Average Nurse Salary
Updated August 18, 2021
Average Nurse Salary
$59,000 yearly
$28.79 hourly
Entry level Salary
$42,000 yearly$42,000
10 %
$59,000
Median
$83,000
90 %
Are you paid fairly? Get Your Salary Estimate
Percentile  | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
90th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
75th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
Average | $59,891 | $4,991 | $29 |
25th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
10th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
Average Nurse Salary By State
The darker areas on the map show where nurses earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
- State View
- Country View
Average Salary:
Nurse average salary by State
| State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $49,208 | $23.66 | 3,036 |
Alaska | $106,925 | $51.41 | 866 |
Arizona | $67,159 | $32.29 | 4,701 |
Arkansas | $49,959 | $24.02 | 2,517 |
California | $81,070 | $38.98 | 17,184 |
Colorado | $54,877 | $26.38 | 4,671 |
Connecticut | $66,780 | $32.11 | 2,996 |
Delaware | $65,470 | $31.48 | 1,091 |
District of Columbia | $78,493 | $37.74 | 696 |
Florida | $55,908 | $26.88 | 21,485 |
Georgia | $54,505 | $26.20 | 9,099 |
Hawaii | $80,357 | $38.63 | 441 |
Idaho | $50,184 | $24.13 | 1,187 |
Illinois | $56,440 | $27.13 | 8,157 |
Indiana | $44,870 | $21.57 | 6,756 |
Iowa | $42,726 | $20.54 | 3,147 |
Kansas | $43,070 | $20.71 | 2,660 |
Kentucky | $46,796 | $22.50 | 3,224 |
Louisiana | $53,167 | $25.56 | 3,742 |
Maine | $61,171 | $29.41 | 1,797 |
Maryland | $68,105 | $32.74 | 5,201 |
Massachusetts | $64,171 | $30.85 | 8,616 |
Michigan | $57,726 | $27.75 | 6,738 |
Minnesota | $53,329 | $25.64 | 4,511 |
Mississippi | $47,595 | $22.88 | 2,020 |
Missouri | $45,175 | $21.72 | 4,805 |
Montana | $45,795 | $22.02 | 1,215 |
Nebraska | $42,547 | $20.46 | 1,822 |
Nevada | $65,181 | $31.34 | 1,671 |
New Hampshire | $49,996 | $24.04 | 1,983 |
New Jersey | $60,031 | $28.86 | 6,399 |
New Mexico | $50,284 | $24.18 | 2,254 |
New York | $70,769 | $34.02 | 12,341 |
North Carolina | $56,381 | $27.11 | 9,185 |
North Dakota | $46,546 | $22.38 | 1,094 |
Ohio | $48,474 | $23.30 | 10,215 |
Oklahoma | $45,350 | $21.80 | 2,970 |
Oregon | $75,426 | $36.26 | 3,039 |
Pennsylvania | $59,514 | $28.61 | 12,859 |
Rhode Island | $66,083 | $31.77 | 761 |
South Carolina | $47,867 | $23.01 | 4,455 |
South Dakota | $41,824 | $20.11 | 1,199 |
Tennessee | $39,592 | $19.03 | 6,855 |
Texas | $55,025 | $26.45 | 20,437 |
Utah | $51,269 | $24.65 | 1,067 |
Vermont | $55,295 | $26.58 | 871 |
Virginia | $61,583 | $29.61 | 7,045 |
Washington | $71,544 | $34.40 | 6,724 |
West Virginia | $42,088 | $20.23 | 1,742 |
Wisconsin | $52,455 | $25.22 | 4,158 |
Wyoming | $44,994 | $21.63 | 489 |
How much should you get paid?
Tell us about yourself to get a free, personalized Zippia Salary Report and suggestions on how to increase your pay.
Highest Paying Cities For Nurse
| City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
Urban Honolulu, HI | $80,509 | $38.71 |
Los Angeles, CA | $78,763 | $37.87 |
Washington, DC | $78,530 | $37.75 |
Salem, OR | $76,161 | $36.62 |
Seattle, WA | $73,538 | $35.35 |
New York, NY | $70,889 | $34.08 |
The largest raises come from changing jobs.
See what's out there.
How much does a Nurse make?
Average Nurse Salary Over Time
Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
2021 | $59,900 | $28.79 | +2.4% |
2020 | $58,400 | $28.10 | +2.2% |
2019 | $57,200 | $27.48 | +1.4% |
2018 | $56,400 | $27.09 | +1.3% |
2017 | $55,600 | $26.75 | +0.6% |
Average JOB Salary by Field
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Avg. salary: $70,881
An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.
495,306 Emergency Department Registered Nurse JobsRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Avg. salary: $63,421
A registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.
592,855 Registered Nurse Charge Nurse JobsRegistered Nurse Med/Surg
Avg. salary: $73,951
The job of registered medical-surgical nurses is to care for patients with either surgical or non-surgical conditions. They are responsible for aiding patients to cope with their illness, prevent diseases, and promote good health. Entry-level registered nurses often rely on standardized care plans and medical procedures and make scientific-based nursing judgments. On the other hand, intermediate level nurses are more skilled in developing care plans that meet client needs. Requirements to become a medical-surgical nurse include a college degree in nursing, excellent assessment and observation skills, and patient education skills.
583,506 Registered Nurse Med/Surg JobsLicensed Practical Nurse
Avg. salary: $45,861
Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.
556,209 Licensed Practical Nurse JobsClinic Registered Nurse
Avg. salary: $65,696
A clinic registered nurse is responsible for providing immediate care and treatments to patients while working alongside physicians and specialists. Assigned in a clinic or similar setting, they are mostly responsible for obtaining patient information and medical history, administering appropriate medication, and coordinating with health care experts. Moreover, they must thoroughly discuss necessary information to patients and their guardians and respond to any inquiries under the physician's guidelines. It is essential to make patients feel at ease and implement the policies of the clinic.
497,170 Clinic Registered Nurse JobsClinical Research Nurse
Avg. salary: $66,396
A clinical research nurse is responsible for conducting research studies on various health conditions, illness treatments, and healthcare methodologies, analyzing existing scientific research to make new reports. Clinical research nurses also communicate with other health professionals and health organizations for their insights and recommendations for a specific medical study, ensuring to report their findings to doctors and medical researchers for further validation and clinical trials. A clinical research nurse must have excellent knowledge of communication, both written and spoken, as well as expertise in the medical industry.
646,132 Clinical Research Nurse Jobs| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency Department Registered Nurse | $70,881 | $5,907 | $34.08 | 495,306 |
Registered Nurse Charge Nurse | $63,422 | $5,285 | $30.49 | 592,855 |
Registered Nurse Med/Surg | $73,951 | $6,163 | $35.55 | 583,506 |
Licensed Practical Nurse | $45,862 | $3,822 | $22.05 | 556,209 |
Clinic Registered Nurse | $65,696 | $5,475 | $31.58 | 497,170 |
Clinical Research Nurse | $66,397 | $5,533 | $31.92 | 646,132 |
Find High Paying Jobs Near You
Nurse Salaries By Years Of Experience
| Experience Level | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level | $47,800 | $22.99 |
Mid Level | $60,000 | $28.84 |
Senior Level | $81,200 | $39.04 |
Which Companies Pay Nurses The Most?
How much should you get paid?
Tell us about yourself to get a free, personalized Zippia Salary Report and suggestions on how to increase your pay.
Recently Added Nurse Salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services-NCCW Nurse (Lpn/Rn) | Nurse (Lpn/Rn) | York, NE | 08/31/2021 | $52,196 08/31/2021 |
Westwood Specialty Care Nurses & Cnas | Nurses & Cnas | Sioux City, IA | 08/31/2021 | $64,697 08/31/2021 |
Mind Springs Health Amazing Nurses | Amazing Nurses | Grand Junction, CO | 08/31/2021 | $68,871 08/31/2021 |
RHA Health Services IDD Nurse (LPN) | IDD Nurse (LPN) | Springfield, TN | 08/31/2021 | $53,219 08/31/2021 |
Nurse | Towaoc, CO | 08/30/2021 | $51,197 08/30/2021 | |
Indian Health Service Nurse (ER) | Nurse (ER) | Cass Lake, MN | 08/30/2021 | $56,514 08/30/2021 |
MGA Homecare Homecare Nurse | Homecare Nurse | Denver, CO | 08/30/2021 | $65,000 08/30/2021 |
Indian Health Service Nurse (Community Health) | Nurse (Community Health) | Fort Washakie, WY | 08/30/2021 | $56,514 08/30/2021 |
Nurse | Albuquerque, NM | 08/30/2021 | $51,197 08/30/2021 | |
Nurse | Wolf Point, MT | 08/30/2021 | $47,116 08/30/2021 |
Related Job Salaries
Average Nurse Salary by Demographic
Nurse Gender Pay Gap
Male Income
$62,233
Female Income
$59,844
Gender   | Income |
|---|---|
| Male | $62,233 |
| Female | $59,844 |
Median Nurse Income by Race
Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| White | $59,525 |
| Black or African American | $58,694 |
| Asian | $65,456 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $60,659 |
Average Nurse Salary by Education Level
Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $66,231 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,844 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $55,517 |
Nurse FAQs
What is the lowest salary for a nurse?
The lowest salary for a nurse is for licensed nurse practitioners (LPNs). The median salary for LPNs is about $47,000. LPNs are some of the lowest-paid nurses because it has the lowest educational requirements within the nursing field.
To practice as an LPN, a person does not need a college degree. To become an LPN, a person must take one year of educational and training courses to receive their practical nursing diploma and subsequently pass an exam to be licensed.
Because of the low educational barriers to become an LPN, these jobs typically pay significantly less than other nursing roles.
It is beneficial for most people to instead pursue an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) at the minimum. This degree has a starting salary that is essentially the same as those with a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).
What kind of nurses get paid the most?
Anesthetist Registered Nurses (ARN) get paid the most of any nurse. An ARN earns a mean annual salary of $181,040 ($88.26 per hour).
ARNs are paid the highest because they are highly skilled in preparing and administering anesthesia to patients in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, and similar health professionals.
Becoming an ARN is an extremely difficult process that requires many years of school and work experience. It takes 11-years to become an ARN. An ARN needs a Bachelor of Science in not only Nursing and a Masters of Science in Nursing, but also a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Program and additional 2.6-years of critical care experience.