitively for most hires. For senior or specialized talent, budget up to $137,470 to reach the top 10% of earners nationally.
How registered nurse salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $150,280 | $140,270 |
Washington | $121,540 | $124,200 |
Massachusetts | $117,960 | $104,550 |
New York | $113,440 | $109,440 |
Colorado | $99,370 | $100,260 |
Texas | $95,380 | $95,970 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Illinois | $94,360 | $95,990 |
Virginia | $93,850 | $93,600 |
Florida | $90,650 | $84,190 |
Your registered nurse salary budget should be built around the state where you are hiring, not the national average. California employers need to plan for a median of $140,270, while Florida employers can anchor closer to $84,190. States like Texas, Georgia, Illinois, and Virginia cluster near the national median of $97,550, making them more predictable markets for budgeting purposes.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in the US
What is the highest RN salary?
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in the US?
The full salary range for registered nurses runs from $68,940 at the 10th percentile to $137,470 at the 90th percentile. Most employers will find the practical hiring range sits between $80,330 and $112,350, which covers the 25th through 75th percentiles and reflects where the majority of registered nurses are compensated nationally.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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