Registered Nurse Salary Guide 2025: RN Compensation by State, Specialty, and Setting
The national average registered nurse salary in 2025 ranges from $70,000 to $110,000 annually, with significant variation based on geographic location, specialty certification, education level, and practice setting. Understanding current RN compensation trends is essential for healthcare organizations looking to recruit and retain top nursing talent in an increasingly competitive market.
National RN Salary Overview
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and healthcare industry surveys, the median RN salary in 2025 is approximately $82,000, with the following distribution:
- Entry-Level RNs (0-2 years): $60,000 - $75,000
- Experienced RNs (3-5 years): $75,000 - $90,000
- Senior RNs (6-10 years): $85,000 - $105,000
- Expert RNs (10+ years): $95,000 - $120,000+
When recruiting nurses for your healthcare facility, understanding these compensation benchmarks helps you create competitive offers that attract qualified candidates.
RN Salary by State
Geographic location significantly impacts registered nurse salaries. The highest-paying states for RNs in 2025 include:
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for RNs
-
California: $115,000 - $145,000 average
- San Francisco Bay Area: $130,000 - $160,000
- Los Angeles metro: $120,000 - $150,000
- San Diego: $110,000 - $140,000
-
Hawaii: $105,000 - $125,000 average
- Island location premiums
- High cost of living adjustment
-
Massachusetts: $100,000 - $120,000 average
- Boston metro: $105,000 - $130,000
- Strong union presence
-
Oregon: $98,000 - $118,000 average
- Portland metro: $100,000 - $125,000
-
Alaska: $95,000 - $115,000 average
- Remote location premiums
- Travel incentives
-
Washington: $95,000 - $115,000 average
- Seattle metro: $100,000 - $125,000
-
New York: $93,000 - $113,000 average
- NYC metro: $95,000 - $120,000
- Upstate: $85,000 - $105,000
-
New Jersey: $90,000 - $110,000 average
- Northern NJ (NYC suburbs): $95,000 - $115,000
-
Connecticut: $88,000 - $108,000 average
-
Nevada: $87,000 - $107,000 average
- Las Vegas metro: $90,000 - $110,000
Regional Salary Variations
West Coast: Highest RN salaries, driven by strong nurse-to-patient ratios legislation, union contracts, and high cost of living.
Northeast: Competitive compensation, especially in major metros (Boston, NYC, Philadelphia), with strong benefits packages.
Midwest: Moderate salaries ($70,000 - $90,000 average) balanced by lower cost of living, making total compensation competitive.
South: Generally lower base salaries ($65,000 - $85,000 average), but growing markets in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are increasing compensation.
Rural Areas: Often 10-20% lower than urban areas, but increasingly offering loan forgiveness programs, sign-on bonuses, and relocation assistance to compete.
BSN vs ADN Salary Comparison
Educational level impacts RN compensation and career opportunities:
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Average Salary: $70,000 - $85,000
- Entry Points: Staff nurse positions, long-term care, outpatient clinics
- Career Ceiling: Limited advancement without BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Average Salary: $75,000 - $95,000 (premium of $5K-$10K over ADN)
- Career Opportunities: Management, specialty units, Magnet hospitals, graduate school eligibility
- Market Preference: Many hospitals now require or strongly prefer BSN
Trend: Increasing BSN preference by employers. Many facilities offer tuition reimbursement for ADN-to-BSN programs.
RN Salary by Specialty
Nursing specialty significantly affects compensation:
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties
Critical Care/ICU Nurse: $80,000 - $110,000
- 1:1 or 1:2 patient ratios
- Complex monitoring and interventions
- Requires CCRN certification (often)
Emergency Department Nurse: $78,000 - $108,000
- Fast-paced environment
- Trauma and acute care
- CEN certification valued
Operating Room Nurse: $77,000 - $107,000
- Surgical assistance
- Sterile technique expertise
- CNOR certification premium
Labor & Delivery Nurse: $75,000 - $105,000
- Maternal-fetal care
- High-risk deliveries
- 24/7 coverage needs
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): $180,000 - $250,000
- Requires MSN/DNP
- Highest-paid nursing specialty
- Independent anesthesia practice
Nurse Practitioner: $105,000 - $150,000
- Advanced practice role
- Requires graduate degree
- Prescriptive authority
Pediatric Nurse: $70,000 - $95,000 Medical-Surgical Nurse: $68,000 - $92,000 Long-Term Care Nurse: $65,000 - $88,000
RN Salary by Practice Setting
Practice setting impacts both compensation and work environment:
Hospital Nursing
Academic Medical Centers: $75,000 - $110,000
- Teaching hospitals
- Complex patients
- Advanced technology
- Research opportunities
Community Hospitals: $70,000 - $100,000
- General patient populations
- More predictable schedules
- Community connections
Specialty Hospitals: $75,000 - $105,000
- Focused patient populations (cardiac, pediatric, psychiatric)
- Specialty expertise required
Outpatient Settings
Ambulatory Surgery Centers: $68,000 - $95,000 Physician Office Practices: $65,000 - $88,000 Dialysis Centers: $68,000 - $92,000 Infusion Centers: $70,000 - $92,000
Long-Term Care
Skilled Nursing Facilities: $65,000 - $88,000 Assisted Living: $62,000 - $82,000 Home Health: $68,000 - $92,000 Hospice: $68,000 - $90,000
Other Settings
School Nursing: $55,000 - $75,000 (often follows teacher schedules) Correctional Nursing: $70,000 - $95,000 Travel Nursing: $80,000 - $150,000+ (with stipends and bonuses) Public Health: $60,000 - $85,000
Shift Differentials and Premium Pay
Many RN positions include additional compensation for specific shifts and circumstances:
Shift Differentials
- Evening Shift (3pm-11pm): $2-$5 per hour
- Night Shift (11pm-7am): $4-$8 per hour
- Weekend Shifts: $3-$6 per hour premium
- Charge Nurse: $2-$5 per hour additional
Annual Impact: Night shift differential can add $8,000-$16,000 to base salary annually.
Other Premium Pay
- On-Call Pay: $2-$5 per hour while on call
- Call-Back Pay: Time and a half or double time
- Holiday Pay: Time and a half or double time
- Overtime: Time and a half after 40 hours (or 36 hours in CA)
- Preceptor Pay: $1-$3 per hour for training new nurses
Compensation Beyond Base Salary
Total RN compensation packages include:
Sign-On Bonuses
- New Graduates: $5,000 - $10,000
- Experienced RNs: $10,000 - $25,000
- Specialty Nurses (ICU, OR, ER): $15,000 - $30,000
- Rural/Underserved Areas: $20,000 - $40,000
Typically paid in installments (e.g., 50% at hire, 50% after 1 year).
Student Loan Repayment
- Federal Programs (NURSE Corps): Up to $85,000 over 3 years for underserved areas
- State Programs: $5,000 - $30,000 depending on location
- Employer Programs: $2,000 - $10,000 total
Tuition Reimbursement
- BSN Programs: $3,000 - $8,000 per year
- MSN/DNP Programs: $5,000 - $12,000 per year
- Certification Courses: $500 - $2,000
Benefits
- Health Insurance: Employer-sponsored (family coverage)
- Retirement: 401(k) with 3-6% match, pension plans (government/union)
- PTO: 15-30 days annually (increases with tenure)
- Continuing Education: $500 - $2,000 annually
- Certification Support: Exam fees and prep courses covered
Recruiting Nurses: Competitive Compensation Strategies
For healthcare organizations looking to recruit RNs:
1. Research Market Rates
Use salary data by state and specialty to benchmark your offers against local competitors.
2. Emphasize Total Compensation
Highlight:
- Sign-on bonuses
- Shift differentials
- Tuition reimbursement
- Loan forgiveness programs
- Comprehensive benefits
- Professional development support
3. Create Competitive Advantage
- Safe Staffing: Advertise nurse-to-patient ratios
- Career Ladders: Clear advancement pathways
- Flexible Scheduling: Self-scheduling, shift options
- Culture: Magnet designation, shared governance
- Location: Relocation assistance for desirable areas
4. Target Specialty-Specific Needs
Critical care, OR, and ED nurses require premium compensation. Budget 10-20% above general med-surg rates for these specialties.
5. Offer New Graduate Programs
- 12-16 week residency programs
- Dedicated preceptors
- Cohort support
- Competitive starting salaries ($60K-$75K depending on region)
Find Registered Nurses to Recruit
Looking to hire RNs for your healthcare organization? Browse HealthTal's directory of registered nurses to find qualified candidates:
- Search by state, city, and specialty
- Filter by education level (ADN, BSN, MSN)
- View years of experience and certifications
- Access direct contact information
- Find nurses actively seeking positions
Conclusion
Registered nurse salaries in 2025 reflect strong market demand and the critical shortage of nursing professionals. To successfully recruit and retain nurses:
- Offer competitive base salaries - Research regional and specialty-specific rates
- Provide comprehensive benefits - Sign-on bonuses, loan repayment, tuition assistance
- Emphasize work environment - Safe ratios, supportive culture, career growth
- Invest in professional development - Certification support, continuing education
- Recognize specialty value - Premium pay for critical care, OR, ED nurses
Understanding RN compensation trends enables healthcare organizations to create attractive offers that recruit top nursing talent in today's competitive market.
Salary data compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Health Workforce, state boards of nursing surveys, and HealthTal database insights. Figures represent 2025 market rates.
