What is the average salary for a new graduate nurse? This is one of the most commonly asked questions when someone thinks about becoming one, but don’t know much about the nursing career field. In the United States, an RN that has recently graduated can expect to earn around $38,000 a year. Nurses with five to eight years of experience can build their salary to over $60,000 a year.
The average salary for a new graduate nurse is $51,000.
Average salary for a new graduate nurse
As a new nursing graduate, you’re looking forward to beginning your career as a nurse. And, in addition to the skills and knowledge you learned in school and clinical rotations, you’re eager to start earning a salary. But how much can you expect for your first year of work? Does the amount vary by state? To answer these questions, we analyzed U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2018—the most recent year available—and found that the median annual salary for new graduates is $71,926 across the country. We also looked at state-level data on salaries for nurses with less than one year of experience and found that while wages are generally higher on the coasts and lower in the Midwest, there are some outliers when it comes to which states pay highest: New York ($116,000), Alaska ($90,000), Washington ($89,000), Delaware ($85,000), California ($85,000), and Massachusetts ($82,000). On average nationwide though—so if you live where salaries aren’t as high—you should be able to take home about $71K per year once you start working full time.
Salary by state
The average wage for a new nurse varies greatly by state. In general, the states with the highest wages are located in the Northeast. States in the South tend to offer lower salaries, while those on the West Coast and in Alaska also pay less than average.
Working as an RN is one of the most lucrative career paths available to new grads. The best paying states include:
- California – $71,000
- Massachusetts – $70,000
- New York – $68,000 (tie)
- Connecticut – $64,000 (tie)
The worst paying states include:
- Alabama – $45,000
- Mississippi – $38,000 (tie)
The average annual salary for new nursing graduates across the country is $71,926.
The average annual salary for new nursing graduates across the country is $71,926. That number may seem like a lot of money to you, but in reality, it isn’t that much at all. The top 10% of all new nursing graduates make about $89,939. On the other hand, if you are one of those who are not quite so lucky and earn less than the average or even fail to make it into the top 10%, then your average annual salary will be closer to $56,407.
New York – $116,000 per year
For example, the average salary for a new graduate nurse in New York is $116,000 per year. This means that half of all new graduates make more and half make less than this amount. Median salary for a new graduate nurse in New York is $76,000, which means that half of all new graduates make more than this amount and half make less than this amount.
Alaska – $90,000 per year
Alaska has a high cost of living, so this salary won’t go as far as you might think. It’s also important to note that Alaska has a low unemployment rate and a relatively high cost of living when compared to other states.
Washington – $89,000 per year
The average salary for a new graduate nurse in Washington is $89,000 per year. That’s more than any other state in the country—and it’s more than $5,000 higher than the national average. In fact, this number is so high that even after factoring in cost-of-living adjustments, Washington still has the highest average salary for new graduates (adjusted down to $82,000).
Delaware – $85,000 per year
Delaware is a great place to find work as a nurse. The state has a small population and is in the top 10 states with lowest cost of living, making it an attractive option for people looking to relocate. There are many opportunities for nurses in Delaware, and the average annual salary is $85,000 per year.
The state’s small size makes it easy for new graduates to make connections within their field by networking with other healthcare professionals who might be looking for someone with their skill set. It also means that there will likely be less competition when applying for jobs.
Nurses who want to move from California or Ohio will find themselves saving money on rent and utilities because of Delaware’s low cost of living compared with those states.
California – $85,000 per year
California is a large state with a large population and economy. It has more hospitals than any other state, and many of these hospitals have new graduate nursing programs. California also has plenty of jobs available for nurses, including those who are just starting out their careers. In fact, California ranks second in the U.S. for employment opportunities in all types of health care facilities (excluding doctors’ offices).
Massachusetts – $82,000 per year
Massachusetts is a high-paying state for new nurses. The average salary for Massachusetts is $82,000 per year and the average salary for a new graduate nurse is $71,926 per year.
The average salary for a new graduate nurse in the United States is $64,844 per year.
Hawaii – $80,000 per year
If you’re looking to become a nurse and live in paradise, consider Hawaii. As the only state that doesn’t require licenses or certifications for nurses, it’s easy to get started working as one there. The average cost of living in Hawaii is much higher than other states – so don’t be surprised if your paycheck comes out looking smaller than what you’d expect! You may not earn as much as a nurse elsewhere, but with the beautiful weather and constant sunshine that comes with life on this island chain, it’s hard not to feel like your career choice was worth it.
District of Columbia – $79,000 per year
The average salary for a new graduate nurse in District of Columbia is $79,000 per year. The average salary for nurses with 5 years experience is $80,000 per year. The average salary for nurses with 10 years experience is $82,000 per year. The average salary for nurses with 15 years experience is $86,000 per year. And the average salary for a nurse with 20 years experience is $88,000 per year.
Maryland – $76,000 per year
If you’re not familiar with Maryland, it’s a great place to work. It has a large population and economy, as well as a diverse economy. The cost of living is high for the state, but the tax rate is low.
Salaries vary widely by state.
The average salary for a new graduate nurse will vary widely by state, city, employer, experience level and a host of other factors. On the low end of the spectrum:
- New Jersey – $62k/year
- Massachusetts – $59k/year
- Rhode Island – $57k/year
On the high end (as of 2017):
- California – $69k/year (Los Angeles)
- Hawaii – $66k/year (Honolulu)
Conclusion
We hope that you found this article useful and informative! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at info@nursingschoolsalary.com.
