The Top 10 Highest Paying States for Nurses can be useful for registered nurses who are comparing career opportunities, relocation options, and potential earning levels across the United States. Nurse salaries vary considerably by state, and factors such as location, experience, specialty, employer, work setting, and local labor conditions can affect actual compensation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses had a national mean annual wage of $101,420 in May 2025. State-level mean wages ranged from about $77,000 in the lowest-paying states to $150,280 in California.
The rankings below use annual mean wages for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) from BLS May 2025 data. These figures represent average wages rather than guaranteed salaries for individual nurses.
In This Article
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Nurses
The following states reported the highest mean annual wages for registered nurses among the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the May 2025 BLS data.
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $150,280 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $124,340 |
| 3 | Oregon | $123,140 |
| 4 | Washington | $121,540 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $117,960 |
| 6 | Alaska | $114,870 |
| 7 | New York | $113,440 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $110,100 |
| 9 | Nevada | $105,710 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $105,250 |
These figures are based on BLS May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data.
California
California ranks first among the highest-paying states for registered nurses based on the May 2025 BLS mean annual wage.
Average RN Salary in California
Registered nurses in California had a mean annual wage of approximately $150,280, with a mean hourly wage of about $72.25.
California also has one of the largest nursing workforces in the country. The state’s healthcare system includes major hospitals, academic medical centers, outpatient facilities, specialty clinics, and other healthcare organizations.
Why California Pays Nurses More
Several factors can influence California’s relatively high RN wages, including labor-market conditions, healthcare demand, geographic differences, and the concentration of healthcare employers in major metropolitan areas.
However, a high salary does not automatically mean higher purchasing power. California also includes some of the country’s more expensive housing and living markets.
Nurses considering California should therefore compare salary with housing, transportation, taxes, benefits, and other expenses.
Hawaii
Hawaii is another state where registered nurses report relatively high average wages.
Average RN Salary in Hawaii
The BLS May 2025 data places Hawaii’s mean annual RN wage at approximately $124,340.
Healthcare professionals are needed across Hawaii’s hospital systems, outpatient facilities, long-term care settings, and community healthcare organizations.
Consider the Cost of Living
Hawaii’s high RN wages need to be considered alongside its cost of living. Housing, transportation, food, and other everyday expenses can be substantially different from those in many mainland locations.
Nurses considering relocation should evaluate the complete compensation package rather than focusing only on the advertised salary.
Oregon
Oregon ranks among the highest-paying states for registered nurses based on mean annual wages.
Average RN Salary in Oregon
Registered nurses in Oregon had a mean annual wage of approximately $123,140 in the May 2025 BLS data.
The state offers nursing opportunities across hospitals, outpatient care, long-term care, community healthcare, and other settings.
Nursing Opportunities in Oregon
Oregon has healthcare employment opportunities in both metropolitan and regional areas. Nurses may find positions in specialties ranging from medical-surgical nursing to emergency care, critical care, behavioral health, and community-based services.
Salary can vary substantially by employer, specialty, experience, and geographic area.
Washington
Washington is another state with relatively high registered nurse wages.
Average RN Salary in Washington
The May 2025 BLS data reports a mean annual wage of approximately $121,540 for registered nurses in Washington.
The state has a large healthcare workforce and includes major metropolitan healthcare markets as well as smaller communities.
What Nurses Should Consider
Washington offers a variety of nursing environments, including hospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities, long-term care organizations, and public healthcare settings.
As with other high-paying states, nurses should compare salaries with housing costs and other expenses in the specific city or region where they plan to work.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is another state where registered nurses earn significantly above the national mean.
Average RN Salary in Massachusetts
Registered nurses in Massachusetts had a mean annual wage of approximately $117,960 in May 2025.
The state has a large healthcare and academic medical sector, particularly around the Boston metropolitan area.
Healthcare Career Opportunities
Nurses may find opportunities in major hospitals, teaching institutions, specialty centers, outpatient facilities, rehabilitation services, and community healthcare organizations.
Massachusetts can therefore provide opportunities for nurses interested in clinical practice as well as specialized and advanced healthcare environments.
Alaska
Alaska ranks sixth among the highest-paying states for registered nurses based on the May 2025 mean wage.
Average RN Salary in Alaska
The BLS May 2025 data reports a mean annual wage of approximately $114,870 for registered nurses in Alaska.
Nursing in Alaska
Alaska’s geography creates a healthcare environment that differs from many other states. Healthcare organizations serve both urban populations and communities that may be geographically isolated.
Nurses may work in hospitals, community health centers, rural healthcare facilities, public health settings, and other environments.
Consider Location Carefully
Nurses interested in Alaska should consider more than salary. Geography, transportation, weather, housing availability, and distance from major population centers can all affect the experience of living and working in the state.
New York
New York is one of the largest healthcare markets in the United States and ranks among the highest-paying states for registered nurses.
Average RN Salary in New York
Registered nurses in New York had a mean annual wage of approximately $113,440 in May 2025.
The state also employs a large number of registered nurses across hospitals, outpatient facilities, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and other healthcare settings.
Nursing Careers in New York
New York offers opportunities in numerous nursing specialties. Nurses can find positions in major urban hospitals, community hospitals, specialty centers, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health.
Pay can vary considerably between metropolitan and rural areas, as well as between employers and specialties.
New Jersey
New Jersey is another high-paying state for registered nurses.
Average RN Salary in New Jersey
The May 2025 BLS data reports a mean annual wage of approximately $110,100 for registered nurses in New Jersey.
The state’s location near major healthcare markets in New York and Philadelphia contributes to a large and diverse healthcare employment environment.
Opportunities for Registered Nurses
Nurses can find employment in hospitals, outpatient centers, physician offices, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care, home health, and other healthcare organizations.
Nurses considering New Jersey should compare wages by metropolitan area because compensation and living expenses can differ considerably within the state.
Nevada
Nevada is also among the states with the highest average RN wages.
Average RN Salary in Nevada
Registered nurses in Nevada had a mean annual wage of approximately $105,710 according to May 2025 BLS data.
Nursing Opportunities in Nevada
Nevada’s healthcare workforce serves both permanent residents and large visitor populations. Nurses may work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare environments.
Las Vegas and surrounding areas represent an important healthcare employment market, while other parts of the state offer different opportunities and living conditions.
Connecticut
Connecticut completes the list of the 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses based on mean annual wages.
Average RN Salary in Connecticut
Registered nurses in Connecticut had a mean annual wage of approximately $105,250 in May 2025.
Nursing Opportunities in Connecticut
Connecticut has healthcare employment opportunities across hospitals, specialty centers, outpatient facilities, nursing care organizations, and community healthcare services.
Its location in the Northeast also places it within a broader regional healthcare market that includes New York and Massachusetts.
How Much Do Nurses Make in the United States?
The national RN salary provides useful context when comparing high-paying states.
National RN Salary
According to the BLS, the national mean annual wage for registered nurses was $101,420 in May 2025. The national median annual wage was $97,550, meaning half of registered nurses earned more than that amount and half earned less.
The highest-paid 10% of registered nurses earned more than $137,470 annually at the national level.
These numbers demonstrate why state location can make a substantial difference in potential RN earnings.
What Factors Affect Nurse Salaries?
State is only one factor that affects how much a nurse can earn.
Nursing Specialty
Specialty can influence compensation. Nurses working in specialized clinical areas may have different salary ranges from nurses in general nursing positions.
Experience, certifications, responsibilities, and employer requirements can also affect compensation.
Experience Level
Experienced nurses may earn more than entry-level nurses, although pay structures differ among employers.
Additional clinical experience can help nurses qualify for specialty positions, leadership roles, and other career opportunities.
Education and Credentials
Education and professional credentials can influence eligibility for certain positions.
Some employers may offer different compensation structures depending on education, specialty certification, leadership responsibilities, or advanced qualifications.
Work Setting
Nurses can work in hospitals, outpatient care, physician offices, nursing care facilities, home healthcare, educational institutions, government agencies, and other settings.
BLS data shows that registered nurse wages also vary by industry. In May 2025, the national mean annual wage for RNs was highest in government settings among the major industries listed by BLS.
Why Are Nurse Salaries Higher in Some States?
Nurse salaries can vary considerably from one state to another, and there is no single factor that explains these differences. Compensation is influenced by the local economy, healthcare workforce demand, cost of living, employer competition, geographic location, and the types of healthcare services available in an area.
Cost of Living
Cost of living is an important factor when comparing nursing salaries. States with higher wages may also have higher costs for housing, transportation, food, childcare, and other everyday expenses.
For example, a nurse earning a higher annual salary in an expensive metropolitan area may not necessarily have greater purchasing power than a nurse earning less in a more affordable location.
BLS wage estimates provide information about earnings but do not directly measure the purchasing power of those wages in each state. Nurses should therefore consider local expenses when comparing potential employment locations.
Healthcare Demand
Demand for qualified nurses can also influence compensation. Healthcare organizations may compete for experienced professionals when there are staffing challenges or strong demand for nursing services.
Hospitals, specialty centers, outpatient facilities, long-term care organizations, and other healthcare employers may offer different compensation packages depending on their workforce needs.
Demand can also vary by nursing specialty. Positions requiring specialized experience, certifications, or advanced clinical skills may have different salary structures from general nursing positions.
Geographic Differences
Nurse salaries can vary significantly within the same state. Large metropolitan areas, suburban communities, rural regions, and remote locations may have different labor markets and compensation levels.
For example, a major city may have numerous hospitals competing for nursing professionals, while a rural community may offer different incentives to attract qualified staff.
High Salary vs. Cost of Living
When comparing the highest-paying states for nurses, salary should not be the only consideration.
Look Beyond the Annual Wage
A nurse earning $120,000 in one location may have a different standard of living from a nurse earning $100,000 somewhere else.
Important factors include:
- Housing costs
- State and local taxes
- Transportation
- Health insurance
- Childcare
- Food expenses
- Retirement benefits
- Paid time off
- Shift differentials
- Overtime opportunities
A complete financial comparison should consider both income and expenses.
How to Choose a High-Paying State for Nursing
Nurses considering relocation can use a systematic approach to compare opportunities.
Compare Actual Job Offers
State-level salary data provides a useful starting point, but individual job offers are more relevant when making an employment decision.
Compare base salary, differentials, bonuses, benefits, scheduling, overtime policies, retirement contributions, and other compensation.
Research the Local Job Market
Look at specific cities and regions rather than evaluating an entire state based on one average.
Major metropolitan areas can have different wage and cost-of-living patterns from rural communities.
Consider Career Growth
A slightly different starting salary may be offset by stronger opportunities for specialty training, leadership development, continuing education, or advancement.
Nurses should consider both current compensation and potential career development.
Which state pays nurses the most?
Based on BLS May 2025 mean annual wage data, California had the highest mean annual wage for registered nurses at approximately $150,280 per year. This figure represents the statewide mean and should not be interpreted as the salary every nurse in California receives.
Individual earnings can vary depending on experience, specialty, employer, geographic location, and work setting.
What is the average RN salary in the United States?
According to the BLS, the national mean annual wage for registered nurses was approximately $101,420 in May 2025. The national figure provides a useful benchmark when comparing state-level nursing salaries.
However, average wages do not necessarily reflect the exact salary a nurse can expect from a particular employer.
Do nurses earn more in California?
California reported the highest state mean annual wage for registered nurses in the May 2025 BLS data. However, salary is only one part of the financial picture.
Housing, transportation, taxes, healthcare expenses, and other costs can vary significantly within California. Nurses should compare total compensation and estimated living expenses before making a relocation decision.
Is a high-paying state always better financially?
Not necessarily. A higher salary may be accompanied by higher living expenses. A nurse should consider housing costs, taxes, transportation, insurance, childcare, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other financial factors.
Comparing purchasing power can provide a more useful picture than comparing salaries alone.
Can nurses earn more through specialization?
Yes, specialization can influence earning potential, although there is no universal salary increase for every specialty. Experience, certifications, education, shift differentials, employer, work setting, and geographic location can all affect compensation.
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Final Thoughts:
The Top 10 Highest Paying States for Nurses provide useful information for registered nurses researching salary differences across the United States. Based on the latest BLS May 2025 data, California has the highest mean annual RN wage, followed by Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Alaska, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Connecticut.
However, salary should not be the only factor when choosing where to work. Cost of living, employer benefits, nursing specialty, career advancement, working conditions, scheduling, and local job availability can all affect the overall value of a nursing position.
For nurses considering relocation, the best approach is to use state salary data as a starting point and then compare actual job offers, local expenses, professional opportunities, and long-term career goals.
