Registered Nurse Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Registered nurses are the largest healthcare profession in the US, providing direct patient care, administering medications, coordinating with physicians, and educating patients on health management.
US Average
$101,420
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$102,298
California
Take-Home TX
$75,930
on $95,380 · No state tax
Job Growth
6%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141)
Key Facts — Registered Nurse 2026
Over 3.1 million active RNs — largest US healthcare profession
National median: ~$86,070/year (BLS May 2023 OES)
CRNA specialty averages $223,000 — highest nursing specialty
California mandates nurse-to-patient ratios, driving higher wages
Rural states face critical shortages — loan forgiveness programs available
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Registered Nurses across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$68,940
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$57,329
25th percentile
$80,330
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$65,342
Median
$97,550
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$77,456
75th percentile
$112,350
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$87,868
Top 10%
$137,470
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$105,227
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| CRNA (Anesthesia) | $234,110 | +172% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,269 | +56% |
| ICU / Critical Care | $103,284 | +20% |
| Travel Nurse | $111,891 | +30% |
| ER / Emergency | $98,980 | +15% |
| Med/Surg (General) | $86,070 | 0% |
Best States for Registered Nurses — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Registered Nurse Salary by State — All 50 States
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $150,280 | $102,298 | |
| $121,540 | $94,333 | |
| $114,870 | $89,641 | |
| $124,340 | $88,216 | |
| $117,960 | $86,137 | |
| $123,140 | $85,996 | |
| $105,710 | $83,197 | |
| $113,440 | $82,473 | |
| $110,100 | $81,000 | |
| $97,900 | $77,703 | |
| $105,250 | $77,533 | |
12Arizona | $99,730 | $76,899 |
| $103,420 | $76,077 | |
| $95,380 | $75,930 | |
| $101,260 | $75,758 | |
16Colorado | $99,370 | $75,073 |
17Delaware | $99,460 | $73,577 |
18Vermont | $96,650 | $72,968 |
| $90,650 | $72,602 | |
| $95,290 | $72,528 | |
| $94,020 | $72,087 | |
22Maryland | $99,010 | $72,064 |
23Georgia | $95,080 | $71,723 |
24Michigan | $94,300 | $71,413 |
| $94,690 | $71,332 | |
| $88,600 | $71,160 | |
27Illinois | $94,360 | $70,686 |
28Virginia | $93,850 | $70,271 |
29Idaho | $92,710 | $70,246 |
30Montana | $91,510 | $69,398 |
| $90,470 | $69,375 | |
32Indiana | $89,150 | $68,947 |
| $85,390 | $68,902 | |
34Maine | $91,700 | $68,806 |
35Utah | $90,950 | $68,786 |
36Ohio | $87,730 | $68,571 |
37Nebraska | $88,330 | $67,831 |
| $83,600 | $67,293 | |
| $87,670 | $67,008 | |
| $86,970 | $66,919 | |
41Kentucky | $86,140 | $66,532 |
42Missouri | $85,900 | $66,232 |
| $84,190 | $65,907 | |
44Oklahoma | $85,060 | $65,388 |
45Arkansas | $81,520 | $63,651 |
| $77,140 | $63,098 | |
47Iowa | $80,540 | $63,081 |
48Kansas | $82,360 | $62,974 |
| $78,950 | $61,945 | |
50Alabama | $77,020 | $59,808 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Registered Nurse
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Registered Nurse Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$59,808
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$89,641
net
Arizona
$76,899
net
Arkansas
$63,651
net
California
$102,298
net
Colorado
$75,073
net
Connecticut
$77,533
net
Delaware
$73,577
net
FloridaNo state tax
$72,602
net
Georgia
$71,723
net
Hawaii
$88,216
net
Idaho
$70,246
net
Illinois
$70,686
net
Indiana
$68,947
net
Iowa
$63,081
net
Kansas
$62,974
net
Kentucky
$66,532
net
Louisiana
$65,907
net
Maine
$68,806
net
Maryland
$72,064
net
Massachusetts
$86,137
net
Michigan
$71,413
net
Minnesota
$76,077
net
Mississippi
$61,945
net
Missouri
$66,232
net
Montana
$69,398
net
Nebraska
$67,831
net
NevadaNo state tax
$83,197
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$77,703
net
New Jersey
$81,000
net
New Mexico
$72,528
net
New York
$82,473
net
North Carolina
$69,375
net
North Dakota
$67,293
net
Ohio
$68,571
net
Oklahoma
$65,388
net
Oregon
$85,996
net
Pennsylvania
$72,087
net
Rhode Island
$75,758
net
South Carolina
$67,008
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$63,098
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$68,902
net
TexasNo state tax
$75,930
net
Utah
$68,786
net
Vermont
$72,968
net
Virginia
$70,271
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$94,333
net
West Virginia
$66,919
net
Wisconsin
$71,332
net
WyomingNo state tax
$71,160
net