Registered Nurse Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Registered Nurses in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $80,000/year, ranging from $62,000 (25th percentile) to $124,000 (90th percentile). After Minnesota state taxes (6.8%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 111), this is equivalent to $72,072 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Minneapolis, MN
Health systems like Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, and HealthPartners employ substantial nursing teams across the Twin Cities, offering stability and room for specialty advancement. Rent for a one-bedroom in neighborhoods like Northeast Minneapolis or St. Paul's Highland Park runs around $1,400 to $1,600 monthly, which is manageable on a median salary but leaves less cushion than you'd find in lower cost-of-living metros. The Twin Cities sprawl means most nurses drive or rely on the Metro Transit bus network, though light rail connections are expanding along key corridors. Keep Minnesota's 6.8 percent state income tax in mind when comparing your take-home to other regions; it's steeper than many states but funds robust infrastructure and schools that stabilize the area's long-term appeal.
1Salary Distribution in Minneapolis, MN
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Minneapolis, MN Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN (current) | $80,000 | 111 | $72,072 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,000 | 186 | $69,892 |
| New York, NY | $105,000 | 187 | $56,150 |
| Seattle, WA | $115,000 | 162 | $70,988 |
| Boston, MA | $108,000 | 162 | $66,667 |
| Austin, TX | $82,000 | 124 | $66,129 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Minneapolis, MN?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Minneapolis, MN is $80,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $62,000 and the 90th percentile is $124,000.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a Registered Nurse?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $80,000 Registered Nurse salary in Minneapolis, MN is equivalent to $72,072 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111, meaning it is 11% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Minnesota is approximately 6.8%.
What is the Registered Nurse salary range in Minneapolis, MN?
In Minneapolis, MN, Registered Nurses earn between $62,000 (25th percentile) and $124,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,000 per year.
How many Registered Nurse jobs are there in Minneapolis, MN?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 30,000 Registered Nurse positions in the Minneapolis, MN metropolitan area.
What do Registered Nurses earn in Minneapolis, MN?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Registered Nurses in Minneapolis, MN earn a median annual wage of $80,000. The middle 50% earn between $62,000 and $102,000. The top 10% earn more than $124,000. There are approximately 30,000 Registered Nurses employed in the Minneapolis, MN metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3%.
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place for a Registered Nurse?
Minneapolis, MN has a cost of living index of 111 (US average = 100), making it 11% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Registered Nurse in Minneapolis, MN earning $80,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $72,072 relative to the US median. Minnesota has a state income tax rate of approximately 6.8%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, MN's cost of living index is 111, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $80,000 in Minneapolis, MNhas the same purchasing power as $72,072 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Minneapolis, MN with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Registered Nurse in Minneapolis, MN?
The headline median of $80,000 is only part of the picture. Minneapolis, MN's cost of living index is 111 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 90¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $80,000 salary effectively purchases $72,072 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Minneapolis, MN, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $80,000 salary, that translates to roughly $25,600/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Minnesota levies a state income tax of approximately 6.8%, which reduces take-home by roughly $5,440 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $68,893. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($130,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($105,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($115,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 3% year-over-year growth rate for Registered Nurses in Minneapolis, MN is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Registered Nurses or the Minnesota state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.