Nurse Salary Guide
Nurse salary guide — RN, NP, CRNA, travel & specialty pay
A complete reference for nurse pay across credentials, specialties, and states. Use it to benchmark offers, negotiate contracts, and plan a career move.
$86,070
RN Mean (US)
$126,260
NP Mean (US)
$212,650
CRNA Mean (US)
$159,160
Top Metro Mean
About this directory
Nurse compensation varies more than almost any healthcare role — driven by credential, specialty, geography, employer type, and shift. This guide consolidates national averages, state-by-state RN means, and role-specific ranges in one place.
Figures are rounded to the nearest dollar from the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS release plus public travel-nurse pay reports. Individual offers can land well above or below depending on local supply and demand.
Nurse salary by role
Mean annual wages plus the 10th–90th percentile range for the major nursing roles.
| Role | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $86,070 | $63,720 | $132,680 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) | $55,860 | $40,490 | $72,650 |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $126,260 | $94,530 | $168,030 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $212,650 | $168,030 | $239,200 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $120,880 | $88,290 | $170,020 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | $99,800 | $78,500 | $134,900 |
| Travel Nurse (RN) | $117,400 | $80,000 | $165,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care Nurse | $95,200 | $72,000 | $138,000 |
| Emergency Room Nurse | $92,500 | $70,000 | $132,000 |
| Oncology Nurse | $93,400 | $71,000 | $134,000 |
| Pediatric Nurse | $84,600 | $64,000 | $121,000 |
| Psychiatric / Mental Health Nurse | $88,900 | $66,000 | $128,000 |
Registered nurse pay by state
Mean annual RN wages — top-paying states first.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. State-level means rounded to the nearest ten dollars.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average nurse salary in the United States?+
The U.S. mean annual wage for registered nurses is approximately $86,070, nurse practitioners average $126,260, and CRNAs average $212,650. Wages vary widely by state, metro area, specialty, shift differential, and years of experience.
Which state pays nurses the most?+
California consistently leads in RN pay, with a mean wage of roughly $137,690. Hawaii, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Alaska round out the top five.
What is the highest-paying nursing specialty?+
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the highest-paid nursing role, with a mean wage above $200,000. Nurse practitioners, especially psychiatric and acute-care NPs, follow closely.
How much do travel nurses make?+
Travel nurses commonly earn $90,000–$150,000+ annually depending on assignment specialty, location, and crisis pay surge multipliers. Compensation often includes a tax-free housing stipend.
Do nurse salaries include benefits?+
Reported salary data typically reflects base wages only. Total compensation usually adds health insurance, retirement match, shift differentials, certification bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and PTO.
How often is nurse salary data updated?+
We refresh this guide against the most recent BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) release. Use the figures as directional benchmarks; individual offers vary by employer and contract.