Registered Nurse Pay: Median, Entry-Level & Senior Salaries
National median: $86,070/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $68,936/year take-home — 19.9% effective rate.
Registered Nurse Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $58,000 | $48,642 | $4,053 | 16.1% |
| 25th Percentile | $71,000 | $58,335 | $4,861 | 17.8% |
| MedianBLS Median | $86,070 | $68,936 | $5,745 | 19.9% |
| 75th Percentile | $104,000 | $81,550 | $6,796 | 21.6% |
| 90th Percentile | $130,000 | $99,608 | $8,301 | 23.4% |
| Senior Level | $115,000 | $89,289 | $7,441 | 22.4% |
Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,651 | $75,393 | $6,283 | 28.6% |
| Hawaii | $114,688 | $80,354 | $6,696 | 29.9% |
| Oregon | $97,689 | $68,847 | $5,737 | 29.5% |
| Alaska | $100,056 | $78,775 | $6,565 | 21.3% |
| Massachusetts | $102,854 | $75,601 | $6,300 | 26.5% |
About This Career
Registered nurses provide patient care across hospitals, clinics, and home health settings, with California setting the national salary high — RNs there average over $130,000 versus the $86,000 national median. Critical care, ICU, and travel nursing assignments command the largest premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in the US?+
The national median Registered Nurse salary is $86,070 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,000 and $104,000, while the top 10% earn over $130,000.
How much does a Registered Nurse take home after taxes?+
A Registered Nurse earning the median $86,070 takes home approximately $68,936 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Registered Nurses earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Registered Nurses are California, Hawaii, Oregon. Top cities include San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, where salaries can exceed $104,000 for experienced professionals.