11 Highest Paying States for Nurses in America

If you want to know highest paying states for nurses in America, you’ve come to the right place. We can help you find a state where the average salary is higher, so you can move there and earn more money. Also, if you are going to become a registered nurse, you will find out where you should start your career. If you are open to moving abroad, you may want to check out our list of highest paying countries for nurses across the planet.

BLS  (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), claims that by 2022 the employment for this profession will increase by 19%. You should know that average growth rate for all professions is 11%. Also, the number of registered nurses will increase by 526.800 in next 7 years. The average salary, across the United States is $66.600. However, this depends on the state, facility a nurse works, and the working hours.

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

The job of registered nurses is hard. They must monitor the patient’s behavior, help with the treatment and medication, perform diagnostic tests and operate with medical equipment. We already know that this is a stressful job due to the fact, nurses work with people who need medical care. In addition, this is a dangerous job, because of viruses and infections. Some nurses claim that the salary should be higher.

In order to provide you the most accurate information, about nursing salaries in America, we used two sources. They are: Nurse Journal and Nurse Salary Guide. The values we reported below are average salaries calculated by using estimates from both sources. Salary estimates are based on statistical sampling. The bigger the sample size, the more accurate is the estimate. Using two sources doubles the sample size and potentially reduces the bias in estimates produced by each source separately. Based on our calculations here are the highest paying states for nurses in America:

11. Alabama – $61.100

A registered nurse can earn from $47.000 up to $64.000. The salaries are nation average or slightly above it. The state also has high employment rates.

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10. Mississippi – $63.370

The state is known for providing high salaries that are above nationwide average. Also, the difference between the lowest and the highest salary in the state are small.

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

michaeljung/Shutterstock.com

9. Georgia – $67.885

Although, some areas in Georgia provide very high nursing salary, others provide very low. For example, the lowest salary is $48.000.

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8. Maryland – $69.545

The state doesn’t have a high number of registered nurses. In fact, they have one of the lowest number in the United States. On the other side, the salaries can vary from $55.000 to $70.000.

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7. Illinois – $70.630

The nursing salaries in Illinois are higher than average nationwide salaries. The state is constantly ranked as one of the highest paying states for nurses in America. In addition, the state offers great working conditions.

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6. New Jersey- $73.410

The state offers good working conditions and high salaries. The lowest salary in the state is $57.000. On the other side, some facilities pay more than $80.000.

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5. Connecticut – $75.830

The nursing salaries are higher than nationwide average. Also, there are a lot of open workplaces, so this state is often chosen by registered nurses who want to start their career. The highest salary is $83.000.

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4. New York – $77.050

New York offers a lot of working places so the employment is very easy. Average nursing salaries are higher than in other states. However, it depends on a facility where registered nurse works.

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3. Washington – $78.765

The nursing salaries in Washington, DC are higher than in the other states. The hourly wage is high, so as monthly salary. On the other side, the state doesn’t have a high number of employed registered nurses. In addition, some facilities offer a salary of $80.000.

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2. Massachusetts – $81.185

The amount of salary varies from $63.000 to $88.000. Massachusetts is always in the top states for high nursing salaries. We can say that the state will stay in this position for a long time.

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1. California – $82.560

California is known for the highest number of registered nurses. In fact, they are much higher than in other states. Also, the state offers the highest hourly wage. It is possible to have a salary higher than $120.000. Because of this, California is constantly rated as one of the highest paying states for nurses in America.

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