The 15 Highest-Paying States for Nurses
Learn about the top 15 states that offer the highest salaries for nurses. Discover the cities where registered nurses (RNs) can earn the most and understand how the local cost of living affects their income. If you’re an RN considering relocating, find out which U.S. states and cities provide the best opportunities for securing a competitive salary.
1. California
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California leads the list of the 15 highest-paying states for nurses. The average annual salary for RNs in California is $124,000, or $59.62 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average of $82,750. RN salaries across the state range from $78,070 for the lowest 10th percentile to $165,620 for the top 90th percentile.
Top-paying cities in California include:
– San Jose — Sunnyvale — Santa Clara: $155,230
– San Francisco — Oakland — Hayward: $151,640
– Vallejo — Fairfield: $146,360
However, California’s cost of living, which is 10% higher than the national average, can impact RN salaries. The state’s high demand for nurses contributes to an anticipated employment growth rate of 16.7%, compared to the national average of 9%.
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2. Hawaii
Hawaii takes second place among the highest-paying states for nurses. The average salary for RNs in Hawaii is $106,530 per year, or $51.22 per hour. The salary range spans from $75,380 for the lowest 10th percentile to $129,670 for the top 90th percentile.
In 2021, top-paying cities for RNs in Hawaii were:
– Urban Honolulu (Oahu): $107,680
– Kahului — Wailuku — Lahaina (Maui): $107,600
Although Hawaii boasts high RN salaries, its cost of living index is 112, making it more expensive than the national average of 100. Yet, the state’s remote location sustains demand for nurses, ensuring competitive salaries.
3. Oregon
Oregon ranks third in terms of the highest-paying states for RNs. RNs in Oregon earn an average annual salary of $98,630, equivalent to $47.42 per hour. The salary range varies between $76,180 and $127,680 across the state.
Top-paying cities in Oregon include:
– Portland — Vancouver — Hillsboro: $101,710
– Eugene: $97,330
– Medford: $95,020
The cost of living in Oregon is relatively high, with an index of 113.1 overall and 148.9 for housing. Adjusted for this higher cost of living, the average RN salary becomes $96,066 annually, which is still a substantial income.
4. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. ranks fourth among the highest-paying states for nurses. RNs in the nation’s capital earn an average annual salary of $98,540, or $47.38 per hour. RN salaries in the city span from $62,700 for the lowest 10th percentile to $129,670 for the top 10th percentile.
RNs in Washington, D.C. benefit from a higher-than-average cost of living, with an index of 152.1. Factoring in this index, the adjusted average RN salary becomes $87,208 per year.
5. Alaska
Alaska secures the fifth spot among the highest-paying states for nurses. The average annual salary for RNs in Alaska is $97,230, equivalent to $46.74 per hour. The salary range extends from $77,450 for the lowest-paid 10% of RNs to $127,020 for the top-paid 10%.
Anchorage, Alaska’s top-paying city for RNs, offers an average annual salary of $96,160. The state’s remote location, high cost of living, and demand for nurses drive competitive RN salaries.
6. Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks sixth among the highest-paying states for RNs. RNs in the state earn an average annual salary of $96,630, which is 22.4% higher than the national average. The lowest 10th percentile of RNs make $61,180 annually, while the top 10th percentile earns $151,310.
Top cities for average RN salaries in Massachusetts are:
– Boston — Cambridge — Nashua, MA-NH: $99,950
– Barnstable Town: $91,240
– Leominster — Gardner: $88,940
Massachusetts stands out with a cost-of-living index of 127.2. Despite its small size, the state boasts nine hospital systems with Magnet designation, indicating nursing excellence and influencing RN salaries.
7. Washington
Washington secures the seventh position among the highest-paying states for nurses. The average annual salary for RNs in the state is $95,350, or $45.84 per hour. The 90th percentile of RNs in Washington earns up to $127,320 per year.
Top metropolitan areas for RN salaries in Washington are:
– Seattle — Tacoma — Bellevue: $99,310
– Spokane — Spokane Valley: $92,620
– Wenatchee: $91,470
Washington’s competitive housing market contributes to its high cost of living, with a regional price parity of 107.4 compared to the national average of 100. Adjusted for this, the average RN salary becomes $88,294.
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8. New York
New York holds the eighth spot among the highest-paying states for nurses. RNs in the state earn an average annual salary of $93,320, equivalent to $44.86 per hour. Top-paying cities in New York include:
– New York — Newark — Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA: $98,460
– Buffalo — Cheektowaga — Niagara Falls: $80,740
– Kingston: $78,080
New York’s higher living expenses, especially in cities like New York City and Buffalo, contribute to its increased cost of living. However, the state’s demand for nurses is evident, with a projected employment growth rate of 24.6% between 2018 and 2028.
9. New Jersey
New Jersey ranks ninth among the highest-paying states for nurses. The mean yearly salary for RNs in New Jersey is $89,690, or $43.12 per hour. Salaries vary from $70,920 for the lowest 10th percentile to $117,990 and above for the top 10th percentile.
Top cities for average RN salaries in New Jersey include:
– Trenton: $86,330
– Atlantic City — Hammonton: $84,550
– Vineland — Bridgeton: $82,210
– Ocean City: $80,450
New Jersey’s cost of living index surpasses the national average by 11.2%. When adjusted, the average RN salary in New Jersey becomes $79,645.
10. Nevada
Nevada ranks tenth among the highest-paying states for nurses. The average annual salary for RNs in Nevada is $88,800, or $42.69 per hour. Top-paying cities for RNs in Nevada are:
– Las Vegas — Henderson — Paradise: $90,230
– Carson City: $86,410
– Reno: $84,590
Nevada’s strong demand for nurses leads to higher RN salaries, with an employment growth rate projected at 22.3% between 2018 and 2028, compared to the national average of 9%.
11. Connecticut
According to BLS data from May 2021, Connecticut’s RNs earned an average annual salary of $88,530, which equates to $42.56 per hour. In contrast, the average annual salary across the state for all occupations was notably lower, at $66,130 per year.
Top-paying cities in Connecticut include:
– Danbury: $94,370
– Bridgeport — Stamford — Norwalk: $90,950
– Norwich — New London — Westerly, CT-RI: $89,250
– New Haven: $89,530
– Waterbury: $85,670
With a reported Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 103.4 by the Bureau of Economic Advancement, Connecticut’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average of 100. This adjustment leads to an average adjusted income of $85,520 for RNs in Connecticut.
12. Rhode Island
Rhode Island takes the 12th position among the top 15 highest-paying states for nurses. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for RNs in Rhode Island is $85,270, or $40.99 per hour. Those in the lowest 10% of earners reported salaries of $61,340 and below, while the top 10% of earners made $101,650 and above.
The BLS compiles data from both Providence, Rhode Island and Warwick, Massachusetts to determine the highest-paying city for RNs in Rhode Island, which has an average annual salary of $85,200.
Despite being the smallest U.S. state, Rhode Island’s RPP is slightly higher than the national average at 101.8. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects a shortage of 100 nurses between 2014 and 2030, creating increased demand for RNs in the state.
13. Minnesota
Minnesota ranks 13th in the list of top-paying states for nurses. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for RNs in Minnesota is $84,030, or $40.40 per hour. This figure significantly surpasses the mean annual salary for all occupations in the state, which stands at $60,480—more than $24,000 higher.
Top-paying cities for RNs in Minnesota include:
– St. Cloud: $87,350
– Minneapolis — St. Paul — Bloomington, MN-WI: $86,690
– Rochester: $86,470
Minnesota’s thriving demand for nurses within renowned healthcare facilities, such as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, contributes to the increased RN salary. The BLS projects a 12.4% growth in RN jobs in Minnesota between 2018 and 2028.
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14. Maryland
Maryland secures the 14th spot among the top 15 highest-paying states for nurses. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for RNs in Maryland is $82,660, or $39.74 per hour. The salary range across the state spans from $60,420 for the lowest-paid 10% of RNs to $101,650 for the highest-earning 10%.
Top-paying cities for RNs in Maryland include:
– Baltimore — Columbia — Towson: $83,080
– California — Lexington Park: $77,880
– Salisbury, MD-DE: $77,400
Maryland’s cost-of-living index of 113 contributes to higher RN salaries. Additionally, the state’s demand for nurses is on the rise, with an 11.2% increase reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
15. Arizona
Arizona occupies the 15th position among the top-paying states for RN salaries in the U.S. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021 indicates that the average annual salary for RNs in Arizona is $81,600, or $39.23 per hour. Earners in the top 90th percentile reported salaries of $100,200 and above.
The highest-paying cities for RNs across the state are:
– Prescott: $84,930
– Phoenix — Mesa — Scottsdale: $82,630
– Yuma: $80,770
Due to the state’s significant elderly population, Arizona’s demand for nurses remains strong. Approximately 32% of the residents are over 50 years old, which amounts to more than 2 million seniors and elderly citizens in need of healthcare services.
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