Registered Nurses
Nursing Professionals • Healthcare & Medical Careers
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. Includes Clinical Nurse Specialists. Excludes "Nurse Anesthetists" (29-1151), "Nurse Midwives" (29-1161), and "Nurse Practitioners" (29-1171).
Registered Nurses - Quick Facts
- Median Salary: $93,600
- Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,030
- Senior (90th percentile): $135,320
- National Employment: 3,282,010 jobs
- Education Required: Bachelor's degree
- Job Growth Outlook: High
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024), Registered Nurses professionals earned a median annual salary of $93,600 nationally, with approximately 3,282,010 employed across the United States. This occupation typically requires bachelor's degree and has a high growth outlook. The salary range spans from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), reflecting variations in experience, location, and industry.
Understanding Salary Statistics: The typical salary (median) shows what a middle-of-the-road Registered Nurses earns, making it useful for salary negotiations. The average salary (mean) can be higher due to top earners and is often used in industry reports.
Salary Distribution
National salary ranges for Registered Nurses (2024)
Highest Paying Metropolitan Areas
Top 10 metro areas with the highest salaries for Registered Nurses
Top Industries
Industries with the most Registered Nurses positions
Work Environment
Career Overview
💼 About This Career
Registered Nurses professionals work in healthcare & medical careers, specifically in nursing professionals. This role typically requires bachelor's degree and offers a median salary of $93,600.
📊 Job Market Outlook
The job growth outlook for Registered Nurses is rated as High. Currently, there are approximately 3,282,010 people employed in this occupation nationwide.
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❓ Common Questions About Registered Nurses
Get direct answers to the most common questions about Registered Nurses salaries, requirements, and career outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registered Nurses
What is the median salary for Registered Nurses?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2024), Registered Nurses earn a median annual salary of $93,600. This means half of all Registered Nurses professionals earn more than this amount, and half earn less. The median salary is considered the most representative figure for typical earnings in this occupation.
How much do entry-level Registered Nurses make?
Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) typically earn around $66,030 annually as of 2024. Entry-level salaries can vary based on location, education, and employer, but this figure represents the lower end of the salary range for professionals just starting their careers.
What do experienced Registered Nurses earn?
Experienced Registered Nurses (90th percentile) can earn $135,320 or more annually. Senior professionals with extensive experience, specialized skills, or those working in high-paying metropolitan areas often exceed this figure. The top 10% of earners in this field demonstrate the career growth potential.
What education do you need to become a Registered Nurses?
The typical education requirement for Registered Nurses is bachelor's degree. However, requirements may vary by employer and specialization. Some positions may accept equivalent work experience or relevant certifications in addition to formal education. Check specific job postings for detailed requirements.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?
The job growth outlook for Registered Nurses is high. Currently, approximately 3,282,010 people are employed in this occupation nationwide. This outlook reflects expected changes in employment over the next decade based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, considering factors such as technological changes, industry trends, and economic conditions.
What's the difference between median and mean salary for Registered Nurses?
The median salary ($93,600) represents the middle point where half earn more and half earn less, making it less affected by extremely high or low salaries. The mean (average) salary ($98,430) is calculated by adding all salaries and dividing by the number of workers. For Registered Nurses, the mean is higher than the median, indicating that some professionals earn significantly above the typical range.
Data Source & Attribution
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Data Period: May 2024
Last Verified: December 25, 2025
National employment and wage estimates. Historical trends show changes over time. Individual results may vary based on experience, location, industry, and employer.
Salary and employment data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Wages shown are before taxes and may vary based on experience, education, and employer. Geographic location significantly impacts compensation.
How to cite this data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)." May 2024. Analyzed by Wageography, 2025. Available: https://www.bls.gov/oes/