Blog·K12 Careers editorial team·July 2, 2026·9 min read

Registered Nurse Salary by State in 2026: Where the Pay Is Highest and the Jobs Most Urgent

The United States is projected to have 358,000 vacant nursing positions by 2026 — a shortage that is not evenly distributed. Some states are competing intensely for every qualified RN they can find, offering sign-on bonuses, relocation packages, and premium hourly rates. Others are managing surpluses. At the same time, RN salaries now range from $55,660 per year in South Dakota to $150,280 in California — a nearly three-to-one gap that makes where you choose to work one of the most consequential financial decisions of your nursing career. This guide, built on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and Research.com's 2026 nursing analysis, gives you the full picture: which states pay most, where demand is most acute, and how to think about the real value of each market.

💡 The National RN Salary Baseline in 2026

The national average registered nurse salary is approximately $98,430 per year, with a median of $93,600, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. This places nursing firmly in the upper tier of healthcare salaries for non-physician roles — above medical assistants, below nurse practitioners and CRNAs.

The nursing shortage is real and structural. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that the overall projected supply of nursing staff in 2026 will meet only 91.94% of demand nationally — a shortage rate of 8.06%. But the breakdown by license type is more alarming: the shortage among licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is 20%, and among registered nurses it is 10%. The combination of an aging patient population, an aging nursing workforce (many experienced nurses are approaching retirement), and a faculty shortage that limits how fast nursing schools can graduate new RNs creates a compounding effect.

For nurses currently in the workforce or about to enter it, this structural shortage translates directly into leverage — in salary negotiations, in location flexibility, and in the breadth of practice settings available.

📊 RN Salary by State 2026: Full Rankings

State	Average Annual RN Salary	Notes
California	$150,280	Highest in the nation by a wide margin
Washington	$121,540	Strong union state; outside Seattle has good COL value
Hawaii	~$115,000	High COL offsets nominal salary advantage
Oregon	~$110,000	Portland metro skews average; rural Oregon lower
Alaska	~$105,000	Remote and rural premiums inflate average
Massachusetts	~$104,000	Academic medical centers drive demand
Nevada	~$96,000	Las Vegas growth fueling healthcare demand
New York	~$95,000	NYC average; upstate is significantly lower
Connecticut	~$92,000	Strong hospital system density
New Jersey	~$90,000	High COL; proximity to NYC market
National Average	$98,430	BLS OEWS 2024-25 data
Colorado	~$84,000	Rapidly growing market
Minnesota	~$82,000	Strong employer mix; competitive benefits
Arizona	~$80,000	Phoenix growth; active recruitment
Texas	~$78,000	No state income tax; large market variation
Florida	~$72,000	High demand; rising COL in metros
Georgia	~$70,000	Active shortage; Atlanta hub
North Carolina	~$68,000	Research Triangle driving demand
Ohio	~$67,000	Stable market; strong purchasing power
Indiana	~$65,000	Lower COL; solid real-dollar value
Iowa	~$61,000	Significant shortage; strong opportunity
Mississippi	~$58,000	Lowest alongside South Dakota
South Dakota	$55,660	Lowest average in the nation

Sources: BLS OEWS, Research.com — Nursing Salary by State 2026, Diversity Nursing — Nurse Salary by State 2026, NurseJournal.org.

🎓 Nursing Credentials: What Determines Your Starting Salary

Not all RN salaries start at the same point. The credential you hold at hire significantly affects both your starting salary and your ceiling.

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing): The two-year path to the NCLEX. ADN graduates can sit for the RN exam and enter the workforce. However, many major health systems — particularly large academic medical centers and Magnet-designated hospitals — are preferring or requiring BSN at hire. ADN nurses often face a hiring disadvantage in competitive markets and earn approximately 5–10% less than BSN nurses at entry.

BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): The four-year standard increasingly preferred by employers. BSN nurses have stronger access to competitive positions, faster pathways to leadership roles, and better starting salaries. The Institute of Medicine's recommendation that 80% of nursing staff hold BSNs by 2020 has not been universally achieved, but the professional standard has clearly shifted in that direction.

RN-to-BSN programs: Designed for working ADN nurses who want to upgrade their credentials while employed. Most programs are fully online, take 12–24 months, and can be completed while working full-time. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, making this a cost-effective upgrade.

Specialty certifications: Certifications such as CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency nursing), ONC (orthopaedics), or CNOR (operating room) typically add $3,000–$8,000 annually to base salary and open doors to specialist positions. For nurses interested in school nursing specifically, the NASN's NCSN certification is the gold standard.

📍 State-by-State Shortage Analysis: Where Your Skills Are Most Needed

The shortage is not evenly distributed. Understanding where demand is most acute helps you negotiate from a position of strength.

North Dakota is the hardest-hit state, projected to have only 84% of the registered nurses it needs in 2026 — a 16% gap. This is partly driven by an aging rural population and healthcare facilities that struggle to attract and retain staff in a low-density state. Signing bonuses and rural premiums are common.

Texas has an unmet RN demand of approximately 12.6%, representing 36,881 vacant positions, according to Nightingale College's analysis. Texas is the largest state nursing labor market in the country, and despite active nursing school expansion, demand continues to outrun supply. The absence of state income tax makes Texas compensation stretch further than comparable nominal salaries in taxed states.

Georgia, Hawaii, Vermont, Iowa, and Oklahoma all have fewer than 8 nurses per 1,000 people, according to IntelyCare's state breakdown. These states represent strong opportunity markets for nurses willing to relocate or negotiate.

Ohio is one of the strongest supply markets, with a shortage rate under 1% — meaning supply and demand are closely matched. New York (under 3%), Indiana (5%), and New Jersey (5%) also have relatively balanced markets, which translates to more stable working conditions but less negotiating leverage.

California is a special case. It has the highest RN salary in the country AND ongoing nursing shortages, driven by its legal nurse-to-patient ratio requirements (established under AB 394), which create demand for more nurses per shift than most states require. California's ratio laws mean a hospital cannot simply extend shifts to cover gaps — it must hire.

For nurses considering travel nursing as a way to capitalize on the shortage across multiple markets, see our travel nurse salary guide.

💼 Career Path and Salary Progression for RNs

Understanding the trajectory from new grad to advanced practice helps you plan your long-term earning potential.

Year 1–2 (New Graduate RN):

Salary range: $55,000–$75,000 depending on state and setting
Most new grads complete hospital-based residency programs (6–12 months)
Focus: building clinical competence, earning base certifications

Year 3–5 (Staff RN, Building Specialization):

Salary range: $68,000–$95,000
Specialty certifications earned (CCRN, CEN, etc.)
Charge nurse and preceptor roles begin adding leadership experience and often pay differentials

Year 5–10 (Experienced RN):

Salary range: $80,000–$115,000 in high-pay states
Some nurses pursue Nurse Practitioner or CRNA programs at this stage
Nurse managers and clinical educators typically earn above the staff nurse median

Year 10+ (Senior Clinician or Advanced Practice):

Staff nurse: $90,000–$130,000 in high-cost markets
Nurse Practitioner: $115,000–$145,000 nationally
CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist): $170,000–$220,000 nationally — among the highest-paid non-physician healthcare roles

For the full NP career path, see our nurse practitioner career guide.

🚀 How to Maximize Your RN Salary in 2026

1. Target states with both high salaries AND active shortages. The best combination is high nominal salary plus market scarcity. California, Texas, and Washington all score well on this. North Dakota and Iowa offer the most desperate demand relative to their size, which translates to signing bonuses and rapid advancement.

2. Night and weekend differentials add $5,000–$15,000 annually. Most acute care settings pay 10–20% shift differentials for nights, evenings, and weekends. A nurse who works three night shifts per week consistently earns meaningfully more than their nominal hourly rate suggests.

3. ICU, ER, and OR command premiums over med-surg. If you are a new grad choosing your first unit, specialty units offer higher base pay, more certification pathways, and better long-term salary trajectories. ICU nurses earn roughly 8–15% more than med-surg nurses nationally.

4. Travel nursing is still viable in high-shortage markets. While the post-COVID travel nurse premium has moderated, skilled travel nurses in high-shortage states (North Dakota, Texas, Georgia) continue to earn packages worth $100,000–$150,000 annually including housing stipends and tax-advantaged per diems. See our travel nursing salary guide.

5. Employer tuition reimbursement makes BSN and NP programs nearly free. Most large health systems offer $5,000–$10,000 per year in tuition reimbursement. Over a two-to-four-year BSN-to-NP or RN-to-BSN program, this can cover the entire cost of advanced education while you continue earning.

Start Your Search 🔍

The 2026 nursing market offers qualified RNs more options and leverage than at almost any point in the profession's history. The question is not whether you can find a job — it is which market, setting, and opportunity path is right for you.

🔗 Further Reading

Data from BLS OEWS, Research.com, and AACN. Updated July 2026.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which state pays registered nurses the most in 2026?

California pays registered nurses the most of any state in 2026, with an average annual salary of [$150,280](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm) according to BLS data. Washington ($121,540) and Hawaii ($115,000 estimated) follow. However, California's extreme housing costs mean that a nurse's actual purchasing power in Sacramento or Los Angeles may not be proportionally higher than in lower-cost states like Washington (outside Seattle), Oregon, or Nevada. The cost-of-living-adjusted rankings shift considerably when housing is factored in.

How severe is the nursing shortage in the United States in 2026?

The national nursing shortage in 2026 is significant and structural. The overall supply of nursing staff is projected to meet approximately 91.94% of demand — a shortage rate of 8.06%, representing an estimated [358,000 vacant positions](https://nightingale.edu/blog/nursing-shortage-by-state.html). The shortage is sharpest among LPNs (20% shortage) and RNs (10% shortage). States like North Dakota (16% RN gap), Texas (12.6% unmet demand), and Georgia have the most acute deficits. The shortage is driven by an aging patient population, retiring nurses, and a faculty shortage that limits new RN graduates per year.

What is the difference in pay between an ADN nurse and a BSN nurse?

BSN-prepared nurses typically earn 5–10% more than ADN nurses at comparable experience levels, primarily because BSN nurses qualify for a wider range of positions — particularly at Magnet-designated hospitals and large academic medical centers that increasingly require or strongly prefer BSN at hire. Over a 20-year career, this differential compounds significantly. Many employers also offer faster advancement to charge nurse, educator, and management roles to BSN nurses. ADN nurses who complete an RN-to-BSN program (typically 12–24 months online) can close this gap relatively quickly.

Is travel nursing still worth it for RNs in 2026?

Travel nursing rates normalized significantly after the COVID-era peak in 2021–2022, but skilled nurses in high-demand specialties (ICU, ER, OR) in high-shortage states continue to earn competitive packages. Total travel nurse compensation — including base hourly rate, tax-free housing stipend, and per diem allowances — in shortage states like North Dakota, Texas, and Georgia can still total $100,000–$150,000 annually for experienced nurses. The key is targeting states with genuine shortages rather than markets where travel demand has subsided. See our [complete travel nurse salary guide](/blog/2026-06-29-travel-nurse-salary-guide-united-states-2026) for current package breakdowns.