Registered Nurse pay in the United States: San Jose leads, Jacksonville trails
The United States national median for a registered nurse is US$97,600 a year. Among 21 metros with observed data, pay runs from about US$83,520 in Jacksonville to US$216,740 in San Jose (2.6×).
In BLS OEWS (May 2025), the 10th percentile for the matching occupation is US$68,940 and the 90th is US$137,470 (2×).
San Jose is +122% against the national median and Jacksonville -14%. In between: San Francisco US$186,610, San Diego US$139,520, Los Angeles US$135,560, and Portland US$130,310.
The closest healthcare peer is physical therapist at US$92,000, so a registered nurse earns 6.1% more at the national median in the United States.
Why a United States-median offer can be low in San Jose
San Jose’s observed median is US$216,740, with a local band of about US$124,140–US$235,190. An offer pitched at the national median (US$97,600) would sit 122% under the local midpoint.
Registered Nurse pay in official statistics for the United States
The closest official occupation is Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). In May 2025 its national median was $97,550 a year.
The headline median at the top of this page comes from this same table, rounded to the nearest hundred.
The published 10th and 90th percentiles are $68,940 and $137,470, a 2× spread.
BLS estimates 3,379,720 jobs in this occupation nationwide.
51 states have a published figure. California is highest at $140,270 (+44% vs national) and Alabama lowest at $77,080, a 1.82× gap.
18 of the 51 pay above the national median; the next highest after California are Hawaii ($136,320) and Oregon ($129,010).
National figures, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), May 2025
Among the 27 careers we cover, this one ranks 21st by national median, in the bottom quarter. Just above it is Civil Engineer (US$98,000, 0% more). Just below is Frontend Developer (US$92,700).
Within healthcare, Dentist (US$215,000) and Pharmacist (US$130,000) pay more, while Physical Therapist (US$92,000) pays less.
Registered Nurse take-home pay in the United States (estimate)
Using our take-home calculator for the United States, the US$97,600 median loses income tax US$12,642, Social Security US$6,051 and Medicare US$1,415, leaving US$77,492 a year or US$6,458 a month. Total deductions: 21% of gross.
At the published 10th percentile from BLS OEWS (May 2025) (US$68,940) deductions are 17%; at the 90th (US$137,470) they reach 23%, leaving US$8,769 a month.
The United States: prices, jobs and holidays
Consumer prices in the United States rose 2.9% in 2024 (World Bank). Matching that on the US$97,600 median takes a raise of about US$2,830.
Unemployment was 4.2% of the labour force in 2025.
The United States has 14 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about US$375 before tax.