Registered nurses in the US earn a median of $97,550 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $80,330 and $112,350, and the top 10% earn more than $137,470 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $98,000 to $112,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do registered nurses make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,940 |
| 25th | $80,330 |
| Median | $97,550 |
| 75th | $112,350 |
| 90th | $137,470 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Registered Nurses, national, about 3,379,720 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where registered nurses earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| California | $140,270 | $173,170 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | $144,140 |
| Oregon | $129,010 | $134,420 |
| Washington | $124,200 | $134,240 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | $129,100 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a registered nurse?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $80,000–$98,000 | $103,000 |
| 3–5 years | $98,000–$112,000 | $118,000 |
| 6–10 years | $103,000–$121,000 | $127,000 |
| 10+ years | $112,000–$137,000 | $144,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives registered nurse pay?
Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients across hospitals, clinics, home health and schools. Pay depends on specialty, shift, certifications and the employer's scale — and in many hospitals a clinical ladder or union contract decides your step, so the negotiation is often about where you're placed on it.
- Specialty unit: ICU, ER, OR, labor and delivery or med-surg.
- Shift differentials for nights, evenings and weekends.
- Certifications such as CCRN, CEN or PCCN, and degree (ADN vs BSN).
- Union contracts and clinical ladders that set your step.
Your leverage as a registered nurse
- Years of experience in the exact specialty — make sure every year is counted.
- Certifications the unit values.
- Willingness to work nights, weekends or float.
- Charge nurse or preceptor experience.
- Hard-to-fill specialties or shifts the hospital is recruiting for.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Registered nurse objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Your step is based on our experience policy.” | “Could you confirm all [number] years of my [specialty] experience are counted? I'd like to start at step [number].” |
| “We don't negotiate base for staff nurses.” | “Understood. Is there flexibility on the sign-on bonus, relocation or the shift I start on?” |
| “Travel nurses are paid differently.” | “I'm comparing with staff rates for this specialty in our area, not travel pay.” |
| “You'll move up the ladder after a year.” | “Can we put the ladder criteria and timing in writing now?” |
Sample counter offer for a registered nurse
Thank you — I'm excited to join the unit. With [number] years in [specialty] and my [certification], I'd like my experience credited at step [number], which comes to [rate or salary], plus the night differential. The national median for registered nurses is $97,550.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a registered nurse
Ask what the clinical ladder requires and plan for it: certifications, committee work, precepting. Outside the ladder, a specialty change or charge role is the usual path to more pay.