Registered Nurse Salary: 2020 Data & State-by-State Breakdown

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $73,300 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $53,000, and the highest 10% earned more than $111,710.

The average hourly wage for registered nurses was $35.24 in May 2020.

The median annual wage for registered nurses varies depending on the state in which they work. For example, in California, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $111,810 in May 2020, while in Mississippi, the median annual wage was $55,780.

Registered nurses with more experience typically earn higher wages. For example, registered nurses with 20 years of experience earned a median annual wage of $86,840 in May 2020, while registered nurses with less than 1 year of experience earned a median annual wage of $59,360.

Registered nurses who work in certain specialties also typically earn higher wages. For example, registered nurses who work in critical care units earned a median annual wage of $88,400 in May 2020, while registered nurses who work in obstetrics and gynecology units earned a median annual wage of $78,410.