upper level job

Hourly Wage for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salary in the United States

How much does a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $73,600.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $43 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32 to $40 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salaries

A Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $92,830
  • San Francisco: $91,810
  • Oakland: $89,880

What Skills Can Increase a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.92% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 2.24% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.92%
Pediatric 2.93%
Basic Life Support 2.24%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1's salary.

  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Confidentiality $76,544
4%
Leadership $76,544
4%
Effective Communication $75,808
3%

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,851. While startup companies pay approximate $69,356.

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,356
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,323
Established 501~5000 $79,064
Enterprise 5000+ $81,851

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Registered Nurse (RN), Level positions in Software & Networking or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$88,320$42.020%
Biotechnology$84,640$41.015%
Insurance$80,960$39.010%
Healthcare$77,280$37.05%

Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$65,970
Average $73,600/year
$82,240
$5,498
Average $6,133/month
$6,853
$1,269
Average $1,415/week
$1,582
$32
Average $35/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,240 $6,853 $1,582 $40
Average $73,600 $6,133 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $65,970 $5,498 $1,269 $32

Most common benefits for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

Here are companies hiring for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Registered Nurse (RN), Level 1 roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What does RN-1 mean?

RN I (RN 1) refers to an entry-level position for newly graduated registered nurses. At this level, RNs provide care under the supervision of more experienced healthcare staff. The salary range for RN Level 1 is approximately $64,440 to $80,110, with a mid-salary of $71,070.

3. What is level 1 in nursing?

Level 1 in nursing typically refers to entry-level positions, such as a Registered Nurse (RN) Level 1. RNs at this level earn a salary ranging from $64,440 to $80,110, with a median salary of $71,070. They provide essential patient care, support, and assistance under the supervision of more experienced nursing staff.

4. What state has the lowest RN salary?

The states with the lowest average RN salaries include Alabama, Arkansas, and South Dakota, with average wages of $66,910, $66,530, and $64,500, respectively. Compared to the RN Level 1 salary range, which starts at $64,440, these states are close to the minimum salary for this position. It's essential to factor in the cost of living when evaluating these figures.

5. How many hours do nurses work a week?

On average, full-time nurses typically work between 36 to 40 hours per week, often in 12-hour shifts. This can lead to a schedule of 36 to 48 hours per week, depending on the number of shifts worked. Registered Nurse (RN) Level 1 salaries range from $64,440 to $80,110, with a mid-salary of $71,070, reflecting the demanding nature of their work.

6. What is the salary of an entry level RN in the US?

The salary for an entry-level Registered Nurse (RN) in the U.S. typically ranges from $64,440 to $80,110, with a median salary of $71,070. For comparison, related positions like Entry Level Medical Spa RN can earn around $87,868 annually, while Entry Level Nurse averages $80,321.

7. What is first level RN in USA?

The first level Registered Nurse (RN) in the USA typically earns a salary ranging from $64,440 to $80,110, with a median salary of $71,070. This role involves providing essential patient care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities, ensuring patients receive the support they need for recovery and well-being.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst