Published April 6, 2026 · Updated annually
Nurse Salary by State 2026: RN vs Nurse Practitioner Pay
Registered nurse salaries jumped 8.7% to a national median of $93,600 in 2024, driven by persistent staffing shortages. Nurse practitioners earn even more — $142,700 median nationally. But where you practice matters enormously: California RNs earn over $140,000 while some Southern states pay under $65,000.
RN Salary Overview
RN Salaries by City (Ranked by Pay)
| Rank | City | Median | 90th Pctl | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $208,940 | $226,240 | $106,711 | 21,460 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $188,020 | $221,890 | $104,688 | 40,750 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $133,440 | $172,740 | $80,386 | 107,340 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | $133,090 | $174,820 | $83,077 | 27,660 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $127,980 | $146,720 | $98,370 | 24,930 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $118,570 | $157,380 | $79,364 | 37,250 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $113,490 | $154,440 | $60,625 | 195,470 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $102,440 | $177,130 | $67,350 | 66,440 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,240 | $128,690 | $96,271 | 40,510 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $101,800 | $129,320 | $66,623 | 43,640 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $99,210 | $122,500 | $83,792 | 74,840 |
| 12 | Dallas, TX | $98,740 | $122,800 | $94,851 | 72,640 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $98,500 | $124,200 | $87,323 | 29,570 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $98,160 | $124,130 | $97,478 | 46,330 |
| 15 | Houston, TX | $97,810 | $125,320 | $101,358 | 65,300 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $96,480 | $118,080 | $89,916 | 100,620 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $96,370 | $129,340 | $97,147 | 54,370 |
| 18 | Austin, TX | $94,900 | $122,820 | $92,136 | 18,420 |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $88,980 | $111,200 | $93,565 | 44,280 |
| 20 | Miami, FL | $85,610 | $127,240 | $69,545 | 59,880 |
| 21 | Raleigh, NC | $84,870 | $107,800 | $85,040 | 12,820 |
| 22 | Charlotte, NC | $84,780 | $107,280 | $87,673 | 25,440 |
| 23 | Tampa, FL | $84,290 | $114,960 | $84,629 | 35,050 |
| 24 | Salt Lake City, UT | $83,140 | $114,340 | $81,992 | 13,680 |
| 25 | Nashville, TN | $81,170 | $108,530 | $80,927 | 24,460 |
Best Cities for RN Purchasing Power
High salaries do not always mean high purchasing power. After adjusting for cost of living, the best cities for RN earnings shift dramatically:
| Rank | City | COL-Adjusted | Raw Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,711 | $208,940 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $104,688 | $188,020 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $101,358 | $97,810 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $98,370 | $127,980 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $97,478 | $98,160 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $97,147 | $96,370 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $96,271 | $102,240 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $94,851 | $98,740 |
| 9 | Detroit, MI | $93,565 | $88,980 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $92,136 | $94,900 |
RN vs Nurse Practitioner: Is the Advanced Degree Worth It?
Nurse practitioners earn significantly more than registered nurses — $34,579 more per year at the median. With NP employment projected to grow 40% by 2034 (per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook), the return on a master's degree is strong.
| Metric | Registered Nurse | Nurse Practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| National Median | $108,121 | $142,700 |
| Highest City | $208,940 | $225,730 |
| Total Employment | 1,283,150 | 120,280 |
The Nursing Shortage Factor
The ongoing nursing shortage is the primary driver of salary growth. Key factors include:
- Aging workforce — over 1 million RNs are expected to retire by 2030
- Burnout and turnover — post-pandemic attrition continues, with travel nursing declining but staff vacancies persisting
- Geographic mismatch — rural areas face the most acute shortages but typically pay less than urban centers
- Nursing school bottleneck — qualified applicants are being turned away due to faculty shortages at nursing programs
These structural pressures suggest continued salary growth for nurses through the rest of the decade. Explore the full RN vs NP salary comparison for city-by-city data.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median registered nurse salary is $108,121 based on BLS data. This represents an 8.7% increase over the prior year, driven by staffing shortages.
California consistently pays the highest RN salaries, with metros like San Francisco and Los Angeles offering median pay well above $100,000. However, California also has a high cost of living — after COL adjustment, other states may offer better purchasing power.
Nurse practitioners earn approximately $34,579 more per year than registered nurses at the national median. NP employment is projected to grow 40% by 2034.