Careers › Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse: Salary, Requirements & How to Become One
A data-driven guide to the Registered Nurse career path — what the role involves, how to get hired, and how much demand there is right now.
$97,550
median annual salary
$46.90
median hourly pay
3,379,720
employed nationally
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How much does a Registered Nurse make?
The median Registered Nurse salary is $97,550 per year (about $46.90/hour). Pay scales with experience, location, and employer — here is the full national distribution:
| Percentile | Annual salary | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry) | $68,940 | Bottom 10% — new entrants, lower-cost areas |
| Median (50th) | $97,550 | Typical Registered Nurse pay |
| 90th (top) | $137,470 | Top 10% — senior, high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation "Registered Nurses" (SOC 29-1141). Official U.S. government wage data.
How to become a Registered Nurse
- Build the core skills — through schooling, certification, or self-study relevant to Registered Nurse work.
- Gain hands-on experience via entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships.
- Prepare a targeted resume highlighting measurable results.
- Apply through major job boards and company career pages; filter for "Registered Nurse jobs near me".
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Registered Nurse careers — frequently asked questions
- How much does a Registered Nurse make?
- The median Registered Nurse salary is $97,550 per year (about $46.90/hour), per BLS OEWS, May 2025. The middle range runs from $68,940 (10th percentile) to $137,470 (90th percentile), varying by experience, location, and employer.
- How do I become a Registered Nurse?
- Most paths combine relevant education or certification with hands-on experience. Entry-level openings and apprenticeships are a common way in.
- Is Registered Nurse a good career in 2026?
- Registered Nurses employ roughly 3,379,720 people nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and search demand runs near 50,000 queries per month — both signal steady hiring.