A registered nurse salary calculator converts RN pay between hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly and annual amounts, then ranks it against official wage data. In May 2025 the median wage for registered nurses was $46.90 an hour, or $97,550 a year. The middle half earned $80,330 to $112,350.
Annual gross pay
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How to Use the Registered Nurse Salary Calculator
- Choose your pay type: annual salary or hourly rate. The tool uses one BLS wage table, registered nurses (29-1141).
- Enter your base pay, your hours per week and your weeks per year. Add other annual pay or a second offer if you have them.
- Read your annual gross pay, the pay-period amounts and where your hourly pay sits in the BLS wage table.
What each result tells you:
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Annual gross pay | Base pay for the year plus any other annual pay you entered, before tax. |
| Monthly, biweekly, weekly | Annual gross pay divided by 12, 26 and 52. |
| Hourly | Base pay per paid hour. This is the number compared with BLS. |
| BLS percentile band | The two published BLS percentiles your hourly pay falls between. |
| Approximate percentile | A straight-line estimate between those two percentiles. BLS does not publish it. |
| Gap to BLS median | Your hourly pay minus the BLS median hourly wage, in dollars and percent. |
| Full-time equivalent | Your hourly pay times 2,080 hours, the work year BLS uses for annual wages. |
| Second offer rows | The second offer as annual and hourly pay, its percentile and the yearly difference. |
The first preset is an example, not a typical wage. It shows a salaried clinic RN on $88,000 a year for 40 hours a week. That is $42.31 an hour, about the 36th percentile for registered nurses.
What Is a Registered Nurse Salary?
A registered nurse salary is the gross pay an RN earns in a year, before tax and deductions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports it under occupation code 29-1141, Registered Nurses.
BLS describes the work this way. Registered nurses assess patient health problems, develop and carry out nursing care plans, and keep medical records. The code includes clinical nurse specialists. It excludes nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.
| Fact | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay, May 2025 | $97,550 a year, $46.90 an hour |
| Mean pay, May 2025 | $101,420 a year, $48.76 an hour |
| Wage and salary jobs in the wage survey | 3,379,720 |
| All jobs, 2025 (Occupational Outlook Handbook) | 3,465,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor degree. An associate degree or an approved diploma also qualifies. |
| Licence | Required in every state |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | 6% growth, about 180,800 openings a year |
The median for all occupations was $50,980 in May 2025. The registered nurse median is $46,570 higher.
This page covers registered nurses only. The nurse salary calculator uses the same BLS table and adds licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners, so use it to compare licence levels.
The tool is for RNs checking an offer, a raise or a schedule change. It is not a pay quote from any employer.
How Does the Registered Nurse Salary Calculator Work?
The calculator converts your pay between time periods, then places your hourly pay in the BLS wage distribution for registered nurses.
Annual pay = hourly rate x hours per week x weeks per yearApproximate percentile = P1 + (your hourly - W1) / (W2 - W1) x (P2 - P1)- Convert. An hourly rate is multiplied by hours and weeks. A salary is divided by them to get pay per hour.
- Add other pay. Overtime, differentials and bonuses you typed are added to the annual total only.
- Find the band. Your base hourly pay is checked against the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile wages.
- Interpolate. W1 and W2 are the two BLS wages around your pay. P1 and P2 are their percentiles.
- Measure the gap. Your hourly pay minus the median, then divided by the median.
The table below holds the BLS figures the tool uses. They are fixed for the May 2025 release.
| Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) | Hourly wage | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33.14 | $68,940 |
| 25th percentile | $38.62 | $80,330 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46.90 | $97,550 |
| 75th percentile | $54.02 | $112,350 |
| 90th percentile | $66.09 | $137,470 |
| Mean (average) | $48.76 | $101,420 |
| Employment | 3,379,720 jobs | |
Source: BLS OEWS, national estimates, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
BLS annual wages equal the hourly wage times 2,080 hours. That is 40 hours for 52 weeks. The comparison uses hourly pay so that part-time and long-shift schedules are judged fairly.
Registered Nurse Salary Example: Two Hourly Offers
A registered nurse earns $41.80 an hour at an outpatient clinic. She works 40 hours a week for 52 weeks. Her pay stubs show $2,400 of overtime for the year. A hospital offers $46.25 an hour for the same hours.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Base annual pay | 41.80 x 40 x 52 | $86,944.00 |
| Annual gross pay | 86,944.00 + 2,400.00 | $89,344.00 |
| Monthly | 89,344.00 / 12 | $7,445.33 |
| Biweekly | 89,344.00 / 26 | $3,436.31 |
| BLS band | 41.80 is between 38.62 and 46.90 | 25th to 50th percentile |
| Approximate percentile | 25 + (41.80 - 38.62) / (46.90 - 38.62) x 25 | About the 35th |
| Gap to median | 41.80 - 46.90 | -$5.10 an hour (-10.9%) |
| Full-time equivalent | 41.80 x 2,080 | $86,944.00 |
| Second offer | 46.25 x 40 x 52 | $96,200.00, +$9,256.00 a year |
Her base rate sits below the national median of $46.90. The hospital offer adds $9,256.00 a year and lands at about the 48th percentile. The $2,400 of overtime raises her annual total but not her percentile, because BLS wages exclude overtime.
Factors That Change Registered Nurse Pay
Industry
Industry changes the average RN wage. The top-paying industry averages $27,840 above the national mean. These five industries had the highest annual mean wage in May 2025.
| Industry | Annual mean wage | Versus national mean |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $129,260 | +$27,840 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $120,700 | +$19,280 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $116,430 | +$15,010 |
| Facilities Support Services | $112,830 | +$11,410 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $112,690 | +$11,270 |
The industries with the highest annual mean wage for registered nurses. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
None of the top five is a large employer of nurses. The employment table in the next section shows where most RN jobs are.
State
State averages differ by tens of thousands of dollars. California has the highest annual mean wage at $150,280. That is $48,860 above the national mean.
| State | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|
| California | $150,280 |
| Hawaii | $124,340 |
| Oregon | $123,140 |
| Washington | $121,540 |
| Massachusetts | $117,960 |
The states with the highest annual mean wage for registered nurses. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
Education Path
BLS lists three paths to an RN licence: a bachelor degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved program. BLS does not publish separate wages by degree. This tool therefore applies no degree multiplier.
Hours per Week
A 36-hour schedule pays 10% less a year than a 40-hour schedule at the same hourly rate. The tool compares hourly pay for that reason. The salary to hourly calculator gives a quick conversion without the BLS comparison.
Premium Pay
Overtime, night differentials and bonuses raise annual pay. BLS leaves them out of its wage figures. The overtime pay calculator works out overtime from your own hours.
Registered Nurse Pay by Employer: Hospital vs Outpatient vs Government
Government employers pay registered nurses the highest median wage, and schools pay the lowest. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook gives these medians for May 2025.
| Employer group | Median annual wage | Versus all RNs |
|---|---|---|
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $110,780 | +$13,230 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $100,220 | +$2,670 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $91,230 | -$6,320 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $84,300 | -$13,250 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $78,620 | -$18,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses. Read on 2026-10-02.
Hospitals employ 59% of registered nurses, according to the Handbook. Ambulatory healthcare services employ 19%. That group includes physician offices, home healthcare and outpatient care centers.
| Industry | Jobs | Share of 3,379,720 jobs |
|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 1,902,960 | 56.3% |
| Offices of Physicians | 232,420 | 6.9% |
| Home Health Care Services | 198,180 | 5.9% |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 173,380 | 5.1% |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 142,270 | 4.2% |
The industries with the most jobs for registered nurses. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
General medical and surgical hospitals hold 56.3% of the RN jobs in the wage survey. The hospital median of $100,220 is $8,990 above the ambulatory median.
When to Use the Registered Nurse Salary Calculator
Checking a Job Offer
Enter the offered base rate and the unit schedule. The band shows whether the offer is in the lower or upper half of national RN pay.
Comparing 36 and 40 Hours
Change the hours per week and watch the annual figure. At the RN median of $46.90, 36 hours pays $87,796.80 a year and 40 hours pays $97,552.00.
Moving from Clinic to Hospital
Put your current rate in the pay field and the new rate in the second offer field. The tool shows both percentiles and the yearly difference.
Budgeting After Tax
The result is gross pay. Read the gross vs net income guide before you plan a household budget from it.
Common Mistakes with Registered Nurse Pay Comparisons
1. Comparing a 36-Hour Year with the BLS Annual Wage
BLS annual wages assume 2,080 hours. An RN on three 12-hour shifts works 1,872 hours a year and looks underpaid against them. Compare hourly rates, or read the full-time equivalent row.
2. Entering a Night Rate as Base Pay
A night rate includes a shift differential. BLS excludes differentials. Enter the day base rate and put the extra pay in the other annual pay field.
3. Treating the National Median as a Local Rate
The mean RN wage in California is $150,280. The national mean is $101,420. A national figure does not price a local market.
4. Expecting a Specialty Table
BLS counts every RN specialty in one code. Critical care, operating room and pediatric nurses all sit in 29-1141. No official specialty wage exists to compare against.
5. Reading the Percentile as Exact
BLS publishes five percentiles. The number between them is a straight-line estimate and can be off by several points.
6. Counting Travel Stipends as Wages
Housing and meal stipends are not wages in BLS data. Enter only the taxable hourly rate as base pay.
Accuracy and Limitations
The conversion is exact arithmetic. The percentile is an estimate, because BLS publishes only five points of the wage distribution.
What it calculates accurately
- Annual, monthly, biweekly, weekly and hourly gross pay from your own figures.
- The BLS percentile band your hourly pay falls in.
- The dollar and percent gap to the BLS national median.
- The yearly difference between two offers on the same schedule.
What it does not account for
- Federal, state and local tax, or any payroll deduction.
- Your state, metro area, employer, experience or specialty.
- Benefits such as health insurance, retirement match and paid leave.
- Wages after May 2025. BLS updates the survey once a year.
- Nursing specialty, certification or degree. BLS publishes no wage by these.
- Travel nurse stipends and agency housing payments.
BLS wages are straight-time gross pay. They exclude overtime pay, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. Keep those in the other annual pay field so the comparison stays like for like.
How We Calculate Registered Nurse Pay and Percentiles
Frequently Asked Questions About Registered Nurse Salaries
How much does a registered nurse make a year?
Registered nurses had a median annual wage of $97,550 in May 2025, according to BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $68,940 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $137,470.
How much do registered nurses make an hour?
The median hourly wage for registered nurses was $46.90 in May 2025. The 25th percentile was $38.62 and the 75th percentile was $54.02.
What is a good hourly rate for an RN?
A rate above $46.90 an hour is above the national median for registered nurses. A rate above $54.02 is in the top quarter. Local pay differs, so compare with your state as well.
Which employers pay registered nurses the most?
Government employers paid the highest median, $110,780, in May 2025. Hospitals paid $100,220 and ambulatory healthcare services paid $91,230, according to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Which state pays registered nurses the most?
California pays the most, with an annual mean wage of $150,280 in May 2025. Hawaii follows at $124,340 and Oregon at $123,140.
Do RNs with a bachelor degree earn more than RNs with an associate degree?
BLS does not publish RN wages by degree, so this tool shows no degree gap. The Handbook says employers, particularly hospitals, may require a bachelor degree, and that a bachelor or higher degree is often needed for administrative, research and teaching roles.
How wide is the registered nurse pay range?
The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile was $68,530 a year in May 2025. The 10th percentile was $68,940 and the 90th percentile was $137,470.
Is registered nursing a growing occupation?
Yes. BLS projects 6% employment growth for registered nurses from 2025 to 2035, against 3% for all occupations. It projects about 180,800 openings a year, many of them to replace nurses who retire or change occupation.
How is this page different from the nurse salary calculator?
This page covers registered nurses only, with employer, industry and state detail. The nurse salary calculator uses the same BLS figures for RNs and adds a selector for licensed practical nurses and nurse practitioners.
Why does the calculator not show take-home pay?
Take-home pay depends on your filing status, state and deductions, and this tool does not estimate tax. It shows gross pay only, so every figure can be checked against your offer letter or pay stub.
Is my pay information saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. The Save button stores a result only on your own device.
Sources
- BLS OEWS Profiles, May 2025 national estimates (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Select 29-1141 Registered Nurses. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Duties, education paths, employers, pay by industry and 2025 to 2035 outlook. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS technical notes for the May 2025 OEWS estimates (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Defines the wage: straight-time gross pay, 2,080-hour year. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS May 2025 OEWS occupation index (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lists every occupation code in the May 2025 release. Read 2026-10-02.)
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Explore all career calculatorsThis registered nurse salary calculator gives an estimate for planning. It uses BLS survey data, not a pay offer, and it is not financial, tax or career advice. BLS figures are national estimates for May 2025, read on 2026-10-02. All amounts are gross pay before tax. Confirm pay with the employer before you decide. Spotted an error? Let us know.
Author
Shakeel Muzaffar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MultiCalculators.com, bringing over 15 years of experience in digital publishing, product strategy, and online tool development. He leads the platform's editorial vision, ensuring every calculator meets strict standards for accuracy, usability, and real-world value. Shakeel personally oversees content quality, formula verification workflows, and the platform's commitment to publishing tools that are genuinely useful for students, professionals, and everyday users worldwide.
