Nursing Salary by State
Betty Jo Rocchio, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy, a multistate health system based in St. Louis, Missouri, has been a nurse for over 32 years. By five a.m., she’s up and prepping for her weekly flight from Columbus to St. Louis, where she’ll spend the week working and making rounds.
Working in a leadership role gives Rocchio the opportunity to create a culture where nurses and patients can thrive, according to a Johnson & Johnson profile. “What nurses care about most is coming into work, providing great patient care and being able to leave with enough energy for themselves and their families.”
If you’re interested in a rewarding and lucrative career, consider a degree in nursing. Pay ranges can differ depending on your location, work environment and chosen pathway within nursing:
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Advanced Practice Nurse (Certified Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
Location matters. Curious about your potential earnings as a nurse? Here’s a general look at salaries throughout the United States, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Georgetown University • Washington, DC
Master of Science in Nursing
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 23 months
Credits
40-49
Concentrations
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Dual Nurse- Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Admission Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or CNL/entry- level MSN from a CCNE- or ACEN- accredited program
- Hold a current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA
- Have successfully completed a college level three- credit course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- AG-ACNP Applicants Please Note: AG- ACNP requires at least one year of full- time experience in an intensive care unit, emergency department, telemetry unit, or progressive care unit.
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
47-48
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with a preferred GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Current unencumbered and unrestricted U.S Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Current résumé
- Personal statement
- Transcript(s) of academic record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Successfully completed (with a grade of 83 or better) a three-credit course in statistics and a three-credit course in health assessment
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides patients with essential day-to-day care, such as checking vital signs, changing bandages and recording patient concerns. They work under the supervision of a physician in a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital, and may assist with at-home visits. LPNs also maintain medical records, coordinate between the entire medical care team and ensure that patients and families understand proper care outside of a hospital or clinic.
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for an LPN in 2022 was $54,620. Here’s a list of the top-paying states for licensed practical nurses in 2022:
LPN Salary Washington: $69,950
LPN Salary California: $69,930
LPN Salary Massachusetts: $68,170
LPN Salary Rhode Island: $66,770
LPN Salary Alaska: $66,710
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary by State
As with other nursing disciplines, the salary for LPNs varies by geography, according to 2022 BLS data. Interested to see where your state falls? See the state-by-state breakdown below.
Annual mean salary (in U.S. dollars)
Alabama: $45,260
Alaska: $66,710
Arizona: $61,920
Arkansas: $45,990
California: $69,930
Colorado: $60,310
Connecticut: $62,620
Delaware: $57,360
District of Columbia: $62,010
Florida: $53,780
Georgia: $50,830
Guam: $41,810
Hawaii: $55,730
Idaho: $54,710
Illinois: $58,840
Indiana: $55,850
Iowa: $51,400
Kansas: $51,700
Kentucky: $49,570
Louisiana: $47,430
Maine: $55,830
Maryland: $60,180
Massachusetts: $68,170
Michigan: $57,180
Minnesota: $54,870
Mississippi: $45,020
Missouri: $49,500
Montana: $52,420
Nebraska: $52,080
Nevada: $63,910
New Hampshire: $63,550
New Jersey: $61,990
New Mexico: $59,400
New York: $57,560
North Carolina: $53,010
North Dakota: $53,080
Ohio: $52,330
Oklahoma: $48,090
Oregon: $66,190
Pennsylvania: $54,520
Puerto Rico: $26,170
Rhode Island: $66,770
South Carolina: $51,060
South Dakota: $46,000
Tennessee: $46,540
Texas: $52,850
Utah: $55,790
Vermont: $57,150
Virgin Islands: $48,380
Virginia: $52,790
Washington: $69,950
West Virginia: $45,530
Wisconsin: $52,610
Wyoming: $54,880
Registered Nurse Salary
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed medical professional that provides patient care in a range of settings, including major hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and schools. They diagnose and treat conditions that fall under their specific focus, such as oncology, pediatrics or geriatrics. Earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing online can prepare you for this career path.
In 2022, the average annual salary for registered nurses was $81,220, according to BLS data. The top five states for RN earnings are:
RN Salary California: $133,340
RN Salary Hawaii: $113,220
RN Salary Oregon: $ 106,610
RN Salary Massachusetts: $104,150
RN Salary Alaska: $103,310
Registered Nurse Salary by State
Annual mean salary (in U.S. dollars)
Alabama: $66,910
Alaska: $103,310
Arizona: $86,740
Arkansas: $66,530
California: $133,340
Colorado: $86,590
Connecticut: $94,260
Delaware: $85,020
District of Columbia: $98,230
Florida: $79,910
Georgia: $85,180
Guam: N/A
Hawaii: $113,220
Idaho: $78,610
Illinois: $82,220
Indiana: $75,580
Iowa: $69,370
Kansas: $71,990
Kentucky: $77,620
Louisiana: $75,920
Maine: $77,410
Maryland: $87,990
Massachusetts: $104,150
Michigan: $80,660
Minnesota: $88,860
Mississippi: $67,930
Missouri: $71,860
Montana: $78,350
Nebraska: $73,510
Nevada: $96,310
New Hampshire: $83,420
New Jersey: $96,670
New Mexico: $85,580
New York: $100,130
North Carolina: $77,420
North Dakota: $75,000
Ohio: $78,450
Oklahoma: $76,920
Oregon: $106,610
Pennsylvania: $80,630
Puerto Rico: $37,360
Rhode Island: $88,250
South Carolina: $74,330
South Dakota: $64,500
Tennessee: $72,480
Texas: $84,320
Utah: $76,400
Vermont: $79,990
Virgin Islands: $69,200
Virginia: $81,860
Washington: $101,670
West Virginia: $72,230
Wisconsin: $81,000
Wyoming: $81,010
Advanced Practice Nurse Salary
Becoming an advanced practice nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), requires furthering your education, specializing in a specific area and obtaining additional certifications and credentials. This might involve earning a master of nursing degree online.
According to the BLS, there are three types of advanced practice nurses:
Certified nurse practitioner: Cares for patients of all ages, diagnoses and treats illnesses and promotes better health outcomes. They may specialize in acute care, psychiatric mental health, women’s health, or family health.
Certified nurse-midwife: Cares for pregnant women and their families. They assist with prenatal care, labor and delivery, helping new mothers adjust to life with a newborn.
Certified nurse anesthetist: Administers anesthesia before and after surgery, monitors patients’ vital signs and provides pain management.
Nurse Practitioner Salaries by State
Interested in annual APRN compensation? Check out the below chart for certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and certified nurse anesthetists in the U.S. based on 2022 BLS data.
State | Certified Nurse Practitioner | Certified Nurse-Midwife | Certified Nurse Anesthetist |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $106,610 | N/A | $191,200 |
Alaska | $116,390 | $115,060 | N/A |
Arizona | $121,410 | $108,190 | $179,730 |
Arkansas | $107,110 | N/A | N/A |
California | $158,130 | $169,530 | $246,510 |
Colorado | $116,440 | $113,950 | $185,860 |
Connecticut | $131,490 | $112,960 | $240,580 |
Delaware | $120,570 | $109,180 | $198,070 |
District of Columbia | $131,270 | $96,320 | N/A |
Florida | $110,310 | $97,690 | $174,390 |
Georgia | $115,440 | $122,990 | $190,800 |
Guam | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Hawaii | $128,310 | $156,020 | N/A |
Idaho | $117,720 | $59,080 | $181,110 |
Illinois | $122,310 | $123,200 | $238,440 |
Indiana | $121,730 | $113,900 | $220,020 |
Iowa | $128,180 | $102,460 | $211,010 |
Kansas | $111,670 | N/A | $169,410 |
Kentucky | $109,290 | N/A | $235,260 |
Louisiana | $118,210 | $119,520 | $179,140 |
Maine | $118,300 | $134,440 | $214,930 |
Maryland | $119,650 | $120,170 | $182,710 |
Massachusetts | $138,700 | $143,870 | $204,690 |
Michigan | $113,780 | $118,420 | $199,690 |
Minnesota | $128,160 | $116,780 | $222,540 |
Mississippi | $117,260 | N/A | $184,390 |
Missouri | $113,180 | $107,660 | $205,190 |
Montana | $119,960 | N/A | $203,430 |
Nebraska | $118,970 | N/A | $225,590 |
Nevada | $136,230 | N/A | N/A |
New Hampshire | $125,780 | $115,490 | $215,970 |
New Jersey | $143,250 | $119,760 | $232,630 |
New Mexico | $129,560 | $112,600 | $215,240 |
New York | N/A | $129,610 | $238,710 |
North Carolina | $114,450 | $113,890 | $214,740 |
North Dakota | $113,940 | N/A | N/A |
Ohio | $117,440 | $124,560 | $197,630 |
Oklahoma | $121,740 | N/A | $168,470 |
Oregon | $136,250 | $136,150 | $205,920 |
Pennsylvania | $120,550 | $113,580 | $203,620 |
Puerto Rico | N/A | N/A | $63,570 |
Rhode Island | $125,250 | $120,120 | N/A |
South Carolina | $109,130 | $88,680 | $195,840 |
South Dakota | $115,610 | N/A | $223,200 |
Tennessee | $99,330 | $97,920 | $174,170 |
Texas | $124,660 | $93,280 | $208,940 |
Utah | $115,610 | N/A | N/A |
Vermont | $116,610 | N/A | $228,710 |
Virginia | $116,980 | $106,790 | $215,530 |
Washington | $135,590 | $135,780 | $222,610 |
West Virginia | $106,790 | $165,780 | $229,430 |
Wisconsin | $121,210 | $118,430 | $230,270 |
Wyoming | $115,230 | N/A | $205,270 |
Disclosure: “Not available” (N/A) indicates that the BLS has not provided data. All data was accessed in 2023.
Georgetown University • Washington, DC
Master of Science in Nursing
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 23 months
Credits
40-49
Concentrations
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Dual Nurse- Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Admission Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or CNL/entry- level MSN from a CCNE- or ACEN- accredited program
- Hold a current U.S. registered nurse (RN) license
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA
- Have successfully completed a college level three- credit course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- AG-ACNP Applicants Please Note: AG- ACNP requires at least one year of full- time experience in an intensive care unit, emergency department, telemetry unit, or progressive care unit.
- Professional resume or curriculum vitae
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
47-48
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with a preferred GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Current unencumbered and unrestricted U.S Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Current résumé
- Personal statement
- Transcript(s) of academic record
- Three letters of recommendation
- Successfully completed (with a grade of 83 or better) a three-credit course in statistics and a three-credit course in health assessment
Information last updated: October 2023