[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses have carried a heavy burden since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Over a year later, they continue to face unprecedented challenges, overwhelmed with patient care responsibilities while risking their own physical and mental health working in underequipped and unsafe conditions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These unanticipated circumstances have also drawn attention to the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system. The need for healthcare professionals in this time of crisis, combined with the national nursing shortage, has resulted in higher compensation for nurses at every level, which may last beyond the pandemic.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide presents data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on 2020 nursing salaries, released in March of 2021. Nurses just entering the field or those already committed to the profession can explore which states and cities offer the highest salaries, where salaries have increased the most, and how these trends will affect the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/reasons-to-choose-a-career-in-nursing//”]nursing profession[/hen-ui-link] in the future.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Did Nurses Earn in 2020?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing salaries have climbed significantly in the five years preceding the pandemic. [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/rn-salary//”]Registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have experienced the highest increases since 2016.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-anesthetist/salary/”]Certified registered nurse anesthetists[/hen-ui-link] (CRNAs), [hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/salary/”]certified nurse midwive[/hen-ui-link]s (CNMs), and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/salary-by-state/”]nurse practitioners[/hen-ui-link] (NPs) all earned median salaries in the six figures. CRNAs, among the most highly regarded and specialized of all nursing specialties, earned a mean annual wage of over $223,000, according to the most recent BLS data.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Average Nursing Salary by Year and Occupation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The growing demand for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers to train the next generation of nursing professionals has steadily boosted salaries for these educators. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]Nursing assistants[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]licensed practical and vocational nurses[/hen-ui-link] (LPN/LVNs) who typically enter the field without four-year degrees continue to earn less than RNs with bachelor’s degrees or higher. With an average salary of $62,340, these nurses make more than the national average of $49,500 for all U.S. occupations but less than other nurses including registered nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Did Nursing Salaries Change Last Year?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While APRNs earn the highest salaries among all nursing roles, salary increases among nursing occupations in 2020 vary considerably. These differences reflect education levels and specialized certification, as well as changing healthcare needs.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Difference in Nursing Salaries from 2019-2020[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Occupation[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Percentage Increase[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Increase in Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Nurse Midwives[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]6.2%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$6,730[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Nurse Anesthetists[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]4.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$8,150[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Nursing Assistants[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]4.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$1,330[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]3.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,550[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Licensed Practical Nurses[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]3.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$1,590[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]2.4%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,670[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Occupation”]1.1%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$900[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNMs have experienced the highest salary increase by percentage, with a higher average annual pay than general RNs and nurse practitioners. These earnings have risen, along with the demand for their services, in response to changing perceptions about prenatal care and natural childbirth.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The aging population’s healthcare needs have also resulted in higher salaries for RNs, nursing assistants, and LPN/LVNs providing long-term care, primary care, and preventive patient services.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As nursing shortages continue to affect some areas of the United States, nursing schools have struggled with [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage” target=”_blank”]capacity issues[/hen-ui-link], unable to admit more students or hire the needed faculty to train them, resulting in flat salary levels for nurse educators.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Which States Have the Highest 2020 RN Salaries?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nursing salaries generally reflect state-specific factors, such as population density, nursing shortages in underrepresented communities, labor conditions, and cost of living. The highest-paid nurses work in western states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the upper East Coast, while southern and midwestern states pay the lowest salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]California leads all states for overall nursing compensation, with salaries twice as high as those in the lowest-paying states of Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota, where RNs earn $61,000 or less annually. The relatively low salaries paid to RNs in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota correspond in part to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nhqrnet.ahrq.gov/inhqrdr/state/select” target=”_blank”]inadequate state funding for healthcare[/hen-ui-link] in rural and underserved areas, along with continuing restrictions against labor unions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While these states pay less competitive wages than other parts of the country, they offer relatively low living costs for essentials such as groceries, housing, transportation, and utilities. In contrast, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/new-york/”]New York[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link], and Oregon, which all rank among the top-paying states for RNs, also report the highest average cost of living figures among all fifty states.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Average 2020 RN Salary by State[/hen-ui-heading]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top 10 States by 2020 RN Salary[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Total RN Employment[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]1[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]California[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$120,560[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]307,060[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Hawaii[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$104,830[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]11,260[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]3[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Massachusetts[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$96,250[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]84,030[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]4[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Oregon[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$96,230[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]36,840[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]5[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Alaska[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$95,270[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]6,240[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]6[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Washington[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$91,310[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]59,300[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]7[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]New York[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$89,760[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]178,550[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]8[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Nevada[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$89,750[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]23,420[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]9[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]New Jersey[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$85,720[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]78,590[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]10[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Connecticut[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]$84,850[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]33,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]In Which States Did RN Salaries Increase the Most?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]California, with its large geographic area, booming population, and high wages for healthcare workers, reports the biggest increase in RN salaries, growing by 6.5% from 2019-2020. This increase stands in stark contrast to some of the less populated and smaller states, like Alabama, Delaware, and Rhode Island, which offered raises of less than 1%, or, with Washington, D.C., a decrease in RN salaries of 0.5%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, other states across the country also report high increases in RN salaries, ranging from almost 4% in Arkansas and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/north-carolina/”]North Carolina[/hen-ui-link] to 6% in Washington. Some increases came about to help alleviate the growing burden placed on nurses during the COVID-19 crisis.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In states where the nursing workforce had already become overburdened and understaffed before the pandemic began, [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/healthcare-administration/salary/”]healthcare administrators[/hen-ui-link] and public health officials, concerned about looming nursing shortages, have begun to advocate for higher salaries.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top 10 States by Percentage Increase in RN Salary from 2019-2020[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Percentage Increase[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Increase in Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]1[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]California[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]6.5%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$7,320[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Washington[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]6.0%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$5,140[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]3[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Wyoming[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]5.7%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,910[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]4[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Alaska[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]5.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$4,770[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]5[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]North Dakota[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]5.0%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,340[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]6[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/maryland/”]Maryland[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]4.7%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,680[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]7[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Nebraska[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]4.3%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,840[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]8[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Pennsylvania[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]3.9%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,760[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]9[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]North Carolina[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]3.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,510[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]10[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Arkansas[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]3.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$2,310[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Which Cities Have the Highest 2020 RN Salaries?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Six metropolitan areas in California top the list of all U.S. cities with the highest registered nursing salaries in both 2019 and 2020. Urban centers around Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and New York City also ranked among the top ten.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.pe.com/2016/10/22/california-registered-nurses-are-best-paid-in-us/#:~:text=High%20demand%2C%20the%20high%20cost,they%20retire%20with%20health%20benefits.” target=”_blank”]California’s urban areas[/hen-ui-link], where the demand for RNs continues to outweigh the supply, higher salaries help offset the high cost of living. The strong [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-union-pros-cons/”]union movement[/hen-ui-link] among nurses in the state has bolstered compensation by securing pension and healthcare benefits. The state restricts the scope of practice for LVNs, leading employers to hire RNs and pay them accordingly for the full range of services they provide.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The high salaries for nurses in [hen-ui-link href=”https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-washington-are-top-2-states-for-nurses-study-finds” target=”_blank”]Portland and Seattle[/hen-ui-link] reflect the needs of their rapidly aging populations, high rates of nursing turnover and retirements, and the growing number of healthcare facilities and share of nursing homes. RNs continue to find employment opportunities and competitive salaries in the New York City urban area — home to several of the nation’s best hospitals and medical clinics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Average 2020 RN Salary by City[/hen-ui-heading]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top 10 Cities by 2020 RN Salary[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Metropolitan Area[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Total RN Employment[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]1[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$149,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]40,600[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$146,870[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]17,750[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]3[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$134,350[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]21,920[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]4[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$113,120[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]109,790[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]5[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]San Diego-Carlsbad, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$111,620[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]24,840[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]6[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$109,830[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]30,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]7[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$99,410[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]62,260[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]8[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$98,700[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]22,240[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]9[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$95,120[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]33,660[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]10[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]$94,920[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]173,570[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]In Which Cities Did RN Salaries Increase the Most?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN salary increases across the country reflect several societal trends. Continuing nursing shortages exacerbated by retirements and turnover, and the growing demand for primary and preventive healthcare by an aging population have driven efforts to offer nurses more competitive salaries and raises.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary increases also reflect the newfound appreciation for the value of nurses and the critical healthcare functions they have performed during the pandemic. Urban areas around San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, which rank among the most expensive places to live, typically offer more competitive salaries to offset housing costs and other essential living expenses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2020, California’s major cities paid RNs the highest average salaries with some of the largest pay increases. The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area ranks first for both highest overall average registered nursing salary in the U.S. and largest increase in average RN salary.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top 10 Cities by Percentage Increase in RN Salary from 2019-2020[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Metropolitan Area[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Percentage Increase[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Increase in Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]1[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]8.1%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$11,200[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]6.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$4,460[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]3[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]6.5%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$6,930[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]4[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]San Diego-Carlsbad, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]6.4%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$6,760[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]5[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]6.2%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$7,790[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]6[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]5.1%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,590[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]7[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]5.0%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,950[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]8[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]4.9%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,270[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]9[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]4.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$4,390[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]10[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Metropolitan Area”]4.7%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentage Increase”]$3,070[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Future of Nursing Compensation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Even before COVID-19, nursing salaries had risen in response to population shifts and state-specific economic changes that created nursing shortages and affected employment prospects. Rising salary levels also reflect state and city responses to cost of living, turnover, and [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/guide-to-retirement/”]retirement[/hen-ui-link] among the existing nursing pool.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for skilled nurses has only intensified during the pandemic, as hospitals cope with increased patient loads, overburdened ICU and emergency care units, and lengthy patient stays. Technological innovations, the widening access to [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/telehealth-nurse/”]telehealth[/hen-ui-link] options, and the need for specialized nurses will continue to place upward pressure on RN salaries, contributing to a promising employment outlook in the years ahead.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Methodology[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This article uses data from the BLS, U.S. Department of Labor, and Occupational Employment Statistics, released on March 31st, 2021, and accessed on April 2nd, 2021.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The top metropolitan areas by average RN salary and the percentage increase in average RN salary were limited to the top 50 metropolitan areas by total RN employment to ensure sufficient sample sizes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and salary figures may not fully reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing workforce.[/hen-ui-text]