Registered Nurse Salary Overview 2026
Registered nurses (RNs) are among the most in-demand professionals in the US. Salaries vary dramatically by state, specialty, and setting — and state income taxes can cost a nurse $8,000–$15,000 per year in take-home pay.
National RN Salary Ranges (2026)
| Setting | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Hospital (med-surg) | $62,000 – $85,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care | $75,000 – $105,000 |
| Emergency Room | $72,000 – $100,000 |
| Travel Nurse (agency) | $85,000 – $130,000+ |
| CRNA (anesthesia) | $185,000 – $240,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $110,000 – $145,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed, ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying States for Registered Nurses
| State | Mean Annual RN Wage | State Income Tax |
|---|---|---|
| California | $130,500 | 9.3%+ |
| Hawaii | $113,000 | 8.25% |
| Oregon | $106,000 | 9.9% |
| Massachusetts | $104,500 | 5.0% |
| Washington | $101,000 | 0% |
| Alaska | $98,500 | 0% |
| Nevada | $91,000 | 0% |
| New York | $97,500 | 6.85% |
$80,000 RN Salary: Take-Home Pay by State
Single filer, standard deduction, 2026:
| State | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | ~$60,400 | ~$5,033 |
| Florida | ~$60,400 | ~$5,033 |
| Washington | ~$60,400 | ~$5,033 |
| California | ~$53,600 | ~$4,467 |
| Oregon | ~$53,200 | ~$4,433 |
| New York | ~$55,800 | ~$4,650 |
| Illinois | ~$57,400 | ~$4,783 |
Travel Nursing vs Staff Nursing: After-Tax Comparison
Travel nurses often earn significantly more gross pay — but the tax picture is complex.
Tax-free stipends: Travel nurses typically receive a non-taxable housing and meal stipend (e.g., $25,000–$40,000/year) because they maintain a "tax home." This stipend is not subject to federal or state income tax, which is why travel nurses' effective take-home is much higher than their base pay suggests.
Example: A travel nurse earning $50,000 base + $30,000 stipend pays tax only on $50,000. A staff RN earning the same $80,000 total gross pays tax on the full $80,000 — a difference of approximately $5,000–$9,000 in take-home pay.
Compact Nursing License and State Mobility
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows RNs to practice in 41 member states with a single license. This enables nurses to:
- Take travel assignments across state lines without new licensing fees
- Relocate for better-paying states with minimal credential friction
- Work telehealth across state lines
California, New York, and Illinois are not NLC members — nurses moving to these states need separate licenses.
Overtime Pay
Hospital RNs working overtime (over 40 hours/week) earn 1.5× their regular rate. At $40/hour base, overtime is $60/hour. A nurse working 10 hours overtime per week adds approximately $28,000–$30,000 gross per year — though the marginal tax rate on overtime is higher, effective take-home from overtime is typically 60–65% of gross.