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Although nurses typically earn a solid income, registered nurse salaries vary widely across the United States, depending on geographic region, employer, education, and certification.

More than 60 percent of registered nurses (RNs) find jobs in hospitals, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Others take positions with physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, educational organizations, extended care homes, and private clinics. The registered nurse salary may also depend on college degree, with bachelor's of science in nursing degree holders earning higher wages than RNs who hold an associate's degree.

Registered Nurse Salary by Region

The median registered nurse salary in 2009, according to the BLS, was $63,750, or $30.65 per hour. The top salary for registered nurses was found in the following states:

• California: $85,080 annual/$40.90 per hour
• Massachusetts: $81,780 annual/$39.32 per hour
• Hawaii: $80,020 annual/$38.47 per hour
• Maryland: $76,330 annual/$36.70 per hour
• New Jersey: $74,990 annual/$36.05 per hour

The top registered nurse salaries by metropolitan area were found in:

• Visalia-Porterville, CA: $111,030 annual/$53.38 per hour
• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $110,080 annual/$52.92 per hour
• San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA: $98,900 annual/$47.55 per hour
• Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA: $97,280 annual/$46.77 per hour
• Sacramento-Arden Arcade-Roseville, CA: $89,770 annual/$43.16 per hour

Advanced practice nurses that pursue graduate degrees can increase their salaries, along with qualifying for specialty or management roles.