Registered Nurse — Job Market — United States

Salary data, skills requirements, and demand insights for Registered Nurse roles — United States.

Powered by real market data for Registered Nurse roles — United States
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
Registered Nurse — Job Market — United States

As of 2026, the Registered Nurse job market (United States) offers a salary range of $60,915 to $109,647, with a mid-career average of $81,220. The field shows 6% projected growth and approximately 193,100 annual openings. Employers typically seek candidates with Bachelor's degree and 1-5 years of experience, prioritizing skills such as Patient Care, Clinical Assessment, Medication Administration, Electronic Health Records, CPR/BLS. Use our free resume test to see how you compare to the typical candidate profile.

Market Overview

193,100 annual job openings (U.S.)
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
$81,220 avg. annual salary
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Outlook: 6
10-year projection

Typical Candidate Profile

1-5 experience
Typical for this role
Bachelor's degree
Most common education

Most requested skills:

Patient Care Clinical Assessment Medication Administration Electronic Health Records CPR/BLS

Common certifications:

RN License BLS ACLS PALS
Based on U.S. occupation data (O*NET)

Salary Range

$60,915
Entry
$81,220
Mid-Level
$109,647
Senior
Based on U.S. national data (BLS)

Skills Employers Look For

According to job market data for Registered Nurse positions (United States), employers typically prioritize the following skills and qualifications.

Most valued skills
Patient Care Clinical Assessment Medication Administration Critical Thinking IV Therapy Wound Care Team Collaboration
Additional skills that give candidates an edge
Electronic Health Records CPR/BLS follow clinical guidelines develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship Communication Documentation HIPAA

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Registered Nurse in Other Countries

See how the job market compares in different countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Registered Nurse job market — United States.

Based on current market data, Registered Nurse salaries (United States) range from $60,915 (entry-level) to $109,647 (senior), with a mid-career average around $81,220. Actual compensation depends on experience, company size, location, and specialization.

Employers hiring Registered Nurse candidates (United States) prioritize skills such as Patient Care, Clinical Assessment, Medication Administration, Electronic Health Records, CPR/BLS. Valuable certifications include RN License, BLS, ACLS. A strong combination of technical expertise and soft skills will make you more competitive.

The Registered Nurse field (United States) shows 6% projected growth with approximately 193,100 annual openings. A typical mid-career salary is around $81,220. These figures suggest the role offers solid prospects, though individual outcomes depend on qualifications and regional demand.

Employers hiring Registered Nurse professionals (United States) typically expect Bachelor's degree with 1-5 of relevant experience. Use our free resume test to see exactly how you rank against other candidates.

Our Registered Nurse market insights (United States) combine data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), O*NET occupational data, ESCO European skills framework, ILOSTAT international labor statistics, and AI-powered analysis calibrated against these authoritative sources.

To stand out as a Registered Nurse (United States), focus on mastering Patient Care, Clinical Assessment, Medication Administration. Earning certifications like RN License, BLS can further differentiate you. Tailor your resume to highlight these qualifications — our free resume test provides personalized recommendations.
This site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor/ETA. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. | U.S. employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Skills data from ESCO