Massachusetts Median
$104,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#8 of 51
88,200 employed here
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Massachusetts?
Registered Nurses in Massachusetts take home a median of $104,550 annually — roughly $50.26 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $97,550.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $80,310 while the top 10% make $174,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $87,460 and $136,110 a year.
Registered Nurse salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,310 | $38.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $87,460 | $42.05 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $104,550 | $50.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,110 | $65.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,510 | $83.90 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Registered Nurse salary in other states
California $140,270Hawaii $136,320Oregon $129,010Washington $124,200Alaska $109,480New York $109,440New Jersey $106,500Nevada $103,670Connecticut $102,740District of Columbia $102,540Minnesota $101,510Rhode Island $100,640Colorado $100,260Maryland $99,790New Hampshire $99,700Delaware $99,520Arizona $99,500Vermont $97,460Pennsylvania $96,430Illinois $95,990Texas $95,970Wisconsin $95,530New Mexico $94,340Michigan $94,300Virginia $93,600Georgia $93,550Idaho $92,460Maine $86,990Montana $85,280Nebraska $84,730Utah $84,600North Carolina $84,350Florida $84,190Wyoming $83,760Indiana $83,500Oklahoma $82,920Ohio $82,510South Carolina $82,360Missouri $81,780Tennessee $81,500Kentucky $81,040North Dakota $80,730Louisiana $80,230West Virginia $80,130Kansas $79,320Arkansas $78,940Iowa $78,630South Dakota $78,060Mississippi $77,090Alabama $77,080
Working as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Massachusetts pay ($104,550) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Massachusetts?
The median Registered Nurse salary in Massachusetts is $104,550 per year, or about $50.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,310 at the entry level to $174,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Registered Nurses about 7% more than the national median of $97,550. Massachusetts ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Registered Nurses?
Yes on pay — Massachusetts pays above the national median for this occupation, at $104,550 a year. About 88,200 Registered Nurses are employed in Massachusetts. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Registered Nurse salary report
Related salaries
$82,280
median pay · 140,000 employed
$68,380
median pay · 112,000 employed
$132,300
median pay · 323,000 employed
$65,790
median pay · 35,000 employed
$64,650
median pay · 117,000 employed
$68,020
median pay · 38,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.