Nurses serve on the front lines of health care. Their work is tough, but fortunately it’s well-compensated. And if you are considering a career as a nurse, the good news is that the industry is growing and the pay tends to be good.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are more than 2.9 million registered nurses across the country, pulling down an average annual wage of $ 77,460. Additionally, there are some 200,000 nurse practitioners, earning an average of $ 111,840, and some 697,000 licensed practical and vocational nurses, earning an average of $ 48,500.
But the pay varies greatly depending on where the nurse practices.
Following are the average annual wages for multiple types of nurses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which is for 2019. The states are ranked based on pay for RNs.
51. South Dakota
South Dakota is one of several states predicted to have a shortage of registered nurses (RNs) by 2030, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency forecasts that the state will be short 1,900 RNs by 2030.
South Dakota is also among the majority of states forecast to have a shortage of licensed practical nurses by 2030, the report found.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 59,540
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 102,230
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 38,760
50. Mississippi
Nurses aren’t the only front-line workers with relatively low average wages in Mississippi. The state ranks dead last for its average annual wages for elementary-school teachers, for police officers and sheriff’s deputies and even for cashiers, as we have reported.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 59,750
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 110,740
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 39,020
49. Alabama
In Alabama and nationally, nurse practitioners earn more money than multiple other types of nurses, on average. To become an NP, you must first be a registered nurse and also pursue specialized graduate education, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 60,230
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 99,570
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 39,310
48. Iowa
Different types of nurses are most likely to work in different types of health care settings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. RNs most commonly work in hospitals, and NPs in physicians’ offices. Meanwhile, licensed practical and vocational nurses most often work in nursing care facilities, also referred to as skilled nursing facilities.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 60,590
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 109,910
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 44,220
47. Arkansas
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 61,330
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,840
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 40,760
46. Kansas
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 62,450
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 100,550
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 44,260
45. Tennessee
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 62,570
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 96,510
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 41,270
44. West Virginia
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 63,220
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 103,170
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 37,500
43. Kentucky
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 63,750
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 99,560
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 42,740
42. Missouri
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 64,160
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,050
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 43,410
41. Oklahoma
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 64,800
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 113,200
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 42,090
40. South Carolina
South Carolina is one of seven states projected to have a shortage of registered nurses by 2030, according to the report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency forecasts the Palmetto State will be short 10,400 RNs by that year.
South Carolina is also among the majority of states forecast to have a shortage of licensed practical nurses by 2030, the report found.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 64,840
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 100,680
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 42,190
39. Louisiana
Louisiana is home to more than 19,000 licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consequently, Louisiana has a higher concentration of this type of nursing job than any other state in the nation.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 65,850
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 106,240
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 40,300
38. North Dakota
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 66,290
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 110,950
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,760
37. North Carolina
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 66,440
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,890
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 45,880
36. Indiana
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 66,560
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 106,380
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,050
35. Nebraska
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 66,640
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,450
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 44,450
34. Florida
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 67,610
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 101,510
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 45,580
33. Utah
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 67,970
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,240
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 49,660
32. Ohio
Ohio is home to the Cleveland Clinic — which U.S. News & World Report ranks as the nation’s No. 2 hospital overall, and the No. 1 specialty hospital for cardiology and heart surgery, as we report in “The 20 Highest-Ranked U.S. Hospitals in 2020.”
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 68,220
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 103,780
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 45,020
31. Wyoming
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 68,690
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 118,110
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,980
30. Montana
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 69,340
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 109,120
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 44,730
29. Idaho
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 69,480
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 110,860
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,430
28. Georgia
Georgia is one of several states predicted to have a shortage of registered nurses by 2030, according to an analysis from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency forecasts that the Peach State will be short 2,200 RNs by that time.
Georgia is also among the majority of states forecast to have a shortage of licensed practical nurses by 2030, the analysis found. The state is projected to be short 10,500 LPNs by that year.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 69,590
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,670
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 42,570
27. Maine
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 69,760
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 106,960
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,930
26. Vermont
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 70,240
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 105,840
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 50,210
25. Pennsylvania
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 71,410
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 101,950
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 49,200
24. Virginia
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 71,870
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 109,110
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,070
23. Wisconsin
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 72,610
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 112,130
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 46,550
22. Michigan
University of Michigan Hospitals-Michigan Medicine ranks among the top 20 hospitals in the United States. Like the University of Michigan itself, the hospital is located in the city of Ann Arbor.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 73,200
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 108,660
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 50,300
21. New Mexico
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 73,300
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 111,930
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 48,330
20. Illinois
Chicago is home to two of the top 20 hospitals in the United States — Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center — according to the rankings of U.S. News & World Report.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 73,510
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 107,860
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 53,290
19. New Hampshire
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 73,880
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 110,680
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 54,220
18. Delaware
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 74,100
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 112,430
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 53,520
17. Texas
Texas is one of several states facing a serious shortage of registered nurses by 2030, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s also among the majority of states forecast to have a shortage of licensed practical nurses by 2030.
Additionally, Texas has a larger share of uninsured residents than any other state, as we detail in “16 States With the Worst Rates of Health Insurance.”
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 74,540
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 115,440
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 47,370
16. Colorado
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 76,230
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 106,760
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 53,180
15. Maryland
Baltimore is home to the Johns Hopkins Hospital, which U.S. News & World Report ranks as the top hospital in the country for multiple specialties — from ear, nose and throat care to psychiatry — as we report in “The 20 Highest-Ranked U.S. Hospitals in 2020.” The publication also ranks Johns Hopkins Hospital the No. 3 hospital in the country overall.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 77,910
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 111,800
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 55,020
14. Arizona
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 78,330
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 111,480
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 54,290
13. Minnesota
The city of Rochester, Minnesota, is home to the Mayo Clinic — which U.S. News & World Report ranks as the No. 1 hospital in the nation, as we detail in “The 20 Highest-Ranked U.S. Hospitals in 2020.” The Mayo Clinic also is ranked No. 1 for multiple types of specialty care, from diabetes and endocrinology to pulmonology and lung surgery.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 80,130
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 122,850
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 48,460
12. Rhode Island
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 82,310
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 115,310
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 59,860
11. Connecticut
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 83,440
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 115,140
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 57,380
10. New Jersey
New Jersey is one of seven states expected to have a shortage of registered nurses by 2030, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency predicts that the state will be short a whopping 11,400 RNs in about a decade.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 84,280
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 123,810
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 57,510
9. Washington
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 86,170
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 126,920
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 57,940
8. New York
Nurses aren’t the only front-line workers with relatively high average wages in New York. The state ranks No. 1 for its wages for grade-school teachers, as we report in “Here’s How Much Teachers Are Paid in Every State.”
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 87,840
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 122,550
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 49,860
7. Nevada
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 88,380
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 115,970
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 58,470
6. Alaska
Alaska is one of seven states facing a shortage of registered nurses in the near future, according to the report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency forecasts that by 2030, the state will be short 5,400 registered nurses.
Alaska is also among the majority of states forecast to have a shortage of licensed practical nurses by 2030, the report found.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 90,500
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 115,890
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 63,850
5. Oregon
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 92,960
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 113,430
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 54,740
4. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a larger share of insured residents than any other state in the country, as we detail in “15 States Where the Most People Have Health Insurance.” A mere 3% of Massachusetts’ population is without insurance.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 93,160
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 122,240
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 60,340
3. District of Columbia
Nurses aren’t the only front-line workers with relatively high average wages in Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital ranks No. 1 — beating out all 50 states — based on its pay for the heroes behind cash registers, as we report in “How Much Cashiers Earn in Every State.”
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 94,820
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 111,950
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 54,220
2. Hawaii
U.S. News & World Report named Hawaii the No. 1 state for health care in general. In the analysis, Hawaii leads the nation in health care quality, is third for health care access and fourth for public health.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 104,060
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 124,000
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 51,010
1. California
California may pay its nurses well, but it is one of seven states forecast to have a shortage of registered nurses by 2030, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal agency predicts that the state will be short 44,500 full-time RN jobs — far more than any other state — by that year.
Average annual wage for a registered nurse: $ 113,240
Average annual wage for a nurse practitioner: $ 138,660
Average annual wage for a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse: $ 60,240
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