Healthcare
Registered Nurse — Career & Salary Intelligence
Registered Nurse careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$97,550
Entry (p10)
$68,940
Top 10% (p90)
$137,470
Career score
69/100
Strong Career
Career overview
Registered Nurse careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 94/100. Automation risk 14/100. Remote-work compatibility 18/100.
What the job pays nationally
The published wage distribution for this occupation, before any location adjustment. These are pay percentiles, not years of experience \u2014 the source data does not link the two.
| Percentile | What it means | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 1 in 10 earn less than this | $68,940 |
| 25th percentile | 1 in 4 earn less than this | $80,330 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $97,550 |
| 75th percentile | 1 in 4 earn more than this | $112,350 |
| 90th percentile | 1 in 10 earn more than this | $137,470 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $119,720 | $159,240 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $135,560 | $174,200 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $100,490 | $119,260 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $99,830 | $130,440 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $100,830 | $130,930 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $101,180 | $121,900 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $94,370 | $122,990 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $139,520 | $175,210 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $101,420 | $129,710 |
| San Jose, CA | 202 | $216,740 | $235,190 |
| Austin, TX | 119 | $97,890 | $127,510 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 93 | $83,520 | $104,870 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $68,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $80,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $98,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $122,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $151,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $109,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
Board Certification (specialty)
Sub-specialty income premium
Approx. uplift: +20%
ACLS / PALS
Acute-care role eligibility
Approx. uplift: +4%
MSN / DNP (advanced practice)
Advanced-practice nursing pathway
Approx. uplift: +22%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
69/100
Strong
Strong Career
Compensation
62/100
Moderate
Growth
92/100
Excellent
Demand
83/100
Excellent
Stability
94/100
Excellent
Advancement
37/100
Weak
Remote flexibility
18/100
Weak
Frequently asked questions about Registered Nurse
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.