Highest-Paying States for Registered Nurses in 2022

^{Reviewed by: Kiley Griffin, R.N.}

Average registered nurse salaries vary significantly from state-to-state. In the United States overall, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the BLS).

$63,460 lower than California’s average is South Dakota, at $60,540. With such a wide possible salary range, it may pay off for nurses to consider moving to a higher-paying state. On the other hand, it may not; large cost of living differences between states means the same dollar you earn in one state may not go as far as in another.

Read on to learn more about which state pay their nurses the most, both in absolute terms and after factoring in cost of living.

In this article:

• Highest-paying states for RNs
• Highest-paying states, adjusted for cost of living
• RN salaries in all 50 states

Highest-paying states for registered nurses

California tops our list of the highest-paying states for RNs, with nurses receiving $124,000 per year on average. Following it is Hawaii, at $106,530, and Oregon at $98,6300. Washington, D.C., while not technically a state, also ranks among the top-paying U.S. regions with an average RN salary of $98,540.

Top 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses

See salaries by state for:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
• Nurse Practitioners
• Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs)

Highest-paying states for RNs, adjusted for cost of living

The cost of living index is a measure of the relative purchasing power of a dollar for things like groceries, housing, and transportation. Regions where these essential goods are more costly than the U.S. average have a higher cost of living index; areas where these same goods tend to be cheaper are estimated to have a lower cost of living. As of 2021, Hawaii tops the list at 119.3, while Mississippi comes in lowest, at 87.8.

Adjusting each state’s average RN salary by its cost of living index gives us a potentially more accurate means of comparing where nurses get paid the most.

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It’s not just about the absolute size of the paycheck, but about how far those wages will go for a nurse’s budget.

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California sits atop the list of highest-paying states for nurses after adjusting for cost of living. The Golden State’s adjusted RN salary average is $106,529 – much lower than its $124,000 non-adjusted salary thanks to a higher cost of living. Following closely behind are Oregon ($96,131) and Alaska ($92,512).

Top 10 highest-paying states for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living

Editor’s note: Cost-of-living salaries have not been updated as of April 4, 2022.

Registered nurse salaries in all 50 states

Hospitals and other healthcare organizations employ registered nurses in every state across the U.S. Use the map up top or the list below to find your own state’s average RN salary.

Article Sources

• “May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.” bls.gov. Accessed April 1, 2022.
• “Regional Price Parities by State and Metro Area.” bea.gov. Accessed April 1, 2022.

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Questions from the Incredible Health Nurse Community

• What is the most effective way to negotiate for higher pay? My peers in the same area are making almost $4/hr more than I am.
• How much should a RN with 22yrs combined specialty get paid in NC when applying straight to a facility, not travel?

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