Registered Nurse Salary
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support. They work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Registered Nurse
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | $139,520 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $135,560 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $130,310 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $128,260 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $119,720 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $106,180 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $103,040 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $102,710 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | $101,420 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $161,409 |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $124,697 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $123,609 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $119,367 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $115,411 |
| 6 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $106,358 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | 98.6 | $101,218 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | 100.1 | $100,432 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $99,821 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | 103.1 | $98,380 |
Registered Nurse Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $137,120 | $186,610 | $215,630 | $223,770 | 41,750 |
| San Diego, CA | $128,380 | $139,520 | $169,920 | $175,210 | 28,680 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,070 | $135,560 | $167,800 | $174,200 | 109,360 |
| Portland, OR | $108,280 | $130,310 | $136,460 | $155,650 | 24,220 |
| Seattle, WA | $104,540 | $128,260 | $136,780 | $163,890 | 39,900 |
| New York, NY | $103,970 | $119,720 | $133,230 | $159,240 | 197,740 |
| Boston, MA | $94,870 | $106,180 | $153,380 | $188,670 | 64,240 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $94,170 | $103,040 | $123,900 | $133,450 | 43,600 |
| Washington, DC | $84,610 | $102,710 | $119,620 | $132,900 | 46,830 |
| Dallas, TX | $81,640 | $101,420 | $110,630 | $129,710 | 76,680 |
| Denver, CO | $85,390 | $101,130 | $109,760 | $125,870 | 30,380 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $82,320 | $100,830 | $108,840 | $130,930 | 53,700 |
| Chicago, IL | $82,640 | $100,490 | $108,430 | $119,260 | 100,240 |
| Atlanta, GA | $82,500 | $100,490 | $108,680 | $132,230 | 56,460 |
| Houston, TX | $81,890 | $99,830 | $116,000 | $130,440 | 65,910 |
| Austin, TX | $81,540 | $97,890 | $106,450 | $127,510 | 18,920 |
| Detroit, MI | $82,470 | $97,280 | $104,150 | $110,650 | 44,310 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,810 | $93,580 | $98,530 | $117,970 | 15,700 |
| Miami, FL | $80,510 | $91,380 | $104,320 | $129,150 | 61,670 |
| Charlotte, NC | $81,160 | $90,620 | $103,660 | $110,020 | 27,010 |
| El Paso, TX | $74,330 | $86,100 | $98,100 | $117,220 | 7,320 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $80,900 | $85,890 | $105,550 | $115,460 | 14,070 |
| Louisville, KY | $77,870 | $84,850 | $97,710 | $118,200 | 18,180 |
| Raleigh, NC | $78,430 | $84,830 | $104,040 | $110,220 | 12,780 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $79,080 | $84,230 | $101,970 | $105,240 | 25,800 |
| Nashville, TN | $81,630 | $84,040 | $103,550 | $112,030 | 25,100 |
| Columbus, OH | $80,070 | $83,900 | $101,360 | $105,770 | 30,510 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $77,670 | $82,920 | $99,530 | $102,720 | 16,530 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $78,700 | $82,370 | $101,010 | $111,790 | 29,360 |
| Memphis, TN | $78,900 | $81,500 | $95,780 | $112,310 | 13,760 |
Compare Registered Nurse Salaries: City vs City
5About the Registered Nurse Role
Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support. They work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.
Compensation for Registered Nurses varies by metro — from $81,500 at the low end in Memphis, TN to $186,610 in San Francisco, CA. The $105,110 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see registered nurse salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in the US?
The national median Registered Nurse salary is $97,550 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $80,330 and the 90th percentile reaches $137,470.
Which city pays Registered Nurses the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Registered Nurses at $186,610 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). San Diego, CA ($139,520) and Los Angeles, CA ($135,560) are next.