Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Minnesota earn $132,430 per year. The 75th percentile sits at $114,760, so employers competing for senior or specialized talent should expect offers in that upper range. Budget at least $114,760 for experienced candidates and be prepared to go higher for roles requiring advanced specialization or leadership responsibilities.
Registered nurse salary in Minnesota (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Minnesota is $103,420 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $101,510 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Minnesota employs 70,110 registered nurses, and the $1,910 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Minnesota typically earn around $79,960, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed $132,430. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Minnesota, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $101,510 |
Average Annual Salary | $103,420 |
vs. National Average | 2.0% above the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 70,110 employed registered nurses across Minnesota.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Minnesota
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $79,960 |
25th Percentile | $88,940 |
75th Percentile | $114,760 |
90th Percentile | $132,430 |
Employers hiring entry-level registered nurses in Minnesota should budget from $79,960, while offers for experienced specialists will need to reach $114,760 to $132,430 to stay competitive. The wide spread across these percentiles signals that specialization, setting, and years of experience drive meaningful pay differences within this workforce.
Registered nurse salary by city in Minnesota
City | Average Annual Salary |
Rochester | $106,510 |
Minneapolis | $106,480 |
St. Cloud | $101,980 |
Mankato | $100,560 |
Duluth | $96,640 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Minnesota, so budget accordingly based on where the role sits. Rochester and Minneapolis lead at $106,510 and $106,480 respectively, while Duluth comes in at $96,640, a difference of nearly $10,000 per year. Employers hiring in smaller markets like Duluth may find more budget flexibility, but should still benchmark against the statewide median of $101,510 when evaluating candidate expectations.
How Minnesota compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Minnesota | $103,420 | $101,510 |
Wisconsin | $94,690 | $95,530 |
Illinois | $94,360 | $95,990 |
Michigan | $94,300 | $94,300 |
Ohio | $87,730 | $82,510 |
Iowa | $80,540 | $78,630 |
Employers in Minnesota should expect to budget more for registered nurse compensation than most neighboring states. Minnesota's mean of $103,420 sits above Wisconsin at $94,690, Illinois at $94,360, Michigan at $94,300, Ohio at $87,730, and Iowa at $80,540. Candidates relocating from lower-wage states may have lower salary anchors, but local market rates in Minnesota should drive your offer, not the candidate's prior compensation.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Minnesota
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Minnesota's average registered nurse salary of $103,420 places it above all five neighboring comparison states. Wisconsin is the closest at $94,690, while Iowa sits lowest at $80,540. If you are hiring in Minnesota, plan for compensation expectations that run roughly $9,000 to $23,000 higher than what candidates from neighboring states may have previously earned.
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Minnesota?
The salary range for a registered nurse in Minnesota runs from $79,960 at the 10th percentile to $132,430 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $88,940 at the 25th percentile and $114,760 at the 75th percentile. Use the 25th-to-75th range as your core budgeting band and adjust up or down based on the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling.
What is the average registered nurse salary in Minnesota?
The average registered nurse salary in Minnesota is $103,420 per year, which sits 2.0% above the national mean of $101,420. The median of $101,510 is a more grounded benchmark for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average upward. Use the median as your baseline offer anchor and adjust based on the candidate's experience level and the specific demands of the role.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
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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