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2026 Nursing Salary Guide by State and Specialty

Start with reliable nursing pay benchmarks

Salary figures are most useful when the source, occupation and reference period are clear. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the May 2025 national median annual wage was $97,550 for registered nurses, $64,400 for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and $42,260 for nursing assistants. For the combined group of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, the May 2025 median was $134,920.

These are national occupational medians, not guaranteed offers. Review the current BLS profiles for registered nurses, LPNs and LVNs, nursing assistants and advanced practice registered nurses.

Why nursing salaries vary by state

  • Local labor demand: vacancies, specialty shortages and regional competition can affect pay.
  • Cost of living: a larger salary may not produce greater purchasing power after housing, transportation and taxes.
  • Employer and setting: hospitals, ambulatory centers, long-term care, home health, government and education use different pay structures.
  • Collective bargaining and pay scales: some employers use transparent steps based on experience or credentials.
  • Urban, suburban and rural markets: base rates, incentives and commuting costs may differ within the same state.
  • Licensure and scope: state requirements and the exact licensed role matter.

Compare nursing opportunities by state

Use current job listings to compare the actual employers, settings and schedules available in your market:

For more markets, visit the nursing jobs by state hub.

How specialty affects compensation

Specialty alone does not determine salary. Compensation often reflects required credentials, call obligations, acuity, staffing conditions, shift coverage and local demand. Critical care, emergency, perioperative, labor and delivery, oncology, home health, travel and advanced-practice roles can each have different requirements and pay structures.

Compare opportunities through the specialty hub, including ICU nurse jobs, operating room nurse jobs, travel nurse jobs and nurse practitioner jobs.

Look beyond the base rate

  • Evening, night, weekend and holiday differentials.
  • On-call, callback and overtime rules.
  • Sign-on or retention bonuses and their repayment terms.
  • Health coverage, retirement contributions and paid leave.
  • Tuition, certification and continuing-education support.
  • Parking, commuting, relocation or housing costs.
  • Guaranteed hours and cancellation terms for contract work.

How to evaluate a nursing offer

  1. Confirm whether the figure is hourly, annual, per diem or contract compensation.
  2. Ask which differentials are guaranteed and which depend on schedule.
  3. Calculate the value and start date of benefits.
  4. Read bonus, relocation and repayment conditions.
  5. Compare staffing expectations, orientation, call and floating requirements.
  6. Use documented experience, credentials and market data when negotiating.

Questions to ask about salary

  • Is the base rate determined by a published experience scale?
  • Which shifts and certifications receive differentials?
  • How are overtime, on-call and callback paid?
  • When are compensation reviews conducted?
  • Are any bonuses subject to a minimum-service agreement?

Salary data changes and individual offers vary. Treat national medians as a starting point, then verify the written compensation, schedule and benefit terms for the specific role. Browse current nursing and healthcare jobs to compare active opportunities.

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