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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The gap between the highest and lowest-paying cities is striking. The national median salary for Registered Nurses in 2026 is $91,741, with entry-level positions averaging $66,053 and senior roles reaching $130,272. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Santa Clara pays a median of $170,763, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Positioned in Healthcare within the broader Healthcare industry, Registered Nurses typically hold BSN or associate's. The employment landscape is shaped by very high demand, and the day-to-day is clinical shift-based. Those factors — education investment, demand trajectory, and work structure — all feed into the salary numbers below.
$99,583 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Registered Nurse in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $170,763 — $99,583 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($71,180). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. That salary-to-cost ratio is genuinely competitive.
The three-tier salary picture for Registered Nurses in 2026: $66,053 at entry (P10), $91,741 at midpoint, and $130,272 at the senior end (P90). Entry-level numbers tell a different story: The $64,219 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $11,374 above the national median household income of $80,367.
State averages smooth out the extremes — here's what they reveal: The top 3 paying cities (Santa Clara, Irvine, San Francisco) average $161,639 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Jackson, Macon) average $72,930. That $88,709 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
A Registered Nurse in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $170,763 — $99,583 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($71,180). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Registered Nurse is $66,053, while senior-level (P90) earners average $130,272. That $64,219 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
Hawaii pays the highest average median salary for Registered Nurses at $116,539 across 1 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Hampshire at $95,710) is $20,829.
At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses pull in an average of $130,272. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $66,053 | $91,741 | $130,272 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £35,709 | £49,596 | £70,426 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$55,294 | CA$76,797 | CA$109,053 |
| Australia | 13 | A$63,926 | A$88,785 | A$126,075 |
| Sweden | 24 | 377,373 kr | 524,130 kr | 744,264 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $83,908 | $116,539 | $165,485 |
| California | 61 | $75,388 | $104,706 | $148,683 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $72,676 | $100,939 | $143,333 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $70,770 | $98,292 | $139,575 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $68,911 | $95,710 | $135,908 |
| Washington | 8 | $67,532 | $93,795 | $133,188 |
| Oregon | 5 | $66,779 | $92,749 | $131,704 |
| Colorado | 11 | $66,426 | $92,259 | $131,008 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $66,391 | $92,210 | $130,938 |
| New York | 5 | $66,072 | $91,768 | $130,310 |
| Illinois | 5 | $65,924 | $91,561 | $130,017 |
| Nevada | 5 | $65,168 | $90,511 | $128,526 |
| Virginia | 7 | $65,131 | $90,460 | $128,452 |
| Idaho | 3 | $65,131 | $90,460 | $128,452 |
| Utah | 4 | $64,589 | $89,707 | $127,383 |
| Florida | 22 | $64,528 | $89,622 | $127,264 |
| Arizona | 12 | $64,464 | $89,534 | $127,138 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $64,387 | $89,427 | $126,986 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $63,644 | $88,394 | $125,520 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $63,210 | $87,792 | $124,664 |
| Michigan | 6 | $63,137 | $87,691 | $124,521 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $63,107 | $87,648 | $124,460 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $62,974 | $87,464 | $124,199 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $61,970 | $86,070 | $122,219 |
| Alaska | 1 | $61,970 | $86,070 | $122,219 |
| Iowa | 2 | $61,970 | $86,070 | $122,219 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $61,970 | $86,070 | $122,219 |
| Montana | 1 | $61,970 | $86,070 | $122,219 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $61,123 | $84,894 | $120,549 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $61,041 | $84,779 | $120,386 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $61,034 | $84,769 | $120,372 |
| Texas | 40 | $60,951 | $84,654 | $120,209 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $60,747 | $84,370 | $119,806 |
| Georgia | 6 | $60,576 | $84,133 | $119,469 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $60,498 | $84,026 | $119,316 |
| Indiana | 3 | $60,338 | $83,803 | $119,000 |
| Alabama | 5 | $59,665 | $82,868 | $117,673 |
| Ohio | 6 | $59,533 | $82,685 | $117,412 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $59,492 | $82,627 | $117,330 |
| Maryland | 1 | $59,430 | $82,541 | $117,208 |
| Missouri | 4 | $59,383 | $82,477 | $117,117 |
| Kansas | 4 | $59,244 | $82,283 | $116,842 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $58,996 | $81,939 | $116,353 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $58,687 | $81,509 | $115,742 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $54,906 | $76,258 | $108,286 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $52,365 | $72,729 | $103,275 |
The state salary map for Registered Nurses: Hawaii at $116,539, California at $104,706, Massachusetts at $100,939 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($72,729), Arkansas ($76,258), Nebraska ($81,509) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $43,810.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Santa Clara ($170,763 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $86,244 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $126,093 | 146 | $86,365 | $76,372 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $170,763 | 198 | $86,244 | $100,963 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $130,224 | 151 | $86,241 | $84,245 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $145,717 | 169 | $86,223 | $87,175 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $152,602 | 177 | $86,216 | $90,965 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $158,627 | 184 | $86,210 | $94,282 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $145,630 | 169 | $86,172 | $106,496 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $138,487 | 161 | $86,017 | $83,195 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $126,437 | 147 | $86,012 | $76,561 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $125,576 | 146 | $86,011 | $76,087 |
Career economics for Registered Nurses: entry level averages $66,053, mid-career hits $91,741, and experienced professionals reach $130,272. That's a 2.0× multiplier from start to peak. The path typically requires BSN or associate's, and the work is clinical shift-based. The outlook: very high demand. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The weighted national median salary for Registered Nurses is $91,741 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $66,053, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $130,272.
The highest-paying city for Registered Nurses is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $170,763. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($170,763), Irvine ($158,627), San Francisco ($155,528). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Registered Nurse salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $71,180. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) average $66,053 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $122,949. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Registered Nurses average $130,272 nationally — $64,219 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Registered Nurses can earn up to $242,483.
The top-paying states for Registered Nurses are Hawaii ($116,539 median), California ($104,706 median), Massachusetts ($100,939 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Registered Nurse involves BSN or associate's. The field is in the Healthcare sector (Healthcare), and the career outlook is very high demand. Work style is typically clinical shift-based.
With a national median of $91,741 and representation across 288 metro areas, Registered Nurse offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $64,219 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: very high demand.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.