Registered Nurse Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses (RNs) comprise the largest health care occupation, representing 2.6 million jobs, about 60 percent of which are located in hospitals. Regardless of the place of employment, RNs are responsible for treating and educating patients on how to manage illnesses and/or injuries. Most RNs earn a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, or diploma from an approved nursing program prior to entering the workforce.

Registered Nurse Salary Profile

The BLS reports that the mean annual registered nurse salary in the US, as of 2009, was $66,530, or $31.99 per hour. For the top ten percent of earners, average salaries hovered around $93,700 per year or $45.05 hourly.

Although hospitals employ the highest number of RNs, the medical equipment and supplies manufacturing industry is considered one of the top paying sectors for RNs. A registered nurse salary in this environment was $77,870 annually or $37.44 hourly, the BLS reports.

Where a registered nurse works, in terms of geographic location, can have as large an impact on salary as in what industry they are employed. According to the BLS, as of May 2009, the top five states which offer RNs the highest registered nurse salary are listed below.

• California: $85,080 annually, $40.90 hourly
• Massachusetts: $81,780 annually, $39.32 hourly
• Hawaii: $80,020 annually, $38.47 hourly
• Maryland: $76,330 annually, $36.70 hourly
• New Jersey: $74,990 annually, $36.05 hourly

States that employed the most RNs per capita were South Dakota, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Delaware.