A nurse salary calculator converts nursing pay between hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly and annual amounts, then compares it with official wage data. In May 2025 the median annual wage was $97,550 for registered nurses, $64,400 for licensed practical and vocational nurses, and $132,300 for nurse practitioners.
Annual gross pay
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How to Use the Nurse Salary Calculator
- Pick your nursing role: registered nurse, LPN or LVN, or nurse practitioner. Then choose hourly or annual pay.
- 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 registered nurse paid $45.00 an hour for 36 hours a week. That works out to $84,240.00 a year, about the 44th percentile.
What Is a Nurse Salary?
A nurse salary is the gross pay a nurse earns in a year, before tax and deductions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports it separately for three nursing roles, because their licences and duties differ.
| Role | What the role does (BLS) | Typical entry education | Jobs, 2025 | Outlook, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) | Provides and coordinates patient care and educates patients about health conditions. | Bachelor degree. An associate degree or an approved diploma also qualifies. Licence required. | 3,465,400 | 6% growth, about 180,800 openings a year |
| Licensed practical or vocational nurse (LPN, LVN) | Provides basic medical care. | State-approved program of about 1 year. Licence required. | 666,900 | 3% growth, about 51,800 openings a year |
| Nurse practitioner (NP) | Diagnoses and treats illness and may prescribe medication. | Master degree, state licence and a national certification exam. | 336,300 | 36% growth for the advanced practice nurse group |
The outlook figures come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, read on 2026-10-02. The 36% figure covers nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners together. BLS gives the average for all occupations as 3%.
BLS counts every registered nurse specialty in one wage table. Critical care, pediatric and oncology nurses are all code 29-1141, and so are clinical nurse specialists. This page therefore has no specialty selector.
This tool is for nurses checking an offer, a raise or a schedule change. It is not a pay quote from any employer.
How Does the Nurse Salary Calculator Work?
The calculator converts your pay between time periods, then places your hourly pay in the BLS wage distribution for 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 is the registered nurse wage table the tool loads first. Switch the occupation to load the LPN or nurse practitioner table.
| 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.
Nurse Salary Example: RN on 36 Hours a Week
A registered nurse earns $48.50 an hour. She works three 12-hour shifts, so 36 hours a week for 52 weeks. Her pay stubs show $6,200 of overtime and night differential for the year. A second hospital offers $52.00 an hour.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Base annual pay | 48.50 x 36 x 52 | $90,792.00 |
| Annual gross pay | 90,792.00 + 6,200 | $96,992.00 |
| Monthly | 96,992.00 / 12 | $8,082.67 |
| Biweekly | 96,992.00 / 26 | $3,730.46 |
| BLS band | 48.50 is between 46.90 and 54.02 | 50th to 75th percentile |
| Approximate percentile | 50 + (48.50 - 46.90) / (54.02 - 46.90) x 25 | About the 56th |
| Gap to median | 48.50 - 46.90 | +$1.60 an hour (+3.4%) |
| Second offer | 52 x 36 x 52 | $97,344.00, +$6,552.00 a year |
Her base rate is a little above the national median for registered nurses. The second offer adds $6,552.00 a year and lands near the 68th percentile. The $6,200 of premium pay raises her annual total but not her percentile, because BLS wages exclude it.
Factors That Change Nurse Pay
Licence Level
Licence level moves pay more than any other factor in the BLS data. The median annual wage rises from $64,400 for LPNs to $97,550 for registered nurses and $132,300 for nurse practitioners.
Industry
The employer type changes the average. Hospitals employ 59% of registered nurses, yet they are not in the top five for mean pay.
| 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 five industries with the highest annual mean wage for registered nurses. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
State
State averages differ by tens of thousands of dollars. California has the highest mean wage for registered nurses and for nurse practitioners. Washington leads for LPNs at $83,900.
| State | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|
| California | $150,280 |
| Hawaii | $124,340 |
| Oregon | $123,140 |
| Washington | $121,540 |
| Massachusetts | $117,960 |
The five states with the highest annual mean wage for registered nurses. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
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. Use the salary to hourly calculator for 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.
LPN vs RN vs Nurse Practitioner Pay
A registered nurse at the median earns $33,150 a year more than an LPN at the median. A nurse practitioner at the median earns $34,750 more than a registered nurse.
| Occupation | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | Mean | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN and LVN (29-2061) | $49,740 | $59,000 | $64,400 | $76,030 | $83,440 | $67,050 | 648,410 |
| Registered nurse (29-1141) | $68,940 | $80,330 | $97,550 | $112,350 | $137,470 | $101,420 | 3,379,720 |
| Nurse practitioner (29-1171) | $101,340 | $117,990 | $132,300 | $156,700 | $174,420 | $137,300 | 323,040 |
Annual wages. Source: BLS OEWS, national estimates, May 2025. Read on 2026-10-02.
The ranges overlap. A registered nurse at the 90th percentile earns $137,470, which is more than the nurse practitioner median of $132,300. An LPN at the 90th percentile earns $83,440, which is above the registered nurse 25th percentile of $80,330.
The step up is a licence change, not a raise. Each step needs more education and a new licence, as the role table above shows.
When to Use the Nurse Salary Calculator
Checking a Job Offer
Enter the offered rate and the unit schedule. The band shows whether the offer is in the lower or upper half of national nurse pay.
Comparing 36 and 40 Hours
Change the hours per week and watch the annual figure. At the registered nurse median of $46.90, 36 hours pays $87,796.80 a year and 40 hours pays $97,552.00.
Planning a Licence Step
Switch the occupation to see how your current rate would rank in the next role. An LPN paid $29.50 an hour is near the 36th percentile for LPNs and below the 10th percentile for registered nurses.
Budgeting After Tax
The result is gross pay. Read the gross vs net income guide and the tax brackets guide before you plan a household budget from it.
Common Mistakes with Nurse Pay Comparisons
1. Comparing a 36-Hour Year with the BLS Annual Wage
BLS annual wages assume 2,080 hours. A nurse on 1,872 hours a year looks underpaid against them. Compare hourly rates, or use the full-time equivalent row.
2. Folding Differentials into the Base Rate
A night rate of 52 dollars built from a 46 dollar base is not a 52 dollar wage. BLS excludes shift differentials. Enter the base rate and put the extra pay in the other pay field.
3. Treating the National Median as a Local Rate
The mean for registered nurses in California is $150,280. The national mean is $101,420. A national figure does not price a local market.
4. Picking the Wrong Role
A nurse practitioner compared with the registered nurse table looks far above the 90th percentile. Choose the code that matches your licence.
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.
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.
- 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 Nurse Pay and Percentiles
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Salaries
How much do registered nurses make an hour?
Registered nurses had a median hourly wage of $46.90 in May 2025, according to BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33.14 an hour and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66.09.
What is the average nurse salary in the United States?
The mean annual wage for registered nurses was $101,420 in May 2025. The median was $97,550. The mean is higher because a small share of very high wages pulls it up.
How much does an RN make working three 12-hour shifts a week?
At the national median rate of $46.90, three 12-hour shifts a week for 52 weeks pay $87,796.80 a year before tax. The same rate over 2,080 hours pays $97,552.00.
Do BLS nurse wages include overtime and night differentials?
No. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay. The survey excludes overtime pay, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses, so a nurse with heavy night or overtime work earns more than the base rate suggests.
How much more does a nurse practitioner earn than a registered nurse?
A nurse practitioner at the median earns $34,750 a year more than a registered nurse at the median. The medians were $132,300 and $97,550 in May 2025.
How much do LPNs make?
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses had a median wage of $30.96 an hour, or $64,400 a year, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $59,000 and $76,030.
Which state pays registered nurses the most?
California pays the most, with an annual mean wage of $150,280 in May 2025. Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Massachusetts follow, each above $117,000.
Which industry pays registered nurses the most?
The federal executive branch has the highest mean wage for registered nurses at $129,260. Outpatient care centers average $112,690.
Why does the calculator not show take-home pay?
Take-home pay depends on your tax filing status, state and deductions, and this tool does not estimate tax. It shows gross pay only, so that every figure can be checked against your offer letter or pay stub.
Does the calculator cover travel nurses and nursing assistants?
It covers registered nurses, LPNs and LVNs, and nurse practitioners. Travel nurses are registered nurses, but stipends are not wages in BLS data. Nursing assistants have a separate BLS code that this page does not use.
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, 29-2061 or 29-1171. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Duties, education, employers and 2025 to 2035 outlook. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read 2026-10-02.)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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.)
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Explore all career calculatorsThis 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.
