Healthcare
Registered Nurse — Career & Salary Intelligence
Registered Nurse careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$86,000
Entry (p10)
$62,000
Top 10% (p90)
$125,000
Career score
68/100
Strong Career
Career overview
Registered Nurse careers, salary ranges across the US and Canada, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 94/100. Automation risk 14/100. Remote-work compatibility 18/100.
Salary by experience
National baseline before location adjustments.
| Level | Years | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0–2 yrs | $64,500 |
| Junior | 3–5 yrs | $76,325 |
| Mid | 6–10 yrs | $86,000 |
| Senior | 11–15 yrs | $111,800 |
| Lead / Principal | 16–20 yrs | $137,600 |
| Executive / Top Performer | 20+ yrs | $162,368 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $160,800 | $233,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $151,400 | $220,000 |
| Toronto, ON | 135 | $116,100 | $168,800 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $92,000 | $133,800 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $82,600 | $120,000 |
| Montreal, QC | 98 | $84,300 | $122,500 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $89,400 | $130,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $86,900 | $126,300 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $77,400 | $112,500 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $137,600 | $200,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $88,600 | $128,800 |
| Calgary, AB | 107 | $92,000 | $133,800 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $60,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $71,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $86,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $108,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $133,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $96,000 | 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
68/100
Strong
Strong Career
Compensation
54/100
Moderate
Growth
92/100
Excellent
Demand
81/100
Excellent
Stability
94/100
Excellent
Advancement
52/100
Moderate
Remote flexibility
18/100
Weak
Frequently asked questions about Registered Nurse
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.