Nurse pay varies hugely by state. But a big paycheck in an expensive state can buy less than a smaller one somewhere cheap. So which are really the best states for nurses salary in 2026?
We ranked all 50 states plus DC two ways: by raw registered nurse pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and by RN salary adjusted for cost of living, after 2026 taxes and BEA price levels. Every number below comes from official data.
For pay in a specific city, use the free profession salary guide.
How we ranked the best states for nurses
- Pay: the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 annual mean wage for registered nurses (code 29-1141). That’s the latest release.
- Taxes: 2026 federal income tax, FICA and each state’s 2026 income tax, for a single filer taking the standard deduction. Same engine as our $80,000 after tax by state guide. Local income taxes are not included.
- Prices: we divide take-home pay by the state’s BEA 2024 Regional Price Parity. The result is “real take-home”: what the pay buys at national-average prices.
New to take-home math? See gross salary vs take-home pay. The national RN mean was $101,420 in May 2025.
Registered nurse salary by state 2026 (all 50 + DC)
Sorted by real (price-adjusted) take-home. The raw rank shows where each state places on pay alone.
| Rank (adjusted) | State | RN mean wage | Raw rank | State tax | Take-home | RPP 2024 | Real take-home | RNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $150,280 | 1 | $9,587 | $104,395 | 110.7 | $94,288 | 338,940 |
| 2 | Washington | $121,540 | 4 | $0 | $94,333 | 107.0 | $88,151 | 69,260 |
| 3 | Alaska | $114,870 | 6 | $0 | $89,641 | 102.4 | $87,575 | 7,510 |
| 4 | Oregon | $123,140 | 3 | $9,180 | $86,253 | 103.4 | $83,448 | 39,730 |
| 5 | Nevada | $105,710 | 10 | $0 | $83,197 | 100.0 | $83,214 | 27,070 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $117,960 | 5 | $5,678 | $86,137 | 105.8 | $81,448 | 88,200 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $124,340 | 2 | $7,920 | $88,333 | 110.0 | $80,338 | 12,940 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $95,290 | 21 | $3,338 | $72,528 | 92.2 | $78,654 | 17,980 |
| 9 | Texas | $95,380 | 20 | $0 | $75,930 | 97.1 | $78,232 | 271,380 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $103,420 | 12 | $5,509 | $76,077 | 98.6 | $77,141 | 70,110 |
| 11 | New York | $113,440 | 7 | $5,653 | $82,982 | 107.9 | $76,892 | 205,810 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $88,600 | 35 | $0 | $71,160 | 92.7 | $76,771 | 5,330 |
| 13 | Arizona | $99,730 | 14 | $2,284 | $76,706 | 100.7 | $76,190 | 73,150 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $94,690 | 23 | $4,112 | $71,332 | 94.1 | $75,809 | 68,060 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $83,600 | 45 | $371 | $67,272 | 89.0 | $75,621 | 11,340 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $88,330 | 36 | $3,139 | $67,831 | 90.1 | $75,281 | 24,720 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $105,250 | 11 | $5,000 | $77,873 | 103.6 | $75,160 | 40,110 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $101,260 | 13 | $3,208 | $76,858 | 102.3 | $75,145 | 10,090 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $85,390 | 42 | $0 | $68,902 | 91.9 | $74,999 | 72,200 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $110,100 | 8 | $4,825 | $81,460 | 108.8 | $74,868 | 92,680 |
| 21 | Louisiana | $84,190 | 44 | $2,139 | $65,918 | 88.2 | $74,731 | 48,970 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $97,900 | 18 | $0 | $77,703 | 104.2 | $74,596 | 15,390 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $86,970 | 39 | $3,257 | $66,756 | 89.5 | $74,591 | 23,430 |
| 24 | Georgia | $95,080 | 22 | $3,996 | $71,723 | 96.3 | $74,484 | 100,950 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $85,060 | 43 | $3,282 | $65,388 | 87.8 | $74,437 | 38,270 |
| 26 | Vermont | $96,650 | 19 | $3,919 | $72,905 | 98.0 | $74,424 | 7,410 |
| 27 | Ohio | $87,730 | 37 | $1,637 | $68,911 | 92.8 | $74,278 | 143,730 |
| 28 | Michigan | $94,300 | 25 | $3,757 | $71,413 | 96.2 | $74,221 | 104,950 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $94,020 | 26 | $2,886 | $72,087 | 97.6 | $73,880 | 146,520 |
| 30 | Indiana | $89,150 | 34 | $2,600 | $68,947 | 93.3 | $73,875 | 68,980 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $86,140 | 40 | $2,897 | $66,532 | 90.2 | $73,794 | 50,300 |
| 32 | Delaware | $99,460 | 15 | $5,223 | $73,577 | 99.8 | $73,718 | 14,290 |
| 33 | Idaho | $92,710 | 28 | $3,805 | $70,246 | 95.5 | $73,561 | 16,880 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $90,470 | 33 | $3,101 | $69,375 | 94.3 | $73,548 | 111,120 |
| 35 | Montana | $91,510 | 30 | $3,809 | $69,398 | 94.6 | $73,324 | 10,950 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $81,520 | 47 | $2,644 | $63,535 | 86.9 | $73,082 | 29,400 |
| 37 | Missouri | $85,900 | 41 | $3,029 | $66,232 | 90.8 | $72,929 | 76,310 |
| 38 | Colorado | $99,370 | 16 | $3,664 | $75,073 | 103.1 | $72,850 | 54,490 |
| 39 | Iowa | $80,540 | 48 | $2,409 | $63,081 | 87.8 | $71,878 | 34,420 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $78,950 | 49 | $2,426 | $61,945 | 87.0 | $71,240 | 29,060 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $77,140 | 50 | $0 | $63,098 | 88.6 | $71,228 | 14,710 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $106,980 | 9 | $6,125 | $77,966 | 109.9 | $70,942 | 11,440 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $87,670 | 38 | $4,103 | $66,403 | 93.7 | $70,830 | 49,750 |
| 44 | Illinois | $94,360 | 24 | $4,526 | $70,686 | 100.0 | $70,716 | 138,910 |
| 45 | Maryland | $99,010 | 17 | $4,339 | $74,144 | 105.0 | $70,641 | 52,910 |
| 46 | Maine | $91,700 | 29 | $5,061 | $68,280 | 97.0 | $70,356 | 16,540 |
| 47 | Florida | $90,650 | 32 | $0 | $72,602 | 103.4 | $70,205 | 229,940 |
| 48 | Kansas | $82,360 | 46 | $3,796 | $62,974 | 90.1 | $69,919 | 33,800 |
| 49 | Utah | $90,950 | 31 | $4,072 | $68,741 | 98.9 | $69,531 | 27,420 |
| 50 | Virginia | $93,850 | 27 | $4,582 | $70,271 | 101.1 | $69,504 | 77,490 |
| 51 | Alabama | $77,020 | 51 | $3,205 | $59,808 | 88.8 | $67,334 | 54,340 |
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, RN annual mean. Taxes: 2026, single filer, standard deduction; state payroll taxes (e.g. CA SDI) and local taxes excluded. Real take-home = take-home ÷ (RPP/100). Some state rules use the latest verified year; see our $80k guide footnotes.
Top 10 best states for nurses salary in 2026 (adjusted for cost of living)
These states leave nurses with the most buying power. Compare cities inside each one with the nurse salary guide.
1. California
RN mean wage $150,280 (raw #1). After $24,801 federal, FICA and $9,587 state tax, take-home is $104,395. At California’s price level (110.7), that buys like $94,288 nationally. Highest RN pay in the US by far. High prices and state tax still leave the most buying power.
2. Washington
RN mean wage $121,540 (raw #4). After $17,909 federal, FICA and $0 state tax, take-home is $94,333. At Washington’s price level (107.0), that buys like $88,151 nationally. No state income tax on wages and the fourth-highest RN pay.
3. Alaska
RN mean wage $114,870 (raw #6). After $16,441 federal, FICA and $0 state tax, take-home is $89,641. At Alaska’s price level (102.4), that buys like $87,575 nationally. No state income tax and high pay; prices are only slightly above average.
4. Oregon
RN mean wage $123,140 (raw #3). After $18,288 federal, FICA and $9,180 state tax, take-home is $86,253. At Oregon’s price level (103.4), that buys like $83,448 nationally. High pay offsets one of the larger state tax bills on this list.
5. Nevada
RN mean wage $105,710 (raw #10). After $14,426 federal, FICA and $0 state tax, take-home is $83,197. At Nevada’s price level (100.0), that buys like $83,214 nationally. No state income tax and prices right at the national average.
6. Massachusetts
RN mean wage $117,960 (raw #5). After $17,121 federal, FICA and $5,678 state tax, take-home is $86,137. At Massachusetts’s price level (105.8), that buys like $81,448 nationally. Strong pay and a flat 5% tax; prices are about 6% above average.
7. Hawaii
RN mean wage $124,340 (raw #2). After $18,576 federal, FICA and $7,920 state tax, take-home is $88,333. At Hawaii’s price level (110.0), that buys like $80,338 nationally. Second-highest raw pay, but the highest prices after California.
8. New Mexico
RN mean wage $95,290 (raw #21). After $12,134 federal, FICA and $3,338 state tax, take-home is $72,528. At New Mexico’s price level (92.2), that buys like $78,654 nationally. Mid-pack raw pay (#21), but prices about 8% below average lift it into the top 10.
9. Texas
RN mean wage $95,380 (raw #20). After $12,154 federal, FICA and $0 state tax, take-home is $75,930. At Texas’s price level (97.1), that buys like $78,232 nationally. No state income tax and below-average prices push Texas into the top 10.
10. Minnesota
RN mean wage $103,420 (raw #12). After $13,922 federal, FICA and $5,509 state tax, take-home is $76,077. At Minnesota’s price level (98.6), that buys like $77,141 nationally. Above-average pay with prices just under the national average.
Highest paying states for nurses (raw wage)
On pay alone, before taxes and prices, these are the 10 best paying states for RNs:
| # | State | RN mean wage | Adjusted rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $150,280 | #1 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $124,340 | #7 |
| 3 | Oregon | $123,140 | #4 |
| 4 | Washington | $121,540 | #2 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $117,960 | #6 |
| 6 | Alaska | $114,870 | #3 |
| 7 | New York | $113,440 | #11 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $110,100 | #20 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $106,980 | #42 |
| 10 | Nevada | $105,710 | #5 |
Hawaii, New York, New Jersey and DC pay well but drop after cost of living. Their prices run 8% to 10% above the national average.
Lowest paying states for nurses
| Raw rank | State | RN mean wage | Adjusted rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Alabama | $77,020 | #51 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $77,140 | #41 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $78,950 | #40 |
| 48 | Iowa | $80,540 | #39 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $81,520 | #36 |
| 46 | Kansas | $82,360 | #48 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $83,600 | #15 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $84,190 | #21 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $85,060 | #25 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $85,390 | #19 |
Low prices soften the blow. Tennessee, North Dakota and Wyoming are in the bottom half on raw pay but climb into the top 20 after taxes and prices. Alabama is last on both lists.
Biggest movers: RN salary adjusted for cost of living
- ⬆️ Rise after adjustment: North Dakota (#45 → #15), Louisiana (#44 → #21), Tennessee (#42 → #19), Wyoming (#35 → #12), Nebraska (#36 → #16).
- ⬇️ Fall after adjustment: District of Columbia (#9 → #42), Maryland (#17 → #45), Virginia (#27 → #50), Colorado (#16 → #38), Illinois (#24 → #44).
No-income-tax states like Texas, Tennessee and Wyoming gain. High-price places like DC, Maryland, Virginia and Florida slip. Florida has no income tax, but its prices are above average, so real pay ranks only #47.
Example: a nurse moving from Florida to Texas or California
Say you’re a Florida RN earning the state mean of $90,650. Here’s what the average RN pay in two other states would mean for you, using the same tax and price rules.
| Florida | Texas | California | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN mean wage (BLS May 2025) | $90,650 | $95,380 | $150,280 |
| State income tax (2026) | $0 | $0 | $9,587 |
| Take-home | $72,602 | $75,930 | $104,395 |
| Price level (RPP 2024) | 103.4 | 97.1 | 110.7 |
| Real take-home | $70,205 | $78,232 | $94,288 |
Moving to Texas at average pay adds about $8,027 of real buying power a year. California adds about $24,083, but housing costs vary a lot by city there, so check the exact metro before you decide.
These are state averages. A new grad, a night-shift ICU nurse and a nurse manager will all see different numbers. Use the profession salary guide to compare the specific city and role.
What state averages don’t show
- Experience and specialty: BLS means mix new grads and veterans, and all specialties.
- Metro vs rural: big-city hospitals usually pay more, but rent is higher too.
- Benefits: pensions, retirement match and tuition help aren’t in wage data.
- Overtime and differentials: night, weekend and charge pay can add thousands.
How much do nurses make in Texas, Florida and California?
Texas nurse salary
Texas RNs earn a BLS mean of $95,380. With no state income tax, take-home is about $75,930, worth $78,232 at national prices. That’s #9 adjusted. Texas is a compact state.
Florida nurse salary
Florida RNs earn a mean of $90,650, with take-home of about $72,602. Prices are 3.4% above average, so real take-home is $70,205, #47 of 51.
California nurse salary
California RNs earn the most in the country: $150,280 on average. Even after $9,587 of state income tax and the highest prices of any state, real take-home is $94,288, #1. California is not a compact state, so you need a California license.
Nurse Licensure Compact states
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets RNs with a multistate license work in other member states without getting a new license. NCSBN’s FY2025 annual report counts 43 member jurisdictions, with Massachusetts newly enacted and still implementing.
Some of the best paying states are not in the compact, including California, the District of Columbia, New York, Oregon, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska, Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan. Washington and Texas are compact members. Check nursecompact.com for the current map before you plan a move.
Are compact states better for nurses? They make it easier to move or take travel assignments. But on our data, the top real-pay states are mostly outside the compact, so a single-state license can be worth the paperwork.
Best states for nurses to work: beyond pay
Pay isn’t everything. Before you move, also check:
- ✅ Staffing rules: California has state-mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. Most states don’t.
- ✅ Job market size: California, Texas, New York and Florida employ the most RNs (see the table).
- ✅ City vs state: metro pay can differ a lot from the state average.
- ✅ Housing: rent eats real pay faster than any other cost.
- ✅ Union contracts and step scales in some hospitals and states.
Thinking of moving for a nursing job? Read should I relocate for a job first. Prefer short contracts? See travel nurse salary vs cost of living by city.
Tips to maximize nurse pay after cost of living
- 💰 Compare offers on real take-home, not gross.
- ✅ Consider no-income-tax states with moderate prices (Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Nevada).
- ✅ Look at specialty and shift differentials; they can matter more than state.
- 🔴 Don’t chase high raw pay in a high-rent city without running the numbers.
Comparing two job offers in different cities? The salary vs cost of living calculator handles any profession. For nurse-specific pay, use the profession salary guide.
Sources
- BLS, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Registered Nurses (29-1141), state annual mean wage and employment (BLS Public Data API).
- IRS, 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32); SSA 2026 wage base.
- State 2026 income tax rules as used in our $80,000 after tax by state guide (Tax Foundation 2026 and state sources).
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024.
- NCSBN, Nurse Licensure Compact Commission FY2025 Annual Report.
The bottom line
On 2025 BLS pay, 2026 taxes and 2024 prices, the best states for nurses salary are California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Nevada. Low-price states like New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming beat many higher-paying states on real pay. Alabama, Virginia, Utah, Kansas and Florida rank lowest after adjustment.
See what nurses earn in your target city in the free profession salary guide.
Frequently asked questions
California. BLS reports a mean registered nurse wage of $150,280 in May 2025, the highest of any state. Hawaii ($124,340), Oregon ($123,140), Washington ($121,540) and Massachusetts ($117,960) follow.
California still ranks #1 after 2026 taxes and BEA price levels: take-home of about $104,395 buys like $94,288 nationally. Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Nevada round out the top five, helped by no or low income tax.
Alabama, with a BLS mean RN wage of $77,020 in May 2025. It also ranks last after taxes and prices. South Dakota ($77,140), Mississippi and Iowa are next lowest on raw pay, though low prices help them on real pay.
BLS May 2025 RN mean wages: Texas $95,380, Florida $90,650 and California $150,280. After 2026 taxes and prices, real take-home is about $78,232 in Texas, $70,205 in Florida and $94,288 in California.
They are easier to move between: the Nurse Licensure Compact has 43 member jurisdictions (NCSBN FY2025), and one multistate license covers them. But many top real-pay states, including California, Oregon, Nevada and Alaska, are not members, so pay can be higher outside the compact.