Registered Nurses earn a median of $97,550 per year ($46.90/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.6% through 2035, with about 180,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 29-1141
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Registered Nurse in four numbers
- Median pay
- $97,550a year, or $46.90/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $69KTop 10% $137K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.6%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 180,8003,465,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20253.5M
- Projected 20353.7M
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 3.5M Projected 2035 3.7M - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school0.8%
- Certificate22.5%
- Associate's19.4%
- Bachelor's55.9%
- Master's1.4%
Highest education held by registered nurses Segment Value High school 0.8% Certificate 22.5% Associate's 19.4% Bachelor's 55.9% Master's 1.4%
Also advertised as: Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR), Charge Nurse, Emergency Department RN (Emergency Department Registered Nurse), Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Operating Room Registered Nurse (OR RN), Psychiatric RN (Psychiatric Registered Nurse).
Pay
How much do registered nurses make?
Registered Nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year ($46.90 an hour, or about $8,130 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $68,940 and the top 10% more than $137,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $140,270. See Registered nurse salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($194,960 average): salary in every city. Choosing between jobs? Compare pay side by side in LPN vs RN, NP vs RN and Registered Nurse vs Medical Assistant.
Every registered nurse in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$97,550
Middle half earn $80,330 to $112,350
- 10th
- $68,940
- 25th
- $80,330
- 75th
- $112,350
- 90th
- $137,470
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,940 |
| 25th | $80,330 |
| Median | $97,550 |
| 75th | $112,350 |
| 90th | $137,470 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $97,550
- Median hourly wage
- $46.90/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $101,420
- People employed
- 3,379,720
Versus all US occupations
At $97,550, Registered Nurses earn 91% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $46,570 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 5% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $137,470 or more while the bottom 10% earn $68,940, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 70% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $140,270, and still leads at $126,689 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay registered nurses the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $140,270 | $126,689 | 338,940 |
| 2Hawaii | $136,320 | $123,983 | 12,940 |
| 3Oregon | $129,010 | $124,815 | 39,730 |
| 4Washington | $124,200 | $116,061 | 69,260 |
| 5Alaska | $109,480 | $106,957 | 7,510 |
| 6New York | $109,440 | $101,408 | 205,810 |
| 7New Jersey | $106,500 | $97,882 | 92,680 |
| 8Massachusetts | $104,550 | $98,859 | 88,200 |
| 9Nevada | $103,670 | $103,692 | 27,070 |
| 10Connecticut | $102,740 | $99,160 | 40,110 |
Job outlook
Is registered nurse a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | +5.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Registered Nurses to change 5.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 194,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 180,800 openings are projected each year, 5.2% of the 3,465,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for healthcare services is projected to increase because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people. Registered nurses are expected to also be needed to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.
Job growth is expected across most types of healthcare settings, including hospitals and outpatient care centers that provide same-day services, such as chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery. In addition, because many older people prefer to be treated at home, registered nurses will likely continue to be in demand in home healthcare settings.
AI exposure: high
BLS places this occupation in its high relative AI exposure category, above the middle of the pack: a substantial share of the work overlaps with what AI can do.
Getting in
How to become a registered nurse
Every registered nurse in the United States needs a nursing license issued by the state board of nursing where they work. To get one you must graduate from an approved nursing program and pass a qualifying exam, the NCLEX-RN. Three education routes lead to the same exam: an associate degree (ADN or ASN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a hospital diploma program.
The credential path, step by step
- Enroll in a nursing program approved by a state board of nursing2-4 years
Pick one of the three routes: an associate degree (ADN or ASN), a BSN, or a hospital diploma program. All three qualify a licensed graduate for entry-level staff nurse positions, although employers, particularly hospitals, may require a bachelor's degree.
- Complete the coursework and supervised clinical hours
Programs cover anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and social and behavioral sciences, and all include supervised clinical experience. Bachelor's programs usually add communication, leadership and critical thinking.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
After graduating, register with the nursing regulatory body where you plan to practice and with Pearson VUE, then sit the NCLEX-RN, NCSBN's computerized adaptive entry-level competency exam.
- Obtain the state license
Apply to the board of nursing in the state where you will work. Other requirements, such as passing a criminal background check, vary by state.
- Add certifications your employer requires
Specialty certification through professional associations, in areas such as ambulatory care, gerontology or pediatrics, is usually voluntary but some employers require it. RN positions may also require CPR, basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.
Exams you have to pass
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
The licensure exam taken after graduating from an approved nursing program. It measures entry-level nursing competency, uses computerized adaptive testing, and uses case studies to assess clinical decision-making. Registration runs through the nursing regulatory body you are seeking licensure from as well as Pearson VUE.
Administered by National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), delivered through Pearson VUE.
- How long the training takes
2-4 years
BLS reports that BSN programs typically take 4 years to complete and that hospital or medical center diploma programs typically take 2 to 3 years. Associate degree programs are offered at community colleges. All three include supervised clinical experience.
- Program accreditation
CCNE · Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
CCNE accredits baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing, so it covers the BSN route but not associate or diploma programs. Programmatic accreditation is not the same thing as the state board approval that licensure depends on: state boards license graduates of programs they have approved, and a program can be board-approved without being nationally accredited. Employers and graduate schools commonly look for accreditation, so check both.
- Program accreditation
ACEN · Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
ACEN accredits practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's and clinical doctorate nursing programs, so it is the accreditor that covers the ADN and hospital diploma routes into RN licensure. ACEN accreditation is voluntary; a program must apply for it.
- Program accreditation
NLN CNEA · NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
A third recognized nursing accreditor, accrediting nursing programs of all types including distance education programs. As with CCNE and ACEN, this is programmatic accreditation and is distinct from state board approval.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
The license is issued by the state board of nursing, not nationally. Each board decides which nursing programs it approves for licensure purposes, and sets the requirements beyond graduation and the NCLEX-RN, such as criminal background checks. Renewal terms and any continuing education are also board-set. Contact the board in the state where you intend to practice for its specific requirements.
Who governs the credential
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Develops and publishes the NCLEX-RN examination and its test plan, which state boards of nursing use to measure entry-level nursing competency for licensure.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Offers voluntary specialty certification for nurses; certification is separate from the state license and is not required to practice as an RN.
Credential detail for registered nurses is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- NCSBN, NCLEX Test Plans · checked August 23, 2026
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, FAQs: ACEN and Accreditation · checked August 23, 2026
- NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) · checked August 23, 2026
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as registered nurses.
- Bachelor's Degree55.9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate22.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree19.4%
- Master's Degree1.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)0.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 55.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 22.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 19.4% |
| Master's Degree | 1.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 0.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a registered nurse do?
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Day-to-day tasks
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
- Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Fatal injury rate: 0.4 per 100,000 workers (0.1x the 3.3 average)
BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2024: 13 deaths that year.
Nurses who work in hospitals and nursing care facilities usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice.
Nurses who work in offices, schools, and other places that do not provide 24-hour care are more likely to work regular business hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where registered nurses work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private59%
- Ambulatory healthcare services19%
- Nursing and residential care facilities6%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals5%
- Educational services; state, local, and private3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 59% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 19% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 5% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Active Learning3.5
- Learning Strategies3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.1
- Coordination4.0
- Service Orientation4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Instructing3.3
- Time Management3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.1 |
| Coordination | 4.0 |
| Service Orientation | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Time accounting software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a registered nurse?
Women make up 87.3% of registered nurses, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation.
21.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 42.3 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 87.3%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 42.3All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.4%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 3,528,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of registered nurses | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 87.3% | 47.1% |
| White | 70.6% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 16.0% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 10.6% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.0% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.4% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 5.7% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a registered nurse?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Registered Nurse |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Social5.6
- Conventional4.8
- Investigative4.7
- Realistic3.5
- Enterprising2.4
- Artistic1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse compared with
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with registered nurses highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Registered Nurse$97,550
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within registered nurse
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Registered Nurse: frequently asked questions
How much do registered nurses make?
Registered Nurses earn a median of $97,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 91% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $46.90/hr. The middle half earn between $80,330 and $112,350. The top 10% earn $137,470 or more.
How much do registered nurses make an hour?
The median hourly wage for registered nurses is $46.90 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $97,550 annual median works out to about $8,130 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a registered nurse?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of registered nurses earn less than $68,940 a year and the bottom quarter less than $80,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do registered nurses make $100k?
Some do. $100,000 sits between the median ($97,550) and the 75th percentile ($112,350), so roughly a quarter to a half of registered nurses earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). In 14 states the median itself is above $100,000: California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010), Washington ($124,200), and 10 more.
Which states pay registered nurses the most?
The highest state medians for Registered Nurses are California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of registered nurse earns the most?
BLS does not split registered nurses' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $137,470, against a median of $97,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($140,270), Hawaii ($136,320), Oregon ($129,010). BLS also counts 11 specialty careers inside this occupation (aesthetic nurse, flight nurse, forensic nurse, legal nurse consultant), which share its federal pay figures.
Do you need a degree to become a registered nurse?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Registered Nurses, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 55.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is registered nurse a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.6% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 180,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a registered nurse do?
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. A core O*NET task: record patients' medical information and vital signs. Employers most often ask for Business intelligence and data analysis software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Do registered nurses work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 26% of registered nurses usually work more than 40 hours a week, 65% work exactly 40 and 9% work fewer. 87% say their schedule is regular and 13% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a registered nurse?
O*NET scores Registered Nurses highest on the Social, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
How long does it take to become a registered nurse?
2-4 years. BLS reports that BSN programs typically take 4 years to complete and that hospital or medical center diploma programs typically take 2 to 3 years. Associate degree programs are offered at community colleges. All three include supervised clinical experience.
Do you need a license to work as a registered nurse?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. The license is issued by the state board of nursing, not nationally. Each board decides which nursing programs it approves for licensure purposes, and sets the requirements beyond graduation and the NCLEX-RN, such as criminal background checks. Renewal terms and any continuing education are also board-set. Contact the board in the state where you intend to practice for its specific requirements.
What exams do you have to pass to become a registered nurse?
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). The licensure exam taken after graduating from an approved nursing program. It measures entry-level nursing competency, uses computerized adaptive testing, and uses case studies to assess clinical decision-making. Registration runs through the nursing regulatory body you are seeking licensure from as well as Pearson VUE.
What percentage of registered nurses are women?
Women make up 87.3% of registered nurses, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. 21.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 42.3 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.