RN Salary by State: May 2024 BLS OEWS Data
Compare registered nurse mean annual wages and estimated hourly pay across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, using Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data for SOC 29-1141.
National RN salary snapshot
$93,600
National median annual wage (OOH, May 2024)
$98,430
National mean annual wage (OEWS, May 2024)
$47.32
Approx. mean hourly (÷2,080)
5%
Projected job growth, 2024–2034
Pay varies by state, metro area, experience, specialty, shift differentials, and employer type. Mean wage is the arithmetic average from OEWS; median wage (from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook) is the midpoint — half of RNs earn more and half earn less.
California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Alaska, New York, and the District of Columbia rank among the highest mean RN wages in the May 2024 OEWS release, though take-home pay still depends on cost of living and local taxes.
RN mean annual wage by state (May 2024)
Hourly estimates assume 2,080 work hours per year (40 hours × 52 weeks) and do not include overtime or differentials.
| State | Mean annual wage | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Alaska | $112,040 | $53.87 |
| Arizona | $95,230 | $45.78 |
| Arkansas | $77,720 | $37.37 |
| California | $148,330 | $71.31 |
| Colorado | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Connecticut | $103,670 | $49.84 |
| Delaware | $95,450 | $45.89 |
| District of Columbia | $109,240 | $52.52 |
| Florida | $88,200 | $42.40 |
| Georgia | $91,960 | $44.21 |
| Hawaii | $123,720 | $59.48 |
| Idaho | $89,770 | $43.16 |
| Illinois | $91,130 | $43.81 |
| Indiana | $85,850 | $41.27 |
| Iowa | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Kansas | $79,430 | $38.19 |
| Kentucky | $83,900 | $40.34 |
| Louisiana | $84,110 | $40.44 |
| Maine | $87,440 | $42.04 |
| Maryland | $96,650 | $46.47 |
| Massachusetts | $112,610 | $54.14 |
| Michigan | $90,580 | $43.55 |
| Minnesota | $99,460 | $47.82 |
| Mississippi | $79,470 | $38.21 |
| Missouri | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Montana | $88,480 | $42.54 |
| Nebraska | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Nevada | $102,280 | $49.17 |
| New Hampshire | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| New Jersey | $106,990 | $51.44 |
| New Mexico | $94,360 | $45.37 |
| New York | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| North Carolina | $86,270 | $41.48 |
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $39.38 |
| Ohio | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Oklahoma | $85,800 | $41.25 |
| Oregon | $120,470 | $57.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $90,830 | $43.67 |
| Rhode Island | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| South Carolina | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| South Dakota | $72,210 | $34.72 |
| Tennessee | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Texas | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Utah | $88,240 | $42.42 |
| Vermont | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| Virginia | $90,930 | $43.72 |
| Washington | $115,740 | $55.64 |
| West Virginia | $80,650 | $38.77 |
| Wisconsin | $90,450 | $43.49 |
| Wyoming | $88,020 | $42.32 |
State wages use the archived BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 release for Registered Nurses, SOC 29-1141. This page uses the archived May 2024 OEWS release for consistency with the 2024 BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook figures. BLS now publishes May 2025 OEWS tables as well — see the official OEWS data table page for the latest release. National median wage and job outlook figures come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Hourly estimates are calculated by dividing annual mean wage by 2,080 hours and may differ from BLS published hourly mean due to rounding. Download the official state table: BLS OEWS May 2024 state data (XLSX).
How to use this data
Compare mean wages alongside cost of living, compact license status, and CE renewal rules before relocating. A higher salary does not always mean higher take-home pay. See best states for nurses for a broader comparison.
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Disclaimer: Wages are estimates for planning. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, specialty, and local market conditions.