In this article, we are going to take a look at the nurse salaries in the United States and see which states pay the highest salaries. Nurse salaries vary greatly by state, so it is important that you know what salary you can expect before applying for a position as a nurse.
What are the average nurse salaries in the US?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for registered nurses was $68,570 in May 2014. This number has remained relatively consistent over the past several years. However, salaries can vary greatly depending on experience and location. The top 10 metro areas with the highest average wages for RNs are listed below:
1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
2. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
3. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
4. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
5. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
6. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN
7. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
10. San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
How do nurse salaries vary by state?
Since 2009, the average annual salary for registered nurses has increased by 3%. Surprisingly, this increase does not seem to be uniformly spread across the nation. In fact, nurse salaries vary significantly by state.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for registered nurses in 2009 was $68,980. However, this figure varied significantly from state to state. The highest paid nurses in 2009 were in Hawaii, where their average salary was $87,480. Conversely, the lowest paid nurses were in Mississippi, where their average salary was $55,620.
Since 2009, nurse salaries have increased by an average of 3%. However, nurse salaries vary significantly by state. The highest paid nurses are in Hawaii and the lowest paid nurses are in Mississippi.
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How much do nurse salaries vary by hospital setting?
Nurse salaries also vary significantly by hospital setting. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for registered nurses working in a hospital was $83,910 in 2009. This figure varied significantly from state to state, however, with the highest paid nurses working in Hawaii and the lowest paid nurses working in Mississippi.
While nurse salaries vary significantly by hospital setting, the average annual salary for registered nurses working in a hospital is $83,910.
How do nurse salaries vary by specialty?
Nurse specialty also affects nurse salaries. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for registered nurses working in a hospital specializing in nursing care was $93,080 in 2009. This figure varied significantly from state to state, however, with the highest paid nurses working in Hawaii and the lowest paid nurses working in Mississippi.
While nurse salaries vary significantly by specialty, the average annual salary for registered nurses working in a hospital specializing in nursing care is $93,080.
Why are nurse salaries higher in some states than others?
One of the most common questions nurses hear is why their salary varies so much from state to state. The answer, according to a recent study by the National Nurses Association (NNA), has more to do with nurse licensing and regulation than actual wages. In states with strong regulation, nurses are required to hold a license and meet certain educational requirements. This leads to higher salaries for nurses because these states also tend to pay more for quality nursing services. Conversely, states without strong regulation tend to have lower salaries for nurses because there is less demand for their services.
Conclusion
The average nurse salary in the US may not be as high as you think, and there are a number of states where nurses can earn even more. In fact, according to the National Nurses Association (NNA), registered nurses can earn an average wage of $77,000 per year. Additionally, many nurses hold additional degrees or certifications that can boost their salaries even further. So if you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, don’t wait — start searching for jobs now and see what kind of salaries you could potentially make.