As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Graduate Nurse in the US is $82,696, equivalent to $40 per hour, $1,590 weekly, or $6,891 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Graduate Nurse in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Graduate Nurse in the US vary widely, spanning from $72,270 to $97,297. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($77,239) and 75th percentile ($90,339), while top earners (90th percentile) make $97,297 per year. This $13,100 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Nursing Process, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Graduate Nurse often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 60 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Graduate Nurse Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Graduate Nurse Salary $72,270 US May 01, 2026
25th Percentile Graduate Nurse Salary $77,239 US May 01, 2026
50th Percentile Graduate Nurse Salary $82,696 US May 01, 2026
75th Percentile Graduate Nurse Salary $90,339 US May 01, 2026
90th Percentile Graduate Nurse Salary $97,297 US May 01, 2026
25% $77,239 10% $72,270 90% $97,297 75% $90,339 $82,696 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out Graduate Nurse jobs in Columbus, Ohio

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What is a Graduate Nurse ?

The Graduate Nurse (GN) is a nurse who has completed his or her academic studies but not completed the requirements to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Depending on the country, state, province or similar licensing body, the graduate nurse may be granted provisional nursing licensure. A Graduate nurse has not yet passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse (RN). In the US, the Graduate nurse can practice nursing under a Registered nurse. To practice as a Graduate nurse, he or she must have been authorized by the examination provider to sit for the ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
77239
90339
82696

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
82023
100185
90263
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Graduate Nurse in the United States. The base salary for Graduate Nurse ranges from $77,239 to $90,339 with the average base salary of $82,696. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $82,023 to $100,185 with the average total cash compensation of $90,263.

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77239
90339

 

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