With nursing shortages not going away anytime soon, it's important to look at how nursing compensation has evolved.
As the workforce becomes older and more nurses are retiring, about 203,000 new nurses will be needed every year through 2031 to fill the gap, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Since the start of the pandemic, nursing compensation has increased, with the mean annual wage for registered nurses at $82,750 as of May 2021.
The following statistics provide a view of nursing compensation.
Note: Several data sources were used to compile this report.
RN mean annual wage for all 50 states
Below are the mean annual wages for registered nurses in states, comparing May 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to the latest May 2021 data, the most recent available. The states are listed in alphabetical order.
Annual Wage May 2020: $60,230
Annual Wage May 2021: $61,920
Annual Wage May 2020: $95,270
Annual Wage May 2021: $97,230
Annual Wage May 2020: $80,380
Annual Wage May 2021: $81,600
Annual Wage May 2020: $63,640
Annual Wage May 2021: $65,810
Annual Wage May 2020: $120,560
Annual Wage May 2021: $124,000
Annual Wage May 2020: $77,860
Annual Wage May 2021: $80,670
Annual Wage May 2020: $84,850
Annual Wage May 2021: $88,530
Annual Wage May 2020: $74,330
Annual Wage May 2021: $77,760
Annual Wage May 2020: $69,510
Annual Wage May 2021: $72,000
Annual Wage May 2020: $71,510
Annual Wage May 2021: $75,380
Annual Wage May 2020: $104,830
Annual Wage May 2021: $106,530
Annual Wage May 2020: $71,640
Annual Wage May 2021: $73,640
Annual Wage May 2020: $74,560
Annual Wage May 2021: $78,260
Annual Wage May 2020: $67,490
Annual Wage May 2021: $68,890
Annual Wage May 2020: $62,570
Annual Wage May 2021: $64,990
Annual Wage May 2020: $64,200
Annual Wage May 2021: $66,560
Annual Wage May 2020: $64,730
Annual Wage May 2021: $67,260
Annual Wage May 2020: $68,010
Annual Wage May 2021: $70,380
Annual Wage May 2020: $71,040
Annual Wage May 2021: $73,630
Annual Wage May 2020: $81,590
Annual Wage May 2021: $82,660
Annual Wage May 2020: $96,250
Annual Wage May 2021: $96,630
Annual Wage May 2020: $73,980
Annual Wage May 2021: $75,930
Annual Wage May 2020: $80,960
Annual Wage May 2021: $84,030
Annual Wage May 2020: $61,250
Annual Wage May 2021: $63,130
Annual Wage May 2020: $65,900
Annual Wage May 2021: $67,790
Annual Wage May 2020: $70,530
Annual Wage May 2021: $73,610
Annual Wage May 2020: $69,480
Annual Wage May 2021: $69,850
Annual Wage May 2020: $89,750
Annual Wage May 2021: $88,800
Annual Wage May 2020: $75,970
Annual Wage May 2021: $78,270
Annual Wage May 2020: $85,720
Annual Wage May 2021: $89,690
Annual Wage May 2020: $75,700
Annual Wage May 2021: $77,590
Annual Wage May 2020: $89,760
Annual Wage May 2021: $93,320
Annual Wage May 2020: $68,950
Annual Wage May 2021: $71,200
Annual Wage May 2020: $69,630
Annual Wage May 2021: $71,200
Annual Wage May 2020: $69,750
Annual Wage May 2021: $71,640
Annual Wage May 2020: $66,600
Annual Wage May 2021: $68,180
Annual Wage May 2020: $96,230
Annual Wage May 2021: $98,630
Annual Wage May 2020: $74,170
Annual Wage May 2021: $76,000
Annual Wage May 2020: $82,790
Annual Wage May 2021: $85,270
Annual Wage May 2020: $67,140
Annual Wage May 2021: $69,580
Annual Wage May 2020: $60,960
Annual Wage May 2021: $60,540
Annual Wage May 2020: $64,120
Annual Wage May 2021: $66,680
Annual Wage May 2020: $76,800
Annual Wage May 2021: $79,120
Annual Wage May 2020: $70,370
Annual Wage May 2021: $72,790
Annual Wage May 2020: $72,140
Annual Wage May 2021: $75,160
Annual Wage May 2020: $74,380
Annual Wage May 2021: $76,680
Annual Wage May 2020: $91,310
Annual Wage May 2021: $95,350
Annual Wage May 2020: $65,130
Annual Wage May 2021: $67,640
Annual Wage May 2020: $74,760
Annual Wage May 2021: $76,850
Annual Wage May 2020: $72,600
Annual Wage May 2021: $73,130
Nurse practitioner mean annual wage in 50 states
Below are the mean annual wages for nurse practitioners in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to May 2021 data, the most recent available. The states are listed in alphabetical order.
Alabama: $102,410
Alaska: $113,820
Arizona: $119,910
Arkansas: $107,080
California: $151,830
Colorado: $112,580
Connecticut: $120,450
Delaware: $116,230
District of Columbia: $125,290
Florida: $104,830
Georgia: $109,560
Hawaii: $127,490
Idaho: $105,290
Illinois: $120,470
Indiana: $113,490
Iowa: $121,370
Kansas: $108,710
Kentucky: $106,080
Louisiana: $112,650
Maine: $116,370
Maryland: $115,700
Massachusetts: $129,540
Michigan: $108,770
Minnesota: $127,010
Mississippi: $111,750
Missouri: $103,490
Montana: $115,710
Nebraska: $112,670
Nevada: $123,680
New Hampshire: $120,730
New Jersey: $137,010
New Mexico: $118,480
New York: $133,940
North Carolina: $112,730
North Dakota: $112,720
Ohio: $112,490
Oklahoma: $116,650
Oregon: $128,190
Pennsylvania: $117,260
Rhode Island: $126,760
South Carolina: $102,850
South Dakota: $112,320
Tennessee: $95,120
Texas: $117,890
Utah: $112,920
Vermont: $112,540
Virginia: $112,320
Washington: $130,840
West Virginia: $104,750
Wisconsin: $116,990
Wyoming: $114,530
CRNA mean annual wage by state
Below are the average annual wages for certified registered nurse anesthetists in states, comparing May 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to the May 2021 data, the most recent available. The states are listed in alphabetical order. Data was not available for some states.
Annual wage May 2020: $170,560
Annual wage May 2021: $188,840
Annual wage May 2020: N/A
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $173,460
Annual wage May 2021: $142,250
Annual wage May 2020: $167,030
Annual wage May 2021: $151,940
Annual wage May 2020: $205,360
Annual wage May 2021: $232,540
Annual wage May 2020: $175,760
Annual wage May 2021: $173,820
Annual wage May 2020: $217,360
Annual wage May 2021: $276,540
Annual wage May 2020: N/A
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $176,760
Annual wage May 2021: $170,950
Annual wage May 2020: $179,630
Annual wage May 2021: $177,960
Annual wage May 2020: $201,930
Annual wage May 2021: $218,750
Annual wage May 2020: $156,250
Annual wage May 2021: $171,790
Annual wage May 2020: $194,950
Annual wage May 2021: $250,280
Annual wage May 2020: $169,620
Annual wage May 2021: $190,200
Annual wage May 2020: $198,480
Annual wage May 2021: $207,240
Annual wage May 2020: $167,700
Annual wage May 2021: $159,560
Annual wage May 2020: $163,700
Annual wage May 2021: $180,330
Annual wage May 2020: $161,310
Annual wage May 2021: $166,810
Annual wage May 2020: $198,940
Annual wage May 2021: $209,050
Annual wage May 2020: $182,780
Annual wage May 2021: $180,560
Annual wage May 2020: $195,900
Annual wage May 2021: $219,680
Annual wage May 2020: $199,870
Annual wage May 2021: $218,240
Annual wage May 2020: $216,050
Annual wage May 2021: $214,460
Annual wage May 2020: $174,540
Annual wage May 2021: $182,940
Annual wage May 2020: $189,610
Annual wage May 2021: $192,320
Annual wage May 2020: $216,420
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $176,880
Annual wage May 2021: $232,230
Annual wage May 2020: $223,680
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $197,570
Annual wage May 2021: $227,130
Annual wage May 2020: $207,500
Annual wage May 2021: $263,850
Annual wage May 2020: $164,980
Annual wage May 2021: $164,900
Annual wage May 2020: $217,050
Annual wage May 2021: $225,180
Annual wage May 2020: $192,830
Annual wage May 2021: $206,450
Annual wage May 2020: $192,050
Annual wage May 2021: $208,170
Annual wage May 2020: $190,120
Annual wage May 2021: $187,410
Annual wage May 2020: $179,410
Annual wage May 2021: $181,660
Annual wage May 2020: $236,540
Annual wage May 2021: $225,560
Annual wage May 2020: $185,090
Annual wage May 2021: $203,150
Annual wage May 2020: N/A
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $185,850
Annual wage May 2021: $213,830
Annual wage May 2020: $190,660
Annual wage May 2021: $197,710
Annual wage May 2020: $171,020
Annual wage May 2021: $176,020
Annual wage May 2020: $180,380
Annual wage May 2021: $197,540
Annual wage May 2020: $127,130
Annual wage May 2021: N/A
Annual wage May 2020: $189,780
Annual wage May 2021: $196,240
Annual wage May 2020: $179,180
Annual wage May 2021: $203,600
Annual wage May 2020: $197,740
Annual wage May 2021: $244,730
Annual wage May 2020: $187,430
Annual wage May 2021: $247,650
Annual wage May 2020: $231,520
Annual wage May 2021: $235,550
Annual wage May 2020: $231,250
Annual wage May 2021: $223,680
10 states with the largest increases, decreases to travel nurse pay
Here are the 10 states with the largest average increases to travel nurse pay in August, according to a report from Vivian Health, a national healthcare hiring marketplace:
1. Delaware
Weekly pay 2022: $3,323
Weekly pay 2021: $2,719
YOY change: 22.21 percent
2. Hawaii
Weekly pay 2022: $3,121
Weekly pay 2021: $2,596
YOY change: 20.22 percent
3. Alaska
Weekly pay 2022: $3,426
Weekly pay 2021: $3,042
YOY change: 12.62 percent
4. Nebraska
Weekly pay 2022: $2,962
Weekly pay 2021: $2,666
YOY change: 11.10 percent
5. Wyoming
Weekly pay 2022: $3,218
Weekly pay 2021: $2,914
YOY change: 10.43 percent
6. Ohio
Weekly pay 2022: $2,997
Weekly pay 2021: $2,747
YOY change: 9.10 percent
7. West Virginia
Weekly pay 2022: $3,056
Weekly pay 2021: $2,806
YOY change: 8.91 percent
8. New Jersey
Weekly pay 2022: $3,537
Weekly pay 2021: $3,258
YOY change: 8.56 percent
9. Connecticut
Weekly pay 2022: $3,021
Weekly pay 2021: $2,784
YOY change: 8.51 percent
10. Nevada
Weekly pay 2022: $3,221
Weekly pay 2021: $2,988
YOY change: 7.80 percent
Here are the 10 states with the largest average decreases to travel nurse pay in August, according to the report:
Note: The list includes a tie.
1. Florida
Weekly pay 2022: $2,498
Weekly pay 2021: $3,520
YOY change: 29.03 percent
2. Arizona
Weekly pay 2022: $3,028
Weekly pay 2021: $4,178
YOY change: 27.53 percent
3. Georgia
Weekly pay 2022: $2,747
Weekly pay 2021: $3,478
YOY change: 21.02 percent
4. Oklahoma
Weekly pay 2022: $2,622
Weekly pay 2021: $3,245
YOY change: 19.20 percent
5. Missouri
Weekly pay 2022: $2,794
Weekly pay 2021: $3,337
YOY change: 16.27 percent
6. New Mexico
Weekly pay 2022: $3,044
Weekly pay 2021: $3,589
YOY change: 15.19 percent
7. Arkansas
Weekly pay 2022: $2,711
Weekly pay 2021: $3,183
YOY change: 14.83 percent
8. Rhode Island
Weekly pay 2022: $3,063
Weekly pay 2021: $3,564
YOY change: 14.06 percent
9. Tennessee
Weekly pay 2022: $2,637
Weekly pay 2021: $3,048
YOY change: 13.48 percent
9. Texas
Weekly pay 2022: $2,637
Weekly pay 2021: $3,048
YOY change: 13.48 percent
5 highest paying places for RNs, LPNs
From 2019 to 2021, median total compensation differences for nursing positions varied, but there have been notable increases, according to a report released June 23 from the Medical Group Management Association.
The 2022 edition of the "MGMA DataDive Management and Staff Compensation" report is based on data from more than 142,000 management and staff positions at 3,406 organizations. The data is reflective of physician-owned, hospital/integrated delivery system-owned and academic practices. The data is weighted slightly more heavily toward hospital/integrated delivery system practices.
Here are the five highest-paying places for licensed practical nurses, according to the report:
1. New Jersey
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Colorado
4. California
5. Oregon
Here are the five highest-paying states for registered nurses, according to the report:
1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. New York
4. Oregon
5. District of Columbia
To learn more about the report, click here.
10 states with the largest increases to travel nurse pay
The average weekly travel nurse pay in July in the U.S. was $2,997, up 12 percent from $2,681 during the same time in 2021, according to a report from Vivian Health, a national healthcare hiring marketplace.
The report, which was shared with Becker's, is based on proprietary data of job postings on Vivian Health in July.
Here are the 10 states with the largest average increases to travel nurse pay in July, according to the report:
1. Alaska
Weekly pay 2022: $3,334
Weekly pay 2021: $2,356
YOY change: 41.51 percent
2. Minnesota
Weekly pay 2022: $3,458
Weekly pay 2021: $2,624
YOY change: 31.78 percent
3. Hawaii
Weekly pay 2022: $3,012
Weekly pay 2021: $2,313
YOY change: 30.22 percent
4. South Dakota
Weekly pay 2022: $3,241
Weekly pay 2021: $2,504
YOY change: 29.43 percent
5. California
Weekly pay 2022: $3,759
Weekly pay 2021: $3,007
YOY change: 25.01 percent
6. Nevada
Weekly pay 2022: $3,088
Weekly pay 2021: $2,478
YOY change: 24.62 percent
7. Oregon
Weekly pay 2022: $3,439
Weekly pay 2021: $2,779
YOY change: 23.75 percent
8. Wyoming
Weekly pay 2022: $3,393
Weekly pay 2021: $2,752
YOY change: 23.29 percent
9. West Virginia
Weekly pay 2022: $3,060
Weekly pay 2021: $2,513
YOY change: 21.77 percent
10. Ohio
Weekly pay 2022: $3,015
Weekly pay 2021: $2,480
YOY change: 21.57 percent
Here are the five states with average decreases to travel nurse pay in July, according to the report:
1. Florida
Weekly pay 2022: $2,441
Weekly pay 2021: $2,723
YOY change: 10.36 percent
2. Missouri
Weekly pay 2022: $2,664
Weekly pay 2021: $2,745
YOY change: 2.95 percent
3. Alabama
Weekly pay 2022: $2,390
Weekly pay 2021: $2,431
YOY change: 1.69 percent
4. South Carolina
Weekly pay 2022: $2,677
Weekly pay 2021: $2,707
YOY change: 1.11 percent
5. Texas
Weekly pay 2022: $2,663
Weekly pay 2021: $2,672
YOY change: 0.34 percent