Salary Guides/Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse Salary Guide

Real salary ranges for Registered Nurses in the US market — what you should expect, and what you can negotiate.

Salary Ranges

25TH PERCENTILE

$58,000

Entry-level or lower cost-of-living markets

50TH PERCENTILE

$77,000

Median — most roles fall here

75TH PERCENTILE

$98,000

Experienced, larger market or company

90TH PERCENTILE

$125,000

Top earners, premium markets

RN compensation is driven significantly by specialization, with ICU and ER nurses commanding 15-25% premiums over medical-surgical roles, while travel nursing offers 20-40% higher hourly rates. Geographic variation is substantial, with coastal markets and high cost-of-living areas offering 30-50% premiums compared to rural regions.

Top-Paying Cities

San Francisco, CA$130,000

San Jose, CA$125,000

New York, NY$115,000

Boston, MA$110,000

Seattle, WA$108,000

Top-Paying Industries

Travel Nursing$105,000

Specialty Hospitals (ICU/Trauma)$95,000

Emergency Departments$92,000

University Medical Centers$88,000

Community Hospitals$72,000

Negotiation Tip for Registered Nurses

Quantify your specialization value by citing ICU/ER/trauma certifications and document your shift history; employers often add $3,000-$8,000 annually for premium shift differentials (nights, weekends) that aren't always advertised in base salary.

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