Nurse Salary

What you can earn as a nurse depends on your education, experience, role, industry and locale. Your nursing career may begin as a certified nurse assistant or registered nurse,  or perhaps you’ve earned a master’s in nursing and became a nurse practitioner.

Whatever your chosen pathway, it could be beneficial to research what the typical salary is for your career in your state of practice. Information on salary for the nursing careers below was last retrieved in February 2021 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Nationally, the 2019 mean pay for these nursing careers was as follows:

Nursing Career2019 Mean Salary
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
$30,720
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN)
$48,500
Registered Nurse (RN)
$77,460
Nurse Practitioners (NP)
$111,840
Nurse Midwife (CNM)
$108,810
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
$181,040
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,160

Annual mean salary for the above nursing careers was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2019 National Occupational Employment and Wages Estimates.

Mean Nursing Salary by State

StateNursing AssistantLPN/LVNRNNurse PractitionerNurse MidwifeNurse AnesthetistNursing Instructor/Teacher, Postsecondary
Alabama
$24,590
$39,310
$60,230
$99,570
N/A
$157,430
$71,020
Alaska
$40,320
$63,850
$90,500
$115,890
$85,920
N/A
$75,940
Arizona
$32,640
$54,290
$78,330
$111,480
$117,700
$144,530
$81,110
Arkansas
$25,950
$40,760
$61,330
$105,840
N/A
$182,960
$55,170
California
$36,630
$60,240
$113,240
$138,660
$154,500
$227,290
$101,930
Colorado
$33,980
$53,180
$76,230
$106,760
$102,520
$175,100
$75,530
Connecticut
$34,360
$57,380
$83,440
$115,140
$112,920
$198,750
$97,350
Delaware
$31,770
$53,520
$74,100
$112,430
$95,110
N/A
N/A
Florida
$27,790
$45,580
$67,610
$101,510
$84,270
$160,030
$122,050
Georgia
$27,890
$42,570
$69,590
$105,670
$98,440
$174,310
$77,270
Guam
$29,160
$35,740
$58,070
$72,970
N/A
N/A
N/A
Hawaii
$37,710
$51,010
$104,060
$124,000
N/A
$190,330
$82,800
Idaho
$28,950
$46,430
$69,480
$110,860
N/A
$150,670
$76,690
Illinois
$29,760
$53,290
$73,510
$107,860
$104,640
$199,660
$69,770
Indiana
$28,610
$46,050
$66,560
$106,380
$112,010
$165,770
$83,880
Iowa
$30,520
$44,220
$60,590
$109,910
$104,420
$202,400
$75,690
Kansas
$27,280
$44,260
$62,450
$100,550
N/A
$162,010
$68,090
Kentucky
$27,280
$42,740
$63,750
$99,560
$105,890
$167,400
$72,240
Louisiana
$23,340
$40,300
$65,850
$106,240
N/A
$158,500
$67,080
Maine
$30,770
$46,930
$69,760
$106,960
$115,200
$188,840
$59,220
Maryland
$32,450
$55,020
$77,910
$111,800
$118,240
$186,310
$95,830
Massachusetts
$35,040
$60,340
$93,160
$122,240
$107,150
$201,890
$88,260
Michigan
$31,200
$50,300
$73,200
$108,660
$92,790
$194,640
$81,510
Minnesota
$35,150
$48,460
$80,130
$122,850
$121,980
$192,290
$74,090
Mississippi
$23,980
$39,020
$59,750
$110,740
$119,640
$177,820
$74,070
Missouri
$26,490
$43,410
$64,160
$105,050
$114,140
$161,420
$73,300
Montana
$30,440
$44,730
$69,340
$109,120
N/A
$239,380
$77,770
Nebraska
$29,920
$44,450
$66,640
$105,450
N/A
$179,450
$75,520
Nevada
$34,890
$58,470
$88,380
$115,970
N/A
N/A
$72,580
New Hampshire
$33,430
$54,220
$73,880
$110,680
$108,050
$196,000
$72,890
New Jersey
$31,190
$57,510
$84,280
$123,810
$117,280
$193,900
$87,120
New Mexico
$28,850
$48,330
$73,300
$111,930
$98,750
$162,320
$67,120
New York
$38,810
$49,860
$87,840
$122,550
$120,380
$200,350
$97,750
North Carolina
$26,540
$45,880
$66,440
$105,890
$100,730
$189,060
$70,300
North Dakota
$34,320
$46,760
$66,290
$110,950
N/A
$195,010
$72,180
Ohio
$28,690
$45,020
$68,220
$103,780
$103,930
$184,380
$79,360
Oklahoma
$26,030
$42,090
$64,800
$113,200
N/A
$175,090
$58,440
Oregon
$34,780
$54,740
$92,960
$113,430
$113,580
$234,750
$83,900
Pennsylvania
$31,590
$49,200
$71,410
$101,950
$98,680
$174,240
$81,760
Puerto Rico
$22,540
$23,170
$35,040
N/A
N/A
$54,690
$35,980
Rhode Island
$33,020
$59,860
$82,310
$115,310
$108,320
N/A
$80,220
South Carolina
$26,560
$42,190
$64,840
$100,680
$99,590
$165,940
$74,020
South Dakota
$28,120
$38,760
$59,540
$102,230
N/A
$190,880
$73,160
Tennessee
$27,250
$41,270
$62,570
$96,510
$90,070
$157,070
$75,260
Texas
$27,930
$47,370
$74,540
$115,440
$92,560
$167,020
$66,190
Utah
$28,890
$49,660
$67,970
$105,240
$104,580
$146,470
$82,790
Vermont
$31,710
$50,210
$70,240
$105,840
$94,850
N/A
N/A
Virgin Islands
$31,150
$48,420
$68,500
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Virginia
$29,400
$46,070
$71,870
$109,110
$94,920
$180,120
$71,640
Washington
$33,800
$57,940
$86,170
$126,920
$107,810
$192,440
$81,980
Washington, D.C
$35,320
$54,220
$94,820
$111,950
$95,990
N/A
$157,560
West Virginia
$26,900
$37,500
$63,220
$103,170
N/A
$188,580
$58,590
Wisconsin
$31,280
$46,550
$72,610
$112,130
$115,100
$233,600
$83,690
Wyoming
$31,930
$46,980
$68,690
$118,110
N/A
$243,310
$66,880

Information on state by state nursing career mean salaries was retrieved from the May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.

Sponsored Online Nursing Programs

Georgetown University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Simmons University

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

University of Southern California (USC)

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Master of Science in Nursing – FNP Program

Nursing@USC delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. RN and BSN req’d.

  • Designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Offers a part-time option for active RNs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing online
  • Can be completed in as few as 21 months

St. John Fisher University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

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Highest Nursing Salaries

Some nursing careers experience a higher salary in specific states. Moreover, nurses may earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. These variations could be dependent on need for nurses, funding, type of employment and/or type of education.

Highest-Paying States for Nursing Assistants

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for nursing assistants was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Nursing Assistants, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Alaska
$40,320
2. New York
$38,810
3. Hawaii
$37,710
4. California
$36,630
5. District of Columbia
$35,320
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Salinas, CA
$46,170
2. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward
$45,100
3. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$44,710
4. Fairbanks, AK
$41,900
5. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
$40,080

Highest-Paying States for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for LPN and LVN careers was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Alaska
$63,850
2. Massachusetts
$60,340
3. California
$60,240
4. Rhode Island
$59,860
5. Nevada
$58,470
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$69,490
2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$68,160
3. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
$67,990
4. Anchorage, AK
$65,420
5. Santa Rosa, CA
$65,260

Highest-Paying States for Registered Nurses

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for registered nurses was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Registered Nurses, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. California
$113,240
2. Hawaii
$104,060
3. District of Columbia
$94,820
4. Massachusetts
$93,160
5. Oregon
$92,960
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$140,740
2. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$138,000
3. Santa Cruz-Watsonville
$134,000
4. Salinas, CA
$133,580
5. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
$131,970

Highest-Paying States for Nurse Practitioners

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for nurse practitioners was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Nurse Practitioners, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. California
$138,660
2. Washington
$126,920
3. Hawaii
$124,000
4. New Jersey
$123,810
5. Minnesota
$122,850
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
$175,060
2. Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
$160,110
3. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$157,150
4. Longview, WA
$150,520
5. Sumter, SC
$147,210

Highest-Paying States for Nurse-Midwives

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for nurse-midwives was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Nurse Midwives, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. California
$154,500
2. Minnesota
$121,980
3. New York
$120,380
4. Mississippi
$119,640
5. Maryland
$118,240
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$163,020
2. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$156,450
3. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
$130,140
4. Toledo, OH
$129,360
5. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
$122,080

Highest-Paying States for Nurse Anesthetists

Information for the below tables on highest-paying states and metro areas for nurse anesthetists was retrieved from BLS Occupational Employment and Wages – Nurse Anesthetists, May 2019.

State2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Wyoming
$243,310
2. Montana
$239,380
3. Oregon
$234,750
4. Wisconsin
$233,600
5. California
$227,290
Metropolitan Area2019 Annual Mean Salary
1. Toledo, OH
$266,260
2. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$254,860
3. Columbus, GA-AL
$247,540
4. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
$240,820
5. Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA
$236,400

Nursing Schedule, Location, and Career Paths

  • Nurses are often able to choose between shifts of varying lengths and at different points in the day.
  • Nurses may work in hospitals, schools, homes or other healthcare facilities.
  • Nurses may enter a number of healthcare industries and may pursue a wide variety of specialties, many of which come with higher wages and improved benefits.

Nursing Job Opportunities

Nursing Benefits

  • Nurses generally receive generous benefit packages that include health insurance, vacation time, holiday pay, childcare and college tuition reimbursement. Benefits vary by location, employer and specialty.
  • Various professional organizations exist for all nurses, as well as for each nursing specialty. These groups offer increased benefits and resources in exchange for annual membership fees.

Sponsored Online Nursing Programs

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

  • Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
  • Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
  • Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

  • Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
  • Complete in as few as 24 months
  • Full-time and part-time tracks available

University of Southern California (USC)

info

Master of Science in Nursing – FNP Program

Nursing@USC delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. RN and BSN req’d.

  • Designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Offers a part-time option for active RNs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing online
  • Can be completed in as few as 21 months

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

  • Part-time and accelerated tracks available
  • Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

info SPONSORED

Information on this page was last updated in February 2021.