Registered Nurses Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Registered Nurses occupation accounted for over 3.1 million jobs in the United States, reflecting an increase of 0.8% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $89,010, and the median wage was $81,220. Compared to the national average for all occupations, the wages for this occupation were higher by 43.8%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among industry sectors, Health Care and Social Assistance held the largest number of jobs for the Registered Nurses occupation, employing over 2.6 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sector was $88,370, with a median wage of $80,880. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 0.1% to -0.7%, indicating industry sector wages lagged national wage trends.

Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) accounted for a substantial employment share for this occupation, with 163 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $95,600, and the median wage was $92,310. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 8.5% to 7.4%.

The Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 128 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $107,530 and the median wage was $97,580. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -3.5% to 20.8%.

Highest Location Concentration

When we examine the top locations in terms of proportional employment within the Registered Nurses occupation, we find that Rochester, MN had the highest concentration of jobs (2.8 times the national occupational employment share). The location had an annual mean wage in 2022, at $90,060, and a median wage of $83,490. The location variance to the national average was 1.2%. Sioux Falls, SD had the next highest concentration of jobs (2.2 times the national occupational employment share) and an annual mean wage of $62,780 and a median wage of $62,810. The industry variance to the national average was -29.5%. Greenville, NC had 2.1 times the national occupational employment share and an annual mean wage of $75,640 and a median wage of $73,140. The industry variance to the national average was -15%.

Summary

In 2022, the occupation of Registered Nurses saw a modest increase of 0.8%, totaling over 3.1 million jobs in the United States. The annual mean wage for Registered Nurses in 2022 was $89,010, with a median wage of $81,220, significantly surpassing the national average for all occupations by 43.8%. Among industry sectors, Health Care and Social Assistance employed the largest number of Registered Nurses, with over 2.6 million individuals in 2022. However, the wages in this sector, with an annual mean of $88,370 and a median of $80,880, remained slightly below the national average. Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals, played a substantial role in employing Registered Nurses, with 163,000 jobs in 2022, featuring an annual mean wage of $95,600 and a median wage of $92,310. The Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector also showed considerable employment, with approximately 128,000 nurses in 2022, although wages in this sector increased to 20.8% above the national average compared to 2021. In terms of location concentration, Rochester, MN had the highest proportion of jobs, at 2.8 times the national occupational employment share, with wages close to the national average. Sioux Falls, SD, and Greenville, NC, also exhibited significant job concentrations, although wages in these locations varied from well below to slightly below the national average.

For more detailed insights, visit our Registered Nurses Dashboard or consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Registered Nurses Occupation Report.