Highest-Paying Registered Nurse Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data and insights gleaned from numerous job postings, the Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for nursing positions across the United States. This analysis identifies the highest-paying roles for registered nurses based on their annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings on the highest-paying types of registered nurses in 2026:
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Contractor-Registered Nurse tops the list as the highest-paid registered nurse, with an average salary of $128,474 and an hourly rate of $61.77.
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The second highest-paying role is the Agency Registered Nurse, earning an average of $103,560 annually.
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The average salary for registered nurses overall is $73,349 per year, translating to an hourly wage of $35.26.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path in nursing can be challenging. While salary shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision, it certainly plays a significant role. If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse, understanding the highest-paying roles can guide your career advancement effectively.
Below are the top salaries for various types of registered nurses:
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Contractor-Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $128,474
A contractor-registered nurse delivers patient care in various medical settings under a contractual agreement. Their duties mirror those of standard registered nurses, which include administering medications, supporting patients and families, managing schedules, monitoring patient conditions, updating records, and collaborating with physicians to develop and implement care plans while maintaining effective communication.
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Agency Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $103,560
Agency Registered Nurses work on a contract basis for healthcare facilities, providing care and support in diverse environments. Their flexible work arrangements often lead to competitive salaries.
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Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
Average Salary: $97,820
An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) provides comprehensive patient care and may operate independently or in collaboration with physicians. Responsibilities include diagnosing conditions, managing patient care, and developing treatment plans.
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Registered Nurse In The ICU
Average Salary: $92,881
Registered Nurses in the ICU are tasked with closely monitoring critically ill patients and reporting their progress to healthcare teams. Their role requires acute attention to detail and responsiveness to emergencies.
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Telemetry Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $91,416
Telemetry Registered Nurses specialize in monitoring patients with cardiac conditions through telemetry systems. They interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs) and respond to cardiac-related emergencies while assisting in treatment procedures.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various registered nursing roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Registered Nurses
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to derive its salary estimates.
Our data science team also analyzes job postings and company resources for the most current salary information for registered nurses.
Once the data is compiled, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary methodology, explore the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Registered Nurse Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid registered nurse job?
The highest-paid registered nurse job is a Contractor-Registered Nurse. Contractor-Registered Nurses earn an average salary of $128,474, which is $61.77 hourly.
A contractor-registered nurse provides patient care in various medical facilities under a contractual agreement. Their responsibilities are similar to those of regular registered nurses, including administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, and coordinating care with healthcare teams.
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What is a good salary for a registered nurse?
A good salary for a registered nurse is $73,349 or more. This average salary indicates that those earning at least this amount are above the average pay scale.
However, keep in mind that salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and specialization. Conducting research on local salary averages for your specific expertise can provide a clearer picture of your earning potential.
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Do Registered Nurse jobs pay well?
Yes, registered nurse jobs generally pay well. With an average salary of $73,349, registered nurses earn significantly above the national average of about $44,225 per year.
Additionally, many registered nursing roles provide high earning potential, especially for the top 10% of earners, who average around $100,334 annually.
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Where do registered nurses get paid the most?
Registered Nurses earn the most in Alaska. In Alaska, registered nurses have an average annual salary of $97,253, with an hourly wage of $46.76.
Other states with high salaries for registered nurses include Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Connecticut, with average annual salaries of $89,434, $79,593, and $89,275, respectively.
The cities offering the highest registered nurse salaries include:
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San Francisco, CA – $108,619
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Portland, OR – $91,845
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New York, NY – $91,220
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
