Imagine getting paid over $200,000 per year just for being a nurse. Sound too good to be true? For Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in some parts of the United States, that’s simply the going rate. And even for registered nurses in general, six-figure salaries are becoming increasingly common in certain cash códes across the country.
Whether you’re already a seasoned nurse or just getting started on your scrubs-wearing journey, get ready to have your minds blown. This deep-dive into the highest paying places for nurses may just reshape your entire career path.
The National Nurse Salary Landscape: An Overview
Before we dive into the golden salary codes, let’s get a bearing on the national landscape. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses across the United States currently sits at $82,750 per year. Not too shabby!
However, the median salary of $77,600 hints at the wide variances that exist. Some nurses are making considerably more, while others find themselves on the lower end of the spectrum. A major factor? An individual’s geographic location.
You see, depending on which amazing state or awe-inspiring city a nurse calls home, their salary potential can fluctuate wildly. We’re talking dizzying six-figure salaries in some nurse hot spots, and much more modest incomes in others. The biggest salary gulf between the highest and lowest paying states currently tops out at over $60,000 per year!
The Elite Cash Clubs: Top-Paying States for Nurses
If earning a premium salary is your goal, listen up! These are the elite cash clubs where nurses can truly rake it in right now. Illustrations of upward mobility in scrubs, if you will.
Drumroll, please… The state currently writing the biggest nursing paychecks is California, where the average RN salary soars to $124,000 per year. It’s like having your cake, eating it, and still managing to save enough for 10 more cakes!
Not to be outdone, Hawaii ($106,530) and Oregon ($98,630) secure the second and third place positions for nursing riches. Heck, you could practically fund your own private beach getaway on those types of salaries.
And let’s not overlook the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. ($98,540). Nurses there make enough to lobby for a total pay-to-play overhaul of the system. Though to be fair, the cost of living is likely off the charts too.
Rounding out the top five is Alaska at $97,230 on average. Maybe those heavy insulated scrubs they have to wear act like money blankets? Who knows, but it’s pretty fantastic either way.
Spending Power Exposed: Adjusting for Cost-of-Living
Of course, one person’s fortune is another’s275 pittance depending on the cost of essential expenses. A six-figure salary doesn’t pack the same purchasing punch if you’re living in an outrageously expensive city like San Francisco.
That’s why it’s crucial to adjust salaries based on an area’s cost-of-living to gauge the real spending power. This calculation accounts for relative costs of housing, groceries, transport and more. Trust us, it’s an eye-opening measure when comparing nurse salaries between cheaper areas like Mississippi versus expensive ones like Hawaii.
When nursing salaries are adjusted for cost-of-living, the order gets considerably reshuffled. California still leads the pack at $106,529, but we see more affordable states like Oregon ($96,131), Alaska ($92,512) and Nevada ($92,416) rise rapidly up the merit list.
Meanwhile, Hawaii ($89,296) tumbles from its previous #2 position despite retaining a very healthy cost-adjusted salary. See, those oceanfront views don’t come cheap! Who knew a good luau could put such a dent in your finances?
All 50 States Uncloaked: Your Personal Salary Lookup
Naturally, every nurse’s personal priorities and lifestyle will factor into where they’d most like to practice. Some may chase the highest salaries possible, while others emphasize a lower cost of living or desirable location amenities.
That’s why we’re uncloaking the data for ALL 50 states and showing the nurses’ salaries in each one. Use this table to look up your current state and see how it stacks up. Or, get a sneak peek into your future earnings if a move might be on the horizon.
| State | Average RN Salary | RNs Employed | Cost of Living Index | Salary Adjusted for COL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,920 | 49,780 | 89.3 | $69,339 |
| Alaska | $97,230 | 6,060 | 105.1 | $92,512 |
| Arizona | $81,600 | 57,260 | 99.1 | $82,341 |
| Arkansas | $65,810 | 26,320 | 89.2 | $73,778 |
| California | $124,000 | 324,400 | 116.4 | $106,529 |
| Colorado | $80,670 | 51,680 | 102.9 | $78,397 |
| Connecticut | $88,530 | 34,320 | 105 | $84,314 |
| Delaware | $77,760 | 11,760 | 99.4 | $78,397 |
| District of Columbia | $98,540 | 11,540 | 115.2 | $84,314 |
| Florida | $72,000 | 187,920 | 101 | $71,287 |
| Georgia | $75,380 | 78,290 | 94.5 | $79,767 |
| Hawaii | $106,530 | 11,110 | 119.3 | $89,296 |
| Idaho | $73,640 | 14,400 | 92.2 | $79,870 |
| Illinois | $78,260 | 129,260 | 100.5 | $77,871 |
| Indiana | $68,890 | 66,800 | 92.5 | $74,476 |
| Iowa | $64,990 | 32,650 | 91 | $71,418 |
| Kansas | $66,560 | 28,980 | 92.4 | $72,035 |
| Kentucky | $67,260 | 43,540 | 89.8 | $74,900 |
| Louisiana | $70,380 | 42,870 | 92.7 | $75,922 |
| Maine | $73,630 | 14,380 | 99.3 | $74,149 |
| Maryland | $82,660 | 51,550 | 107.7 | $76,750 |
| Massachusetts | $96,630 | 88,270 | 110.4 | $87,527 |
| Michigan | $75,930 | 102,480 | 94 | $80,777 |
| Minnesota | $84,030 | 69,000 | 98.6 | $85,223 |
| Mississippi | $63,130 | 29,140 | 87.8 | $71,902 |
| Missouri | $67,790 | 69,240 | 92.5 | $73,286 |
| Montana | $73,610 | 9,640 | 93.5 | $78,727 |
| Nebraska | $69,850 | 20,660 | 92.9 | $75,188 |
| Nevada | $88,800 | 24,590 | 97.4 | $82,491 |
| New Hampshire | $78,270 | 12,890 | 106.5 | $73,493 |
| New Jersey | $89,690 | 77,980 | 116 | $77,319 |
| New Mexico | $77,590 | 17,030 | 91.6 | $84,770 |
| New York | $93,320 | 188,300 | 116.3 | $80,241 |
| North Carolina | $71,200 | 104,810 | 91.8 | $71,748 |
| North Dakota | $71,200 | 11,810 | 92 | $77,391 |
| Ohio | $71,640 | 129,270 | 100 | $79,870 |
| Oklahoma | $68,180 | 31,510 | 91.3 | $74,677 |
| Oregon | $98,630 | 37,780 | 102.6 | $96,131 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,000 | 149,270 | 97.6 | $77,869 |
| Rhode Island | $85,270 | 10,860 | 101.8 | $83,762 |
| South Carolina | $69,580 | 46,160 | 91.6 | $75,961 |
| South Dakota | $60,540 | 14,140 | 91.5 | $66,623 |
| Tennessee | $66,680 | 62,250 | 92.2 | $72,321 |
| Texas | $79,120 | 217,630 | 99.5 | $79,518 |
| Utah | $72,790 | 23,760 | 96.5 | $75,430 |
| Vermont | $75,160 | 7,210 | 103.1 | $72,900 |
| Virginia | $76,680 | 66,980 | 101.3 | $75,696 |
| Washington | $95,350 | 62,470 | 108.4 | $80,805 |
| West Virginia | $67,640 | 19,800 | 88 | $76,864 |
| Wisconsin | $76,850 | 62,860 | 93.2 | $82,457 |
| Wyoming | $73,130 | 4,890 | 92.8 | $78,804 |
If you notice your state ranks lower than you’d like, don’t fret! This data merely represents current averages. With some savvy suburb or city selection, connections at premium employers, and relentless salary negotiation, you may be able to elevate your earnings beyond the norm.
Nurses Are Earning: Eye-Opening Job Examples
Of course, averagesonly tell part of the story. To really appreciate the salary potential within reach, you need to see some specifics. Here are just a few currently available positions showcasing how nurses are raking it in at the high end:
Nurse Manager – Operating Room/Surgical in Secaucus, NJ: $65,560 – $100,870/year Leading a surgical team doesn’t just require immense clinical skill, but some serious management chops too. For those elite multi-taskers, this top-dollar salary range awaits just outside New York City.
Operating Room/Surgical Nurse in Alameda, CA: $98,260 – $205,260/year
Yes, you read that maximum figure correctly – over $200K for an operating room nursing role! While the average falls around $150K, this opportunity highlights just how lucrative nursing can be in the Golden State, especially for in-demand specialties.
Operating Room/Surgical Nurse in Oakland, CA: $81,490 – $205,260/year
Not to be outdone by its surrounding sister cities, Oakland too offers precedent-shattering salaries for expert surgical nurses. The potential ceiling remains a stunning $205K+.
Registered Nurse – Renal Med/Surg in Winston-Salem, NC: $59,910 – $98,025/year For nurses treating medical/surgical and renal patients, this tempting salary range represents increasing opportunity in non-traditional coastal markets too. Winston-Salem exemplifies how nurses can earn top-dollar even beyond the highest-paying state boundaries.
Staff Nurse (RN) – Med/Surg in Rockville Centre, NY: $80,000 – $120,000/year
Forget any antiquated notions of nurses being underpaid. In prosperous areas like New York’s Rockville Centre, staff nurses on medical/surgical floors can easily command salaries surpassing six-figures. The suburban salary supremacy is real!
These are just a handful of examples, but they reinforce how nursing salaries have taken a major step up in recent years. From underappreciated to actively coveted, nurses are now positioned to truly get their earnings worth if opportunities are systematically explored.
Charting Your High-Income Course
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations – you’re now among the illuminated. You’ve had all the cash codes unveiled and can see clearly where nurses have the highest salary prospects across the country.
But knowledge alone won’t pay the bills or max out that retirement fund. Armed with these insights, modern nurses must take strategic action to capitalize.
For starters, nevereasing cast opportunities in your current city or state. Use this data to benchmark what you should really be earning. If local employers don’t meet that standard, maybe it’s time to explore higher-paying markets. Don’t be afraid of relocation if the salary upside is compelling enough.
Additionally, keep an eye out for chances to expand your skills and move into premium nursing roles. Operating rooms, elite medical/surgical units, and specialized nursing positions are where the biggest bucks get paid. Invest in yourself by pursuing extra certifications or advanced nursing degrees.
Finally, be sure to negotiatinging offers firmly. Too often nurses accept the first number thrown at them. With factual salary data in-hand, you’re empowered to counter rehabilitate offers that don’t align with the market.
The path towards higher nursing salaries has been decoded. Now it’s your turn to blaze a trail and start raking in the real money you deserve. The (cash) codes have been cracked – it’s time to cash in!
