How much does a nurse make?
a year · about $47 an hour
A typical nurse in the United States makes $97,550 a year, about $47 an hour, about 1.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A nurse starts by hearing updates from the last shift, then checks patients’ symptoms and vital signs. They give medicines, record changes, coordinate with the care team, and explain care to patients and families.
Did you know? Some U.S. RNs work away from the bedside: insurers and drug makers hire nurses for health planning, consulting, and quality checks.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $68,940 and $137,470How do you become one?
Complete an approved nursing program—an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or approved diploma—then pass the NCLEX-RN. Apply for a license through your state nursing board; many new RNs begin as staff nurses.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, education, and specialty credentials can matter; some employers require certifications. Pay also differs by state and workplace, and hospital night, weekend, or holiday shifts may bring extra shift pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($140,270), lowest in Alabama ($77,080).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Kids' questions
In Japan, a nurse averages $34,981. Nurse salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $68,940 | $97,550 | $137,470 | about 3.4 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $140,270 | about 339,000 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | about 13,000 |
| Oregon | $129,010 | about 40,000 |
| Washington | $124,200 | about 69,000 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | about 8,000 |
Official definition: 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. Includes Clinical Nurse Specialists. Excludes “Nurse Anesthetists” (29-1151), “Nurse Midwives” (29-1161), and “Nurse Practitioners” (29-1171).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
- www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-fact-sheet.page
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/earnings.htm
- www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/cwc/supplemental-pay-in-the-healthcare-industry-overtime-pa
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY