#45 · Healthcare

Registered nurses Salary

BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $93,600 ($45.00/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 29-1141. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

BLS national median · SOC 29-1141

$93,600

$45.00/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr

Texas take-home at median

$74,678

20.2% effective

California take-home at median

$68,970

26.3% effective

Key takeaways — RNs

Registered nurses ranks #45 of 92 on this hub with a $93,600 BLS May 2024 national median ($45.00/hr).
Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $74,678 (20.2% effective employee levy rate). California: $68,970.
One rank above: Dental hygienists at $94,260 (+$660).
Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.

About Registered nurses wages

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Registered nurses (SOC 29-1141), the national median annual wage is $93,600 — meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less across the United States.

We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.

Use the compare tool to pit RNs against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.

Healthcare · rank context

RNs sits at rank #45 between Dental hygienists (#44, $94,260) and Linemen (#46, $92,560).

Training & licensing context

Most healthcare rows require licensed clinical training — med school, nursing programs, or advanced practice degrees. Compare medians against years in school and residency before judging ROI.

Take-home at BLS median by state

Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.

State	Take-home	Effective rate	Calculator
Texas	$74,678	20.2%	Open
California	$68,970	26.3%	Open
New York	$70,164	25.0%	Open
Florida	$74,678	20.2%	Open

Model $93,600 in calculator BLS OEWS source

Myths vs facts

Myth: Every RNs job pays the BLS median.

Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.

Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.

Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.

Salary planning checklist

Confirm the posting matches SOC 29-1141 (Registered nurses)
Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator