RN salary calculator
Annualize your registered nurse base pay and see where it falls against the latest national RN wage distribution from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — without creating an account.
BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC 29-1141 · Inputs stay in your browser
Ready when you are
Your benchmark will appear here
Enter your base pay to see an annual estimate, national percentile, and the latest RN wage range. Inputs stay in your browser.
Pay context is step one. The right role is step two.
Once you know how your RN base pay compares nationally, browse nursing roles that match your license, specialty, and schedule goals.
Scope
Who this RN salary tool is for
Use this page if
- You are comparing registered nurse (RN) base pay
- You want a national BLS percentile, not a local quote
- You can enter hourly, weekly, monthly, or annual base pay
Use a sibling tool if
- You are an NP — try the NP salary calculator
- You are comparing a travel package with stipends — try the travel nurse salary comparator
The national picture
Registered nurse salary range
BLS wage percentiles show the distribution of base wages for registered nurses across industries in the United States. They are benchmarks — not recommended rates or guarantees.
| Percentile | Hourly wage | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33.14 | $68,940 |
| 25th | $38.62 | $80,330 |
| 50th | $46.90 | $97,550 |
| 75th | $54.02 | $112,350 |
| 90th | $66.09 | $137,470 |
How the math works
Transparent by design
- 1
Annualize your base pay
Hourly pay is multiplied by your hours per week and weeks per year. Weekly pay uses weeks per year; monthly pay uses 12 months.
- 2
Place it between BLS thresholds
We compare annualized pay with the published 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile wages for SOC 29-1141.
- 3
Label the approximation
Percentiles between published points use linear interpolation. Values outside the published range are reported only as below the 10th or above the 90th threshold.
Primary source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses (29-1141), May 2025. Published May 15, 2026; verified August 3, 2026.
Common questions
RN salary FAQ
How much do registered nurses make?
The national median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half of RNs earned less and half earned more. Location, specialty, schedule, and employer can produce substantially different pay.
What is the average RN salary?
BLS publishes percentile wages rather than a single “average.” The May 2025 national median for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) is $97,550 per year. Means can differ from medians when high earners pull the average up.
How is my RN salary percentile estimated?
The calculator annualizes the base pay and schedule you enter, then linearly interpolates between the BLS 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile wage thresholds. It caps the estimate at the 10th and 90th percentiles because the source does not publish enough detail to estimate the tails.
Does the comparison include overtime or benefits?
No. Use base pay only. The comparison excludes overtime, bonuses, shift differentials, stipends, insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits.
Is this a local RN salary estimate?
No. This page compares pay with the national RN wage distribution. State, metro, specialty, employer, union status, and experience can all affect local pay.
Should nurse practitioners or travel nurses use this page?
Nurse practitioners should use the NP salary calculator, which compares against BLS Nurse Practitioner wages (SOC 29-1171). Travel nurses comparing a contract package with stipends should use the travel nurse salary comparator.
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