Last Updated: April 2026
Nursing Salary Database — 2026
Browse the most comprehensive nursing salary database available. Our data covers registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and travel nurses across all 50 states — reviewed regularly and updated as new BLS figures and market conditions change.
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Compare RN pay across all 50 states with cost-of-living data.
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CRNA, NP, ICU, ER, NICU, L&D, and 15+ more specialties.
How We Collect Our Data
We combine three data sources for accuracy: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, real-world pay packages from travel nursing agencies, and self-reported salary surveys from our nurse community. Data is cross-referenced and reviewed as new information becomes available.
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties — 2026
| Specialty | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist) | $214,200 | $103/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,260 | $60.70/hr |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $95,270 | $45.80/hr |
| Emergency Room RN | $89,010 | $42.79/hr |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $86,340 | $41.51/hr |
| NICU RN | $84,490 | $40.62/hr |
| Med-Surg RN | $77,600 | $37.31/hr |
| Charge Nurse | $82,750 | $39.78/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel survey data
Highest-Paying States for Nurses — 2026
| State | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | $59.62/hr |
| Hawaii | $106,530 | $51.22/hr |
| Oregon | $102,700 | $49.38/hr |
| Washington | $100,890 | $48.51/hr |
| New York | $98,560 | $47.38/hr |
| Massachusetts | $96,630 | $46.46/hr |
| New Jersey | $94,690 | $45.52/hr |
| Connecticut | $93,370 | $44.89/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025
Average RN Salary Trends (2020–2026)
Nursing salaries have grown 18% nationally since 2020, driven by post-pandemic staffing shortages and increased demand for specialized care. Travel nursing pay peaked in 2022 and has normalized but remains well above pre-pandemic levels — roughly 15–20% higher in most markets. The national average RN salary in 2026 is approximately $89,000.
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📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
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