The national median salary for Registered Nurses is $98,363 per year ($47.29/hr) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024. The middle 50% of earners make between $80,122 and $123,406 annually. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $152,693 per year. There are approximately 3,159,900 registered nurses employed in the United States.
Wage Percentiles
Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours)
Percentile
Hourly Rate
Annual Salary
P10
$31.47
$65,458
P25
$38.52
$80,122
P50MEDIAN
$47.29
$98,363
P75
$59.33
$123,406
P90
$73.41
$152,693
Market Context Signal
JOLTS · health sector
Hot
Openings Rate
5.4%
Quits Rate
2.4%
Health Care shows elevated openings and above-average quit rates — one of the most competitive talent markets. Compensation pressure is real and sustained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average registered nurses salary?
The national median salary for Registered Nurses is $98,363 per year ($47.29/hr) according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. The middle 50% earn between $80,122 and $123,406 annually.
How much do top-earning registered nurses make?
The 90th percentile salary for Registered Nurses is $152,693 per year ($73.41/hr). The 75th percentile is $123,406 per year.
What is the entry-level salary for registered nurses?
Entry-level Registered Nurses (10th percentile) earn approximately $65,458 per year ($31.47/hr). The 25th percentile is $80,122 per year.