Nursing Careers and salaries

Salary Outlook
The BLS reports the median salary for a registered nurse was $66, 220 in 2013. The best-paid 10 percent of RNs made more than $96, 320, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $45, 630. The highest-paid RN positions are clustered in California, including the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, San Jose and Vallejo.
Job Salary | Year |
---|---|
2004 | $54, 020 |
2006 | $59, 710 |
2008 | $65, 220 |
2010 | $67, 720 |
2012 | $67, 930 |
Average Registered Nurse Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
In 2013, registered nurses made an average salary of $68, 910, which is pretty good pay compared with some of the other health care professions on this year’s Best Jobs list. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses usually bring home smaller paychecks (, 910). But RNs made less money than both occupational therapists (, 890), and physical therapists (, 180). However, RNs have many options for advancement and a salary increase. With further education, RNs can become nurse practitioners and bring home an average salary of around $95, 070.
Job Name | Salary |
---|---|
Physical Therapist | $81, 030 |
Occupational Therapist | $75, 400 |
Registered Nurse |
Best Paying Cities for Registered Nurses
The highest paid in the registered nurse profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, California, Oakland, California, and Sacramento, California. The San Francisco area also pays well, as does the city of Vallejo, California.
The average salary of a registered nurse working in San Jose, California is $123, 190.
The average salary of a registered nurse working in Oakland, California is $121, 040.
The average salary of a registered nurse working in Sacramento, California is $108, 340.


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