Registered Nurse Salary: 2021 BLS Data – Median, Range & Top States

RN Earnings: BLS May 2021 Update

Median annual wage: $77,600 ($37.31/hr).

Percentile Range

• 10th: <$51,560
• 25th: ~$61,790
• 75th: ~$97,580
• 90th: >$118,040

Top States (2021 Median)

1. California: $116,040
2. Hawaii: $108,430
3. New York: $107,670
4. Massachusetts: $104,150
5. Oregon: $98,630

By Work Setting (2021 Median)

• Government: $85,970
• Hospitals (state/local/private): $82,750
• Outpatient care: $81,200
• Nursing care facilities: $69,300
• Home health: $70,820
• Physician offices: $75,330
• Education: $65,760

APRN Medians (2021)

• Nurse Anesthetists: $195,610
• Nurse Practitioners: $120,680
• Nurse Midwives: $112,830
• Clinical Nurse Specialists: $95,480

Drivers of Variation

• Geography (cost of living, demand, union density).
• Experience (clinical ladder steps).
• Education (BSN vs ADN; MSN/DNP for APRN).
• Specialty certification (CCRN, CNOR, OCN, etc.).
• Shift/weekend/on-call differentials.

2023 median: $81,220. Trend: ~3–4% annual growth.