Registered Nurse (RN) Salary in the United States

How much does the average Registered Nurse (RN) make in the United States?


The average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States is between $62,790 and $112,630 as of April 24, 2024. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the actual Registered Nurse (RN) position you are looking for. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. View the Cost of Living in Major Cities

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Base Salary

Core compensation

$62,790
$112,630
$87,710

What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?

A registered nurse cares for patients in various settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, schools, and physician's offices. Nurses work together with other medical professionals to administer treatments and to monitor and record the condition of patients as they are treated. Nurses are also educators, helping patients and their families understand the treatments and medications they are receiving. Nurses may have specialized skills and training required to care for different populations of patients for example pediatrics, critical care, cardiology, or surgery.


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Entry Registered Nurse - Staff
Alternate Job Titles: Entry Registered Nurse - Staff | Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records obs... View job details

Intermediate Registered Nurse - Staff
Alternate Job Titles: Intermediate Registered Nurse - Staff | Registered Nurse (RN), Level 2

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records obs... View job details

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1
Alternate Job Titles: Entry Registered Nurse - Staff | Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records obs... View job details

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 2
Alternate Job Titles: Intermediate Registered Nurse - Staff | Registered Nurse (RN), Level 2

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records obs... View job details

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 3
Alternate Job Titles: Registered Nurse (RN), Level 3 | Senior Registered Nurse - Staff

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records obs... View job details

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Registered Nurse (RN)

What degree or educational requirements does a registered nurse need?

Registered nurses may have either an associate's degree, (ADN), or a bachelor's degree (BSN). Courses in biology, anatomy, psychology, pharmacology, and statistics are standard. Clinical work is also part of the curriculum for either degree. In addition to the completion of a degree program, to become a registered nurse the rigorous National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) must be passed before a license from the state is granted.

What are the best schools offering nursing programs?

Some of the schools with top-rated nursing programs are University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Villanova University, Saint Louis University, University of Portland, Georgetown University, Duke University, New York University, and Northeastern University. For the ADN program, community colleges are the best choice. There are also programs for those individuals who already have a Bachelor's degree in another major that offer an accelerated track to a BSN as well as programs for practicing RN's to achieve the BSN. The Mass General Institute of Health Professions offers one of those programs. A general hiring trend for registered nurses is that more employers are preferring or even requiring the BSN degree. Increasing the demand for those programs.

Are registered nurses in demand?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS), employment of registered nurses, in general, is projected to grow about 15 percent from 2016 to 2026. The demand for registered nurses will be strong as the population ages and more healthcare services become available, and older nurses retire.

What jobs are similar to or related to a registered nurse?

Nursing management roles such as nurse leader, charge nurse, head nurse, nursing officer. Nursing educators are sometimes referred to as preceptor, which is a practicing nurse that also educates and mentors new nurses. Clinical nurse specialist is nurses with advanced degrees in a specialty.

Where can I find more information about registered nurse training and career opportunities?


MGH Institute of Health Professions
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
American Nurses Association
American Society of Registered Nurses
National Student Nurses's Association

What is the working environment for a registered nurse?

A registered nurse typically works in a clinical setting such as a hospital, or a care facility like a nursing home, rehabilitation or out patient clinic. Nurses may also work in doctor's offices. Some nurses might visit patients in a home setting. It is typical for registered nurses working a hospital to work various shifts as patient care is delivered 24 hours a day.

Registered Nurse (RN) Jobs

Job Openings for Registered Nurse (RN)
Psych Travel Nurse RN - $2034/Weekly
flexup DIRECT - Coos Bay , OR
Specialty: Psych RN * Travel Psych (Psych) Registered Nurse : Coos Bay, OR * Travel Nurse Salary Contact for details. * Start Date : May 28, 2024 * Travel Nursing Job Assignment Length : 13 weeks
Wanderly.us - Today
Travel Nurse RN - Med Surg / Telemetry - $2,122 per week
RNnetwork - Oregon City , OR
Discipline: RN * Start Date: 05/28/2024 * Duration: 12 weeks * 40 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, nights * Employment Type: Travel Dive into the dynamic world of medical/surgical and telemetry ...
Vivian Health - Today
Travel Nurse RN - ED - Emergency Department - $2,015 per week
Host Healthcare - Montgomery , AL
Discipline: RN * Start Date: 06/03/2024 * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours * Employment Type: Travel Host Healthcare is an award-winning travel healthcare company with an ...
Vivian Health - Today
Travel Nurse RN - ICU - Intensive Care Unit - $1,988 per week
Aureus Medical Group - Nursing - Albuquerque , NM
Discipline: RN * Start Date: ASAP * Duration: 16 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, nights * Employment Type: Travel Estimated payment breakdown ~$1880.00-$1988.00/wk* ~$612.00-$720.00 in ...
Vivian Health - Today
Travel Nurse RN - Med Surg / Telemetry - $1,855 per week
Ardor Health Solutions - Murphy , NC
Discipline: RN * Start Date: 06/03/2024 * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours, nights * Employment Type: Travel * Location: HUNTERSVILLE, NC * Setting: Hospital * Employment Type
Vivian Health - Today
Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry - $2,008 per week
Wellspring Nurse Source - Salisbury , NC
Wellspring Nurse Source is seeking a travel nurse RN Telemetry for a travel nursing job in Salisbury, North Carolina. Job Description & Requirements * Specialty: Telemetry * Discipline: RN * Start ...
Vivian Health - Today