Registered Nurse Hourly Pay, Skills & Requirements (2026)
Advertised pay, starting pay, skills and experience from 140,130 US job postings by 9,967 employers. Data as of October 2026.
What US employers post for registered nurses: advertised pay, the skills and experience they ask for, and the job titles they use, from 140,130 open job postings (October 2026).
- The median advertised pay for registered nurses in US job postings is $45.28 an hour (23,468 postings from 2,626 employers, October 2026).
- The middle half of those postings offer $39.59 to $52.86 an hour.
- Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $46.10 an hour (8,702 postings).
- The skills that most set registered nurse postings apart are nursing process, compassionate, critical thinking skills.
- Postings that state a minimum ask for a median of 1 year of experience.
Registered Nurse job postings in the US, October 2026
- $45.28/hr
- Median advertised pay (23,468 postings)
- $39.59–$52.86
- Middle 50% of postings
- $46.10/hr
- Starting pay (postings asking up to 1 year)
- 140,130
- US job postings from 9,967 employers
How much does a registered nurse make an hour?
The median advertised pay is $45.28 an hour, from 23,468 US job postings by 2,626 employers that state pay. That is about $94,000 a year at 2,080 hours.
Advertised pay in 23,468 US registered nurse job postings: median $94,000 a year ($45.28 an hour), middle half $82,000 to $110,000.
- Median: $94,000 ($45.28/hr)
- 25th percentile: $82,000
- 75th percentile: $110,000
The figures as a table
| Annual pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| $10K–$20K | 0.4% |
| $20K–$30K | 0.3% |
| $30K–$40K | 0.2% |
| $40K–$50K | 0.8% |
| $50K–$60K | 2.0% |
| $60K–$70K | 3.9% |
| $70K–$80K | 12.4% |
| $80K–$90K | 22.4% |
| $90K–$100K | 18.9% |
| $100K–$110K | 13.2% |
| $110K–$120K | 8.3% |
| $120K–$130K | 5.7% |
| $130K–$140K | 3.1% |
| $140K–$150K | 3.0% |
| $150K–$160K | 1.4% |
| $160K–$170K | 0.9% |
| $170K–$180K | 0.6% |
| $180K–$190K | 0.6% |
| $190K–$200K | 0.2% |
| $200K–$210K | 1.0% |
Midpoint of each posting's pay range, hourly pay × 2,080 hours; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
| Median | Middle 50% | Postings | Most common titles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postings that state an hourly rate | $45.28 | $39.59–$52.86 | 7,940 | Registered Nurse, Registered Nurse (RN), RN |
| Postings that state an annual salary | $92,000 | $82K–$112K | 2,222 | Registered Nurse, RN, Director of Nursing |
| All pay postings, annualised | $94,000 | $82K–$110K | 23,468 | – |
For comparison, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median annual wage of Registered Nurses (29-1141) at $98,000 (May 2025). Postings advertise pay; the BLS measures what people earn, across all employers and levels.
What is the starting salary for a registered nurse?
Postings that ask for up to 1 year of experience advertise a median of $46.10 an hour (8,702 postings).
| Experience asked | Median advertised pay | Postings |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 years | $46.10/hr | 8,702 |
| 2-4 years | $49.00/hr | 4,284 |
| 5+ years | $50.00/hr | 1,130 |
Registered nurse levels and pay
Levels as they appear in job titles, ordered by the median experience asked.
| Level in title | Share of postings | Median experience asked | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| No level in title | 97.3% | 1 year | $45.00/hr |
| Staff | 1.7% | 1 year | $50.88/hr |
Highest-paying registered nurse jobs
Specializations with at least 250 postings that state pay.
| Specialization | Median pay | Postings with pay | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director of Nursing | $58.89/hr | 610 | 267 |
| Registered Nurse - Operating Room | $48.93/hr | 343 | 100 |
| Registered Nurse - Emergency Department | $48.72/hr | 659 | 106 |
| RN Supervisor | $48.50/hr | 688 | 345 |
| Home Health Registered Nurse | $45.80/hr | 883 | 153 |
| Registered Nurse (general) | $45.30/hr | 6,639 | 1,000 |
| RN Case Manager | $44.77/hr | 423 | 162 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $43.81/hr | 4,988 | 1,023 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) Night Shift | $43.08/hr | 389 | 131 |
| Registered Nurse - PRN | $43.00/hr | 301 | 95 |
Registered nurse pay by state
Single-location US postings; states with at least 100 postings that state pay. States with pay-transparency laws (such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington) are over-represented among postings that state pay.
| State | Median pay | Middle 50% | Postings with pay | Share of postings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $57.21/hr | $50.19–$65.00 | 1,253 | 6.4% |
| Washington | $53.00/hr | $46.00–$61.17 | 310 | 2.1% |
| Oregon | $52.50/hr | $46.04–$65.39 | 322 | 1.2% |
| New York | $50.00/hr | $43.33–$59.50 | 2,032 | 5.0% |
| New Hampshire | $49.08/hr | $43.50–$52.50 | 133 | 0.8% |
| Massachusetts | $49.00/hr | $44.03–$55.28 | 870 | 2.9% |
| New Jersey | $48.13/hr | $43.66–$53.97 | 843 | 2.9% |
| Connecticut | $48.05/hr | $43.00–$55.00 | 206 | 1.1% |
| Rhode Island | $47.78/hr | $42.98–$53.55 | 262 | 0.7% |
| Colorado | $46.00/hr | $41.00–$49.17 | 651 | 1.6% |
| Maine | $45.94/hr | $42.25–$48.12 | 206 | 0.5% |
| Maryland | $45.67/hr | $40.00–$50.48 | 534 | 1.9% |
| Minnesota | $44.04/hr | $40.87–$49.45 | 350 | 1.6% |
| Pennsylvania | $44.00/hr | $39.66–$48.00 | 560 | 3.0% |
| New Mexico | $44.00/hr | $37.00–$48.93 | 215 | 0.9% |
| Montana | $43.73/hr | $39.76–$50.06 | 116 | 0.5% |
| Georgia | $43.61/hr | $40.50–$50.00 | 322 | 6.4% |
| Kansas | $43.57/hr | $37.57–$46.94 | 171 | 1.7% |
| Illinois | $43.00/hr | $39.45–$47.98 | 1,491 | 4.1% |
| Delaware | $43.00/hr | $38.00–$45.00 | 133 | 0.3% |
| Arizona | $42.75/hr | $38.62–$49.02 | 205 | 2.1% |
| Wisconsin | $42.75/hr | $39.96–$47.00 | 169 | 2.0% |
| Texas | $42.00/hr | $37.74–$50.00 | 437 | 6.2% |
| Virginia | $42.00/hr | $39.63–$46.50 | 397 | 1.9% |
| Oklahoma | $41.23/hr | $36.65–$48.93 | 137 | 1.6% |
| North Carolina | $40.95/hr | $37.31–$44.07 | 427 | 4.4% |
| Indiana | $40.87/hr | $36.69–$46.00 | 313 | 2.5% |
| Ohio | $40.70/hr | $35.50–$44.23 | 740 | 5.6% |
| Michigan | $40.35/hr | $37.50–$50.00 | 155 | 2.3% |
| Florida | $40.00/hr | $35.89–$43.20 | 1,256 | 6.6% |
| Tennessee | $40.00/hr | $34.89–$45.00 | 214 | 2.9% |
| Missouri | $40.00/hr | $37.50–$44.31 | 199 | 2.5% |
| Alabama | $38.50/hr | $36.00–$42.57 | 105 | 2.3% |
| Iowa | $38.00/hr | $34.00–$42.00 | 165 | 1.6% |
| South Carolina | $37.50/hr | $35.50–$41.00 | 165 | 1.4% |
| Kentucky | $37.38/hr | $30.00–$42.09 | 112 | 1.3% |
Skills employers ask for in registered nurse job postings
| Skill | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| Communication | 31% |
| Compassionate | 13% |
| Interpersonal skills | 13% |
| Organizational skills | 12% |
| Problem-solving | 8% |
| Leadership | 8% |
| Nursing process | 8% |
| Work independently | 7% |
| Critical thinking | 6% |
| Critical thinking skills | 5% |
Skills named in the posting text; at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026. Methodology.
Skills that set registered nurses apart
- Nursing process27.8× as often as in all postings · 8%
- Compassionate4.6× as often as in all postings · 13%
- Critical thinking skills5.4× as often as in all postings · 5%
- Critical thinking3.7× as often as in all postings · 6%
Skills named in at least 5% of these postings and at least 3 times as often as in job postings overall.
Have a registered nurse job posting in front of you? See which of its skills your resume is missing.
What does a registered nurse do?
| Duty | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Collaborate with interdisciplinary team on patient care | 29% |
| Maintain accurate documentation of patient care | 22% |
| Communicate with patients, families and care team | 19% |
| Monitor patients and report changes in condition | 16% |
| Administer medications and treatments as ordered | 15% |
| Develop and implement individualized care plans | 10% |
| Educate patients and families on care | 10% |
| Participate in quality improvement activities | 8% |
From the bullet lists of 1,210 postings by 1,169 employers; items grouped by meaning and counted once per employer.
Employers post these jobs as RN, Registered Nurse (RN), Director of Nursing, RN Supervisor, Nurse Manager and other titles. The largest specializations are Registered Nurse (RN) (18%), RN Supervisor (3%), Director of Nursing (3%), RN Case Manager (1%), Assistant Director of Nursing (under 1%), Registered Nurse (RN) Night Shift (2%).
The closest official occupation is Registered Nurses (29-1141.00). Its most important tasks:
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
What employers ask for in registered nurse job postings
| Requirement | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) license | 63% |
| CPR or BLS certification | 27% |
| Graduate of an accredited nursing program | 22% |
| Clinical assessment and critical thinking skills | 21% |
| Written and verbal communication skills | 13% |
| Valid driver's license and reliable transportation | 10% |
| Ability to work independently | 10% |
| Associate or bachelor's degree in nursing | 10% |
| Proven leadership and supervisory ability | 8% |
| Long-term care experience preferred | 7% |
| State or multistate compact RN license | 7% |
| First aid and CPR certification | 7% |
From the bullet lists of 1,210 postings by 1,169 employers; items grouped by meaning and counted once per employer.
13% of postings state a lifting requirement; the median is 50 lbs (up to 25 lbs 19%, 26-50 lbs 58%, over 50 lbs 23%).
Benefits employers offer in registered nurse job postings
| Benefit | Share of employers |
|---|---|
| Medical, dental and vision insurance | 34% |
| Career growth and advancement opportunities | 15% |
| Competitive pay | 15% |
| Retirement plan with employer match | 14% |
| Supportive, team-oriented work environment | 12% |
| Paid time off and paid holidays | 11% |
| Employee Assistance Program | 10% |
| Tuition reimbursement | 10% |
| Paid time off (PTO) | 10% |
| Employee referral bonus program | 7% |
Counted only where the posting itself lists the benefit; many employers list benefits elsewhere.
How much experience do you need to be a registered nurse?
Among 15,733 postings that state a minimum, the median is 1 year. 1% say 0 years and 54% ask for 1 year or less.
Minimum experience asked in 15,733 US registered nurse job postings: median 1 year, and 54% ask for 1 year or less.
The figures as a table
| Minimum experience asked | Share of postings |
|---|---|
| 0 yr | 3% |
| 1 yr | 52% |
| 2 yrs | 30% |
| 3-4 yrs | 12% |
| 5-7 yrs | 4% |
| 8-9 yrs | under 1% |
| 10+ yrs | under 1% |
Postings that state a minimum (required or preferred); at most 20 postings per employer; US, October 2026.
We do not show a degree figure: in our checks, degree requirements in posting text were found too rarely to publish one. Why.
Full-time 80%, Part-time 20% of the 8,356 postings that state working hours.
Other names for a registered nurse: job titles employers use
| Job title | Employers using it |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 3,575 (35.9%) |
| RN | 1,834 (18.4%) |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 1,797 (18.0%) |
| Director of Nursing | 539 (5.4%) |
| RN Supervisor | 434 (4.3%) |
| Nurse Manager | 371 (3.7%) |
| RN Case Manager | 343 (3.4%) |
| Registered Nurse RN | 294 (2.9%) |
| Assistant Director of Nursing | 282 (2.8%) |
| MDS Coordinator | 226 (2.3%) |
| Substitute Nurse | 206 (2.1%) |
| RN Registered Nurse | 193 (1.9%) |
| School Nurse | 191 (1.9%) |
| Substitute School Nurse | 185 (1.9%) |
| RN Unit Manager | 182 (1.8%) |
| Director of Nursing (DON) | 169 (1.7%) |
| Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) | 145 (1.5%) |
| RN Weekend Supervisor | 141 (1.4%) |
| Nurse Supervisor | 141 (1.4%) |
| Registered Nurse Supervisor | 139 (1.4%) |
Titles read in our audit and used by at least 3 employers.
Registered nurse job titles compared
The titles people search for most, from the US job postings that use each exact title (October 2026).
| Job title | Open postings | Employers | Median pay | Median experience | Skills named most |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RN | 21,957 | 1,834 | $46.55/hr | 1 year | communication, nursing process, interpersonal skills |
| MDS Coordinator | 309 | 226 | – | – | communication, organizational skills, attention to detail |
| Director of Nursing | 1,171 | 539 | – | 2 years | communication, leadership, organizational skills |
What does an MDS Coordinator do?
- Complete accurate and timely MDS assessments (66% of employers)
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team on care plans (40% of employers)
- MDS data entry and electronic submission (17% of employers)
- Update resident assessments and care plans (17% of employers)
- Stay current on Medicare, Medicaid and RAI/MDS rules (17% of employers)
- Protect resident confidentiality (15% of employers)
How to become an MDS Coordinator
What employers ask for most.
- Current RN or LPN license (79% of employers)
- Prior MDS experience (65% of employers)
- Communication and organizational skills (39% of employers)
- Knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid regulations (28% of employers)
- Long-term care experience (21% of employers)
- Graduate of an accredited nursing school (18% of employers)
What does a Director of Nursing do?
- Lead and manage all nursing services (41% of employers)
- Supervise and develop nursing staff (38% of employers)
- Develop and implement nursing policies and procedures (34% of employers)
- Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (30% of employers)
- Collaborate with physicians and the interdisciplinary team (20% of employers)
- Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement (16% of employers)
How to become a Director of Nursing
What employers ask for most. Postings ask for a median of 2 years of experience.
- Current RN license (65% of employers)
- Leadership, communication and organizational skills (38% of employers)
- Years of nursing supervisory or leadership experience (36% of employers)
- Nursing degree from an accredited school (33% of employers)
- Knowledge of healthcare regulations and compliance (28% of employers)
- Nursing leadership experience in long-term care (18% of employers)
Registered Nurse compared with similar careers
| Career | Median pay | Median experience | Postings | Shares N of top 25 skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $45.28/hr | 1 year | 140,130 | – |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $32.65/hr | 1 year | 34,229 | 19 |
| Nurse Midwife | – | 2 years | 1,206 | 15 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142K | 2 years | 21,109 | 17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $34.52/hr | 1 year | 12,964 | 18 |
Similar careers
| Career | Shares N of the top 25 skills | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 19 | $32.65/hr |
| Nurse Midwife | 15 | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | 17 | $142K |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | 18 | $34.52/hr |
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 15 | $21.00/hr |
| Physical Therapist | 18 | $104K |
Applying for registered nurse jobs?
- Registered nurse resume examples: one-page examples for these roles
- Match your resume to a job: paste a posting and see the skills your resume is missing
- Check your resume: see how an applicant tracking system reads it
- Find registered nurse jobs: search open postings
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make an hour?
What is the starting salary for a registered nurse?
What are the registered nurse levels?
What are the highest-paying registered nurse jobs?
How much does an RN make?
What is an MDS Coordinator?
What is a Director of Nursing?
Source and method
Open US job postings collected from employers' applicant tracking systems, de-duplicated, counted only when their job title was read in our audit. Shares count at most 20 postings per employer, and franchise locations of one brand count as one employer. Pay uses hourly and annual figures only; a figure is shown when leaving out the largest employer moves it by 10% or less. Every figure states its number of postings. Methodology and measured accuracy.
Accuracy check: we read 20 randomly chosen postings counted on this page in full; 19 of them were this career or a closely related one (October 2026).
Download the figures on this page (CSV): every number above with its count of postings. Aggregate figures are licensed CC BY 4.0; cite the page when you reuse them.