Registered Nurses
SOC code 29-1141 · O*NET-SOC 29-1141.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation
Nursing is the largest licensed profession in US healthcare, with entry through an associate degree, a bachelor's degree or an approved diploma program plus the national licensing exam. The wide pay range reflects shift differentials, specialities and overtime more than almost any other factor.
Registered Nurses pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$97,550
a year
Hourly
$46.90
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$101,420
$48.76 per hour
Middle 50%
$80,330 – $112,350
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$68,940 – $137,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,379,720
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $68,940
- $33.14/hr
- 25th percentile
- $80,330
- $38.62/hr
- Median percentile
- $97,550
- $46.90/hr
- 75th percentile
- $112,350
- $54.02/hr
- 90th percentile
- $137,470
- $66.09/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
3,391,000
jobs in 2024
3,557,100
projected for 2034
About 166,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a registered nurs do?
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
How to become a registered nurs
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 56% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree56%
- Post-Secondary Certificate23%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree19%
- Master's Degree1%
Common questions
How much does a registered nurs earn?
The national median is $97,550 a year. The full range runs from $68,940 at the 10th percentile to $137,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a registered nurs without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is registered nurs in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Psychology4.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.4/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.