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How Much Do Nurses Make in the U.S.?

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jun 23,2025 03:59 PM IST

A certified registered nurse anesthetist is the highest-paid nurse in the USA, with a salary of $220,000 per year.
The average salary of a nurse in the USA is $96,000 per year.
The highest-paying US states for nurses in 2025 are California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

How Much Do Nurses Make in the US.webp

Do you also think, “How much is the salary of a nurse in the USA?”. If yes, then you are not alone. Being one of the noblest professions in the world, it's natural to wonder how much the world’s largest superpower (USA) pays for it. A high salary, flexible schedule, career advancement opportunities, and overtime payments are some of the perks of being a nurse in the USA.

There are three categories of nurses in the USA, depending on their qualifications, they are registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and licensed practical nurses. The more critical tasks they handle, the higher their salary is. If you want to know how much the top-paying nurses earn in the US, stay with us till the end.

Benefits of Pursuing Nursing in USA

Before knowing about the salary of nurses in the USA, let’s see how pursuing nursing in the USA can be advantageous for your career:

1. High Job Demand: The aging population in the USA and an increase in chronic diseases have led to an increased demand for nurses across the USA.

2. Competitive Salary: Continuing the above point, the high demand for nurses in the USA is also compensated by a high salary. The salary of nurses in the USA goes up to $220,000 per year.

3. Flexible Work Schedules: Nurses are not required to be available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 days a week. Depending on the employer, they can work on a part-time or an on-call basis.

4. Professional Growth Opportunities: The career of a nurse is not limited to being merely a registered nurse. They can pursue master’s programs and apply for senior roles that pay even more.

5. Multiple Paths to Becoming a Nurse: Unlike other careers, there are many ways to become a nurse. The three most common paths to becoming a nurse are a diploma program, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

Registered Nurse Salary in 2025

Since you have come here to know about the salary of nurses in the USA, let’s talk about that now. The pay out of this high-demand profession is really lucrative in the US. The average salary of a registered nurse in the US is $94,480 per annum or $45.42 per hour. They usually pursue an associate degree in nursing to attain the knowledge required for the role.

The salary of registered nurses varies depending on the state in which they are working. In the following table, you can see the annual salary of registered nurses in the USA for different states along with their hourly rates:

State	Average Hourly Salary (USD)	Average Hourly Salary (USD)
California	$66.20	$137,690
Hawaii	$57.55	$119,710
Oregon	$54.54	$113,440
Massachusetts	$52.33	$108,850
Alaska	$52.51	$109,210
New York	$51.26	$106,620
New York	$43.37	$90,210
Florida	$40.75	$84,760
Illinois	$42.14	$87,650
Pennsylvania	$42.08	$87,530

Licensed Practical Nurse Salary

A licensed practical nurse works under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse (RN) and provides basic patient care such as changing bandages and recording patient issues. The average salary of a licensed practical nurse in the USA is $64,150 per year.

The nursing salary in the USA varies depending on the state you are working in. In the following table, you can see the salaries of licensed practical nurses in different US states:

State	Average Hourly Salary (USD)	Average Annual Salary (USD)
California	$36.82	$76,580
Rhode Island	$36.28	$76,580
Washington	$36.26	$75,410
Alaska	$35.70	$74,260
Massachusetts	$35.29	$73,400
New Hampshire	$34.51	$71,770
Oregon	$34.22	$71,180
Connecticut	$32.76	$68,150
District of Columbia	$32.75	$68,120
Arizona	$32.08	$66,720

Nurse Practitioner Salary

A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides direct patient care, including diagnosis and treatment. To become a nurse practitioner, one pursues a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. An NP works in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, urgent care centres, and nursing homes.

The average annual salary of a nurse practitioner in the US is $135,630. However, it can change according to the state they work in. The following table illustrates the US states where nurse practitioner earns the highest income:

State	Average Hourly Salary (USD)	Average Annual Salary (USD)
California	$77.66	$161,540
Nevada	$71.48	$148,670
Washington	$69.90	$145,400
New Jersey	$69.73	$145,030
Oregon	$69.69	$144,950
Massachusetts	$69.24	$144,950
New York	$68.67	$142,830
Connecticut	$65.86	$136,980
New Mexico	$65.76	$136,770
Minnesota	$64.91	$135,010

Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in 2025

International students can choose from many high-paying nursing careers. Here are some of the most well-paid nurses in the USA in 2025:

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: The highest-salaried nurse in the US is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who earns up to $220,000 annually. They are highly specialized in anesthesia administration.

2. Nurse Practitioner: A nurse practitioner (NP) or a practitioner nurse is a registered nurse who performs functions including prescribing medications, taking medical histories, and counselling patients. A nurse practitioner earns an average of $132,000 per year.

3. Clinical Nurse Specialist: A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse, often with a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. They provide comprehensive care to patients, such as diagnosis, management, and treatment. As a CNS, you can get a salary in the range of $95,000 to $125,000 per year.

4. Nurse Midwife: As the name suggests, a certified nurse midwife (CNM) is responsible for providing complete care to women from adolescence to menopause. As a nurse midwife, you can earn between $80,500 and $169,379 per annum.

Conclusion

Nursing is not only a high-paying profession in the USA but also one which provides job security, work-life balance, and growth opportunities. International students who want to pursue nursing in the USA can choose from many lucrative nursing roles, such as certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, and more. Also, it’s not just females, but even the salaries of male nurses in the USA are attractive too, which compels study abroad aspirants to pursue nursing in the country. If you also want to pursue nursing in the USA, connect with canam study abroad experts to know about the best nursing programs in America.

FAQ

What is the highest-paid nurse in the US?

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is the highest-paying nurse in the US, with an average salary of $220,000 per year.

Do nurses live comfortably in the USA?

Yes, nurses in the US make enough money to live comfortably.

How much does a US nurse earn?

The average salary of a nurse in the US is $43.85 per hour or $91,208 per year.

Is nursing a good career in the USA?

Yes, it's one of the best jobs in the USA, considering the benefits attached to it, like a higher salary, huge demand, and job security.

Which state pays more for nurses in the USA?

The states that pay the most to nurses in the USA are California, Oregon, and Hawaii.

What is the monthly salary of a staff nurse in the USA?

The average monthly salary of a staff nurse in the USA is $7,400 to $7,900 (before taxes).

At what age do nurses retire in the USA?

Most nurses in the U.S. retire between the ages of 62 and 65.

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