What Registered Nurses do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Registered Nurses this way: "Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records"; "Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions"; "Record patients' medical information and vital signs"; "Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions"; "Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Registered Nurses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 3,465,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 3,660,100 in 2035, an increase of 194,700 jobs (+5.6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 180,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 5.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $97,550, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Registered Nurses earn the most
Across the 43 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $76,633 in Alabama to $151,152 in California, a gap of $74,518 (1.97 times). 16 of those 43 states average above the BLS national median of $97,550 and 27 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 328,270, which is 7.6% of the 4,302,420 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 292,560.
Highest-paying states
California ($151,152), Oregon ($126,881) and Washington ($123,996) lead the ranking, while Alabama ($76,633) and Mississippi ($78,685) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Registered Nurses: pay against the cost of living
We compare 104 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Santa Clara County, CA (San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA) at $102,166. The smallest margin is $38,401 in Jefferson County, AL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 104 of the 104 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.4% and 37.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Registered Nurses
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-1000) include General Internal Medicine Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners.
Frequently asked questions about Registered Nurses
How much do Registered Nurses earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $97,550. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $76,633 to $151,152.
Which state pays Registered Nurses the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $151,152. Oregon is next at $126,881.
Is Registered Nurses a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 180,800 openings a year.
What education do Registered Nurses need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Registered Nurses afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Santa Clara County, CA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $102,166 on a median wage of $216,740.