Exploring the Average Nurse Salary in the US for 2026 - What to Expect
Nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions in healthcare, and pay has been climbing. If you're a nurse, considering joining the profession, or planning your career, one question matters most: what do nurses actually earn in 2026?
The latest official data show that the typical registered nurse (RN) now earns close to $100,000 a year, with much higher pay in some states and in advanced practice roles.This article uses the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which cover May 2025 and were published in 2026. It explains what nurses earn, what drives the differences, and what to expect going forward.
The Current Landscape of Nursing Salaries
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025, or $46.90 an hour. The median is the point at which half of nurses earned more and half earned less. That's up from about $93,600 in May 2024, an increase of roughly 4% in one year. The mean (average) RN wage is higher, at about $101,400, because high earners pull the average up.
Pay varies widely within the profession. The lowest-paid 10% of RNs earned less than $68,940, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $137,470.
For context, the median annual wage for all U.S. workers was $50,980 in May 2025, so RN pay is nearly double the national median. Nursing is also one of the largest professions in the country, with about 3.47 million RN jobs in 2025.
| Nursing role | Median annual wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPN/LVN) | $64,400 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | $97,550 |
| Nurse practitioners (NP) | $132,300 |
| Nurse midwives | $134,040 |
| Nurse anesthetists (CRNA) | $236,590 |
A note on what these numbers mean. These are the newest official figures, and they describe pay in May 2025, so pay in 2026 may be somewhat higher. BLS wage estimates also generally don't capture items like overtime or shift differentials, so what an individual nurse actually earns can differ. The BLS updates these wage figures once a year, with the next update expected in spring 2027.
Factors Influencing Nurse Salaries
Several factors explain why one nurse earns far more than another. Understanding them can help nurses and aspiring nurses make informed career decisions.
Geographic Variations
Location is one of the biggest drivers of pay. In May 2025, these states had the highest median RN wages:
| State | Median annual RN wage |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
At the other end, Alabama had the lowest state median at $77,080, a gap of more than $63,000 compared with California. These wages aren't adjusted for cost of living, and high-paying states are often expensive places to live, so compare an offer against local housing and other costs. Pay also varies within states, and the BLS publishes wage data for individual metropolitan and rural areas if you want to look at your own region.
Level of Education and Specialization
RNs usually enter the profession through a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, or a diploma program, and graduates of any of the three can qualify for entry-level staff nurse jobs, although some employers, particularly hospitals, may require a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's or higher degree is often needed for administrative, research, consulting, and teaching roles.
The biggest pay jump comes from advanced practice. Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists must earn at least a master's degree, and the difference shows up in pay:
- Nurse practitioners earned a median of $132,300 in May 2025, about 36% more than the RN median.
- Nurse midwives earned a median of $134,040.
- Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) earned a median of $236,590, more than double the RN median. Applicants to nurse anesthetist programs generally need at least a year of experience as an RN in a critical care setting.
Across these advanced roles, the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $102,190, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $224,490.
Certifications in areas such as ambulatory care, gerontology, or pediatrics are usually voluntary, but they show a level of competency, and some employers require them. The BLS doesn't publish RN pay by specialty, so how much a certification or specialty such as critical care or oncology adds to your pay depends on the employer.
Workplace Setting
The type of employer matters too. In May 2025, median RN wages in the largest employing industries were:
| Setting | Median annual RN wage |
|---|---|
| Government (excluding state and local education and hospitals) | $110,780 |
| Hospitals (state, local, and private) | $100,220 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services (such as physicians' offices, home healthcare, and outpatient centers) | $91,230 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $84,300 |
| Educational services (state, local, and private) | $78,620 |
Hospitals employ about 59% of all RNs, and they pay more than outpatient settings and nursing care facilities. Government employers pay the most, while school-based nursing pays the least, though school nurses are more likely to have regular business hours. Hospital and nursing facility nurses usually work in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, which is part of why those jobs can pay more. Nurses in leadership or administrative roles often earn more than staff nurses, and moving into management increasingly requires a graduate degree.
What's Ahead: Salary and Job Trends
Several trends are shaping the nursing job market as 2026 continues.
Strong Demand
The BLS projects that RN employment will grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3% average for all occupations, adding about 194,700 jobs. It also expects about 180,800 RN openings each year, many of them to replace nurses who retire or move to other occupations. Demand is driven by a large older population, more patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity, and growth in outpatient care and home healthcare.
Advanced practice is growing even faster. Employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 41% over the same decade, and nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners combined are projected to grow 36%, with about 32,200 openings a year.
What This Means for Pay
Strong demand tends to support wages, but the BLS doesn't forecast salaries. A useful benchmark is recent history: the RN median rose about 4% between May 2024 and May 2025. Treat that as a reference point and not a promise, since pay depends on your location, employer, and role.
Technology
Skills in electronic health records, telehealth, and other digital tools are increasingly expected in nursing jobs. Whether those skills earn a pay premium varies by employer, but nurses who are comfortable with new technology are generally better positioned for in-demand roles.
Policy and Funding Changes
Changes in healthcare funding, insurance coverage, and labor rules can affect hiring and pay at the local level. Nurses who stay informed about their state's and employer's policies are better prepared when it's time to negotiate pay or choose a job.
Maximizing Your Nursing Career Potential
For those in the nursing profession or considering entering the field, these strategies can help maximize earning potential:
- Pursue further education: A bachelor's degree opens doors to administrative and teaching roles, and a master's degree is the entry point to advanced practice roles that pay substantially more.
- Consider advanced practice: Nurse practitioners earn about 36% more than the RN median, and nurse anesthetists earn more than double.
- Compare settings: Hospital and government jobs tend to pay more than outpatient, nursing facility, and school settings, though schedules and benefits differ.
- Look at location: Pay varies by more than $60,000 between the highest- and lowest-paying states, but weigh that against your cost of living.
- Build in-demand skills: Certifications and digital skills can strengthen your résumé, even if the pay effect varies by employer.
- Stay informed: Keep up with wage data and job market trends, and use them when you negotiate.
Challenges and Opportunities
While nursing offers solid pay and strong job prospects, it's not without challenges. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Nurses spend much of their time on their feet, hospital and nursing facility schedules often include nights, weekends, and holidays, and burnout is a real concern. With roughly 180,800 openings a year, though, nurses have options, including changing settings, specialties, or schedules.
Nurses who are proactive about professional development and self-care can build rewarding, sustainable careers. Support networks, continuing education, and mentorship programs are valuable resources for navigating these challenges.
Final Takeaway
The outlook for nurses in 2026 is strong. The typical RN earned $97,550 in May 2025, pay is rising, and demand is projected to keep growing, with the fastest growth and the highest pay in advanced practice roles. Your own pay will depend heavily on where you work, what setting you choose, and how far you take your education. For those willing to plan strategically, nursing offers both a meaningful career and solid financial stability.
Sources
- Registered Nurses, Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated August 27, 2026)
- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Outlook Handbook (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated August 27, 2026)
- RN median pay by state (Becker's Hospital Review, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025)
Wage figures are medians from May 2025 BLS data unless noted, and individual pay varies by employer, location, and experience.