Senior Registered Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Registered Nurse in the United States is $80,755 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Senior Registered Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,666
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,937 to $87,513
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,640
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View as table View as graph 25% $74,937 10% $69,640 90% $93,666 75% $87,513 $80,755 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Senior Registered Nurse Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,513 $7,293 $1,683 $42
Average $80,755 $6,730 $1,553 $39
25th Percentile $74,937 $6,245 $1,441 $36
Check out Senior Registered Nurse Job Openings in the United States
Registered Nurse

Acadia Healthcare - Columbus, OH

Registered Nurse

RI International - Columbus, OH

Registered Nurse

DaVita Inc - Columbus, OH

REGISTERED NURSE

1st Choice Family Services - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Senior Registered Nurse Salaries

A Senior Registered Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Senior Registered Nurse Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Senior Registered Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $89,412.
  • California: $89,073.
  • Massachusetts: $87,886.

Top Paying Cities for Senior Registered Nurses

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: $101,857
  • San Francisco: $100,742
  • Oakland: $98,618

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Registered Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 5.16% 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.
  • Nursing Process (Mentioned in 3.34% Job Postings): The nursing process is a modified scientific method. Nursing practise was first described as a four-stage nursing process by Ida Jean Orlando in 1958.
  • Long Term Care (Mentioned in 1.96% Job Postings): Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Long term care is focused on individualized and coordinated services that promote independence, maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time. It is common for long-term care to provide custodial and non-skilled care, such as assisting with normal daily tasks like dressing, feeding, using the bathroom. Increasingly, long-term care involves providing a level of medical care that requires the expertise of skilled practitioners to address the multiple chronic conditions associated with older populations. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. Long-term care may be needed by people of any age, although it is a more common need for senior citizens.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 5.16%
Nursing Process 3.34%
Long Term Care 1.96%
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 Senior Registered Nurse's salary.
  • Telemetry: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Telemetry
$83,178
3%
Accountability
$82,371
2%
Dedication
$82,371
2%
Partnering
$82,371
2%
Innovation
$82,371
2%
Commitment
$82,371
2%
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Senior Registered Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Registered Nurse roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Senior Registered Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Registered Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Registered Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$92,869$45.015%
Biotechnology$90,850$44.012%
Energy & Utilities$86,812$42.07%
Insurance$84,793$41.05%

How Education impacts a Senior Registered Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Registered Nurses enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Senior Registered Nurse with a Associate's Degree is between $81,300 and $85,864).

Senior Registered Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Registered Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 2.1%
Associates 43.3%
Bachelors 48.9%
Masters 5.3%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Senior Registered Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Registered Nurse'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Senior Registered Nurse

Salaries for a Senior Registered Nurse can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $72,229 in 2023 to around $72,389 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Senior Registered Nurse salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Senior Registered Nurse Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$72,229
2024
$72,850
2025
$72,389
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $72,229
2024 $72,850
2025 $72,389
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Senior Registered Nurse

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Senior Registered Nurse

Here are companies hiring for Senior Registered Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Senior Registered Nurse Job

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

United States
  • Voyage Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Voyage Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Travel Nurse Opportunity In Columbus, OH. We desire a Registered Nurse who has OR skills and will take a job in Columbus, OH. This assignment requires the ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Sapphire Rehabilitation & Care Center

    Columbus, OH

    Sapphire Rehabilitation & Care Center | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Sapphire Care and Rehabilitation is seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) with a passion for delivering exceptional care for ou... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Scioto Rehabilitation & Care Center

    Columbus, OH

    Scioto Rehabilitation & Care Center | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job description. NOW OFFER DAILY & NEXT DAY PAY OPTION. Essential Key Duties and Responsibilities. Ohio Registered Nurse ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ambulatory Surgery Center

    Columbus, OH

    Ambulatory Surgery Center | Columbus, OH

    Surgical Team Member. Proactively participates as a team member in support of the total surgical process. Organizes time, equipment, supplies, and personne... more

    4 Days Ago

  • The Laurels of Norworth

    Columbus, OH

    The Laurels of Norworth | Columbus, OH

    Are you a critical thinker, a skilled communicator and passionate about caring for seniors. Are you seeking career advancement. As a Registered Nurse (RN) ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • COA ASC of Franklin County Limited

    Columbus, OH

    COA ASC of Franklin County Limited | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TASKS and. RESPONSIBILITIESProactively. participates as a team member in support of the total surgical ... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Senior Registered Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Senior Registered Nurse?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Registered Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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