Nursing Salaries
What nurses earn, role by role
National median wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the degree each role requires, and the ranked programs that get you there. A staff RN earns a median of $97,550; the fastest way to raise that number is a graduate degree.
| Role | Median salary | Typical degree | Job growth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $236,590+$139,040 vs RN | Doctorate (DNP/DNAP) | +9% | Salary guide → |
 Nurse Midwife | $134,040+$36,490 vs RN | Master's (MSN) | +7% | Salary guide → |
 Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $132,300+$34,750 vs RN | Master's or Doctorate | +45% | Salary guide → |
 Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP) | $132,300+$34,750 vs RN | Master's or Doctorate | +45% | Salary guide → |
 Nurse Administrator | $123,860+$26,310 vs RN | Master's (MSN) | +28% | Salary guide → |
 Registered Nurse (RN) | $97,550 | ADN or BSN | +6% | Salary guide → |
 Nurse Educator | $80,250 | Master's or Doctorate | +18% | Salary guide → |
 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) | $64,400 | Practical nursing certificate | +5% | Salary guide → |
 Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $42,260 | 4-12 week certificate | +2% | Salary guide → |
Median annual wages, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Job growth is the BLS employment projection for each occupation (CNA: 2024–2034). Actual pay varies by state, setting, shift, and experience.
RN specialty and role deep-dives: Travel nurse pay · ICU nurse pay · Nurse informaticist pay
RN salary in your stateWhere you work changes RN pay by $63,190 a year: California's median is $140,270, Alabama's is $77,080. See all 50 states + D.C., each with its own full breakdown.