Registered Nurse Salaries

Updated on Jun 05, 2025
Position
Salary

How much does a Registered Nurse make?

The average salary for a Registered Nurse is $91,156 per year in the US.

Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in healthcare. They provide care and support to patients in various settings. RNs can expect to earn a good salary. The average salary for a Registered Nurse is around $91,156 per year. This figure can vary based on experience, location, and specialty.

RNs often start with a salary between $54,000 and $62,800. With more experience, salaries can increase. Experienced RNs can earn between $106,800 and $150,800 annually. Some RNs may earn even more, especially in specialized fields or high-demand areas. Factors like education, certifications, and hospital type can also affect salary.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Registered Nurse?

Job seekers looking to become registered nurses can find some of the highest pay in California cities. San Francisco leads with an average salary of $137,864. Other top cities include Modesto, Stockton, and Sacramento, all offering salaries above $124,000. Minneapolis, MN, also provides a competitive salary of $126,705. These cities offer excellent opportunities for those in the nursing field. The high salaries reflect the demand for skilled nurses and the cost of living in these areas. Job seekers should consider these locations when looking for the best pay and career growth.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Registered Nurse jobs, highlighting San Francisco, CA with the highest at $137,864 and San Diego, CA with the lowest at $120,996.
  1. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $137,864
    In San Francisco, nurses work in top-tier hospitals like UCSF Health. The city offers a vibrant environment with diverse patient populations. Opportunities for professional growth are abundant.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in San Francisco, CA


  2. Modesto, CA
    Average Salary: $128,391
    Modesto provides a welcoming atmosphere for nurses. Local hospitals like Memorial Medical Center offer excellent care. The community is tight-knit, making it a great place to build a career.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Modesto, CA


  3. Stockton, CA
    Average Salary: $128,302
    Stockton is a growing city with many healthcare opportunities. Nurses can work at facilities like St. Joseph's Medical Center. The area offers a balance of urban and suburban life.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Stockton, CA


  4. Minneapolis, MN
    Average Salary: $126,705
    Minneapolis offers a dynamic healthcare scene. Nurses can find positions at renowned institutions like Mayo Clinic. The city's strong economy supports a variety of healthcare needs.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Minneapolis, MN


  5. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $126,230
    Santa Rosa is known for its quality healthcare services. Nurses can work at facilities like Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital. The area offers a peaceful lifestyle with easy access to nature.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  6. Salinas, CA
    Average Salary: $125,199
    Salinas provides a supportive environment for nursing professionals. Local hospitals like Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System offer excellent care. The community is friendly and offers a good quality of life.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Salinas, CA


  7. San Jose, CA
    Average Salary: $124,680
    San Jose is a bustling city with many healthcare opportunities. Nurses can work at top facilities like Stanford Health Care. The area is known for its tech industry, offering unique healthcare experiences.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in San Jose, CA


  8. Sacramento, CA
    Average Salary: $124,227
    Sacramento offers a variety of healthcare settings. Nurses can find positions at hospitals like UC Davis Medical Center. The city's central location makes it a hub for professional development.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Sacramento, CA


  9. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $121,418
    Los Angeles provides a diverse and dynamic healthcare environment. Nurses can work at major institutions like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The city offers endless opportunities for career growth.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Los Angeles, CA


  10. San Diego, CA
    Average Salary: $120,996
    San Diego offers a vibrant healthcare scene. Nurses can find positions at facilities like Scripps Health. The city's beautiful weather and coastal location make it an attractive place to work.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in San Diego, CA

What are the best companies a Registered Nurse can work for?

Guadalupe Regional Medical Center offers one of the highest salaries for Registered Nurses, with an average annual pay of $269,047. The County of Santa Clara also provides a competitive salary, averaging $254,522 per year. Best Home Health Providers ranks third, offering an average salary of $242,796 annually. These top-paying companies provide excellent opportunities for those seeking rewarding and well-compensated nursing careers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Registered Nurse jobs, highlighting Guadalupe Regional Medical Center with the highest at $269,047 and excellent home care with the lowest at $187,000.
  1. Guadalupe Regional Medical Center
    Average Salary: $269,047
    Guadalupe Regional Medical Center offers competitive salaries for Registered Nurses. They provide a range of healthcare services and are known for their supportive work environment. The center is located in the heart of Texas.


  2. County of Santa Clara
    Average Salary: $254,522
    The County of Santa Clara provides excellent opportunities for Registered Nurses. They offer a variety of healthcare services and are committed to professional growth. This company operates in Santa Clara County, California.


  3. Best Home Health Providers
    Average Salary: $242,796
    Best Home Health Providers is known for its high-paying jobs for Registered Nurses. They focus on providing top-notch home care services. Their operations span across multiple states, ensuring diverse job opportunities.


  4. ACE Home Healthcare
    Average Salary: $220,000
    ACE Home Healthcare offers attractive salaries for Registered Nurses. They specialize in providing excellent home care services. Their services are available in several locations, making it a great choice for job seekers.


  5. Premier Home Health Providers, Inc.
    Average Salary: $208,152
    Premier Home Health Providers, Inc. provides competitive pay for Registered Nurses. They focus on delivering high-quality home health services. Their locations include various cities, offering flexibility for job seekers.


  6. Avalanche Care Inc.
    Average Salary: $200,000
    Avalanche Care Inc. offers a salary of $200,000 for Registered Nurses. They are dedicated to providing excellent care services. Their operations are spread across several regions, providing diverse job opportunities.


  7. CarePine Home Health
    Average Salary: $200,000
    CarePine Home Health offers a salary of $200,000 for Registered Nurses. They focus on delivering top-quality home health services. Their services are available in various locations, making it a great choice for job seekers.


  8. ACT-IT Consulting
    Average Salary: $200,000
    ACT-IT Consulting provides a salary of $200,000 for Registered Nurses. They are known for their supportive work environment and professional growth opportunities. Their services are available across multiple locations.


  9. San Francisco Department of Public Health
    Average Salary: $199,169
    The San Francisco Department of Public Health offers a salary of $199,169 for Registered Nurses. They provide a range of healthcare services and are committed to public health. Their operations are based in San Francisco, California.


  10. excellent home care
    Average Salary: $187,000
    Excellent Home Care offers a salary of $187,000 for Registered Nurses. They focus on providing high-quality home care services. Their services are available in several locations, offering flexibility for job seekers.

How to earn more as a Registered Nurse?

Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They can increase their earning potential by focusing on specific areas. These areas can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. RNs can take several steps to enhance their career and income.

First, consider specializing in a high-demand area. Specializations such as critical care, emergency nursing, or pediatrics often come with higher pay. These areas require additional training but can lead to more rewarding positions. Second, gaining advanced certifications can boost earnings. Certifications in areas like oncology or nephrology can make an RN more valuable to employers. Third, pursuing a higher education degree can open doors to higher-paying roles. A Master’s degree in Nursing can lead to positions such as Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Administrator. Fourth, seeking opportunities in higher-cost-of-living areas can increase salary. Cities with a higher demand for healthcare professionals often offer better pay. Finally, negotiating salary and benefits during job offers can lead to higher earnings. Researching market rates and being prepared to discuss compensation can make a difference.

By focusing on these areas, RNs can improve their career prospects and income. Specialization, certifications, education, location, and negotiation all play key roles in achieving higher earnings.

  1. Specialize in high-demand areas
  2. Gain advanced certifications
  3. Pursue higher education degrees
  4. Seek opportunities in higher-cost-of-living areas
  5. Negotiate salary and benefits

Currently 103,348 Registered Nurse job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Registered Nurse in the US?

Learn what a Registered Nurse does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Registered Nurse today.
Position
Overview
Registered Nurse
103,348 Job Openings