RN Nurse Exam Prep in the United States

Nursing is difficult work, and sometimes it seems like the pay doesn’t match the amount of work you put into it.  Of course, everyone wants to get paid more, and that’s why it is important to look at the highest paid nursing jobs that are out there.  Registered nurse salaries can vary for many reasons, and one of the most common reasons for it to vary is due to region.

Here is a list of average Registered Nurse salaries for all states in the U.S.A. A quick reference for total employment numbers, hourly wages and average annual salary for RN’s on a state by state basis.

What else affects nursing salaries?

Besides region, what else can affect compensation rates? Of course, experience is probably the number one reason a nurse would get paid more.  A new grad is unlikely to get paid as much as someone who has been on the floor for five years. Another factor is education. Most facilities are paying more for those who have a BSN as they are moving toward getting Magnet designation. As a traveler, a more advanced degree makes you a more desirable hire.

Another element to consider is specialization. An area with an aging population isn’t going to need many pediatric nurses.  However, a thriving metropolis will need critical care, trauma, and surgical techs. In the states with the fewest people, medical surgical nurses may be in demand because they can do a wider range of things than a more specialized nurse can.  Their value lies in their ability to use that flexibility to help as many people as possible.

If you have great experience, meet the specialty needs, and happen to go to a high-paying state, you just may get one of the highest RN salaries. While pay may sometimes be your top priority, at other times you may have family needs that make one location more attractive than another.

You can sort the table, search it and click on the link for your own state – with a more detailed breakdown of the data.