RN Salaries in 2026: National Overview
Registered nurses are among the most in-demand professionals in the US. BLS data and major healthcare job platforms put 2026 RN compensation at:
- Entry-level RN: $55,000–$70,000
- Experienced RN (5+ years): $70,000–$90,000
- Specialised RN (ICU, ER, OR): $80,000–$110,000
- Travel nurse (13-week contracts): $80,000–$130,000+ (tax-advantaged)
- Nurse Practitioner: $110,000–$150,000
State matters enormously — both for gross pay and the tax rate applied to it.
Top-Paying States for RNs: Gross Salary
| State | Mean Annual RN Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $133,340 |
| Hawaii | $106,530 |
| Oregon | $104,800 |
| Washington | $101,500 |
| Alaska | $97,200 |
| Massachusetts | $95,600 |
| Nevada | $91,300 |
| New Jersey | $89,700 |
| New York | $89,300 |
| Connecticut | $88,100 |
California leads significantly — but it also has the highest state income tax.
After-Tax RN Salary: High-Paying States Compared ($85,000 Gross)
| State | Gross | State Tax (Est.) | Take-Home (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $85,000 | $0 | ~$63,400 |
| Washington | $85,000 | $0 | ~$63,400 |
| Alaska | $85,000 | $0 | ~$63,400 |
| Texas | $85,000 | $0 | ~$63,400 |
| Oregon | $85,000 | ~$6,200 | ~$57,200 |
| California | $85,000 | ~$6,100 | ~$57,300 |
| New York | $85,000 | ~$5,400 | ~$58,000 |
| Massachusetts | $85,000 | ~$4,250 | ~$59,150 |
| Hawaii | $85,000 | ~$6,500 | ~$56,900 |
Nevada and Washington deliver the same effective take-home as California at any gross salary — but their median RN salary is lower. The question is whether the gross premium in California is worth the lifestyle cost.
Travel Nursing: The Tax-Advantage Opportunity
Travel nurses can earn significantly more than staff nurses for the same skills. A key reason: travel nursing pay packages are partially structured as non-taxable stipends for housing and meals, rather than fully taxable wages.
A travel nurse earning $2,800/week might receive:
- Taxable wages: $1,200/week ($62,400/year)
- Non-taxable housing stipend: $1,100/week
- Non-taxable meal stipend: $500/week
Federal and state income tax applies only to the $62,400 in taxable wages — not the $83,200 in stipends. This can result in effective tax rates of 15–20% on $145,600 in total annual compensation.
Requirements: You must maintain a permanent tax home in another location and incur duplicated living expenses to qualify. Keep careful records.
Highest After-Tax States for Nurses: Full Ranking
The after-tax sweet spot for nurses combines adequate gross pay with low state taxes. The strongest combinations:
- Texas — No income tax; growing healthcare market; Dallas and Houston have strong hospital systems
- Washington — No income tax; Seattle area pays $98k+ for experienced RNs
- Nevada — No income tax; Las Vegas healthcare system expanding post-pandemic
- Florida — No income tax; large retiree population creates consistent demand
- Arizona — Low 2.5% flat tax; Phoenix metro experiencing significant healthcare growth
Calculate Your RN Take-Home
Every nurse's situation differs: overtime, shift differentials, union contracts, pre-tax health and retirement contributions. Our calculator applies your specific state's 2026 tax tables to your actual gross income.