Registered Nurse Salary in New Jersey (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Registered Nurses in New Jersey, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$106,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$51.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#7 of 51
92,680 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in New Jersey?

A Registered Nurse working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $106,500 per year, or about $51.20 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $83,060 while the top 10% make $135,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,710 and $127,730 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,060$39.93
25th percentile (early career)$99,710$47.94
50th percentile (median)$106,500$51.20
75th percentile (experienced)$127,730$61.41
90th percentile (top earners)$135,170$64.99

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($106,500) 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 New Jersey?
The median Registered Nurse salary in New Jersey is $106,500 per year, or about $51.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,060 at the entry level to $135,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Registered Nurses about 9% more than the national median of $97,550. New Jersey ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Registered Nurses?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $106,500 a year. About 92,680 Registered Nurses are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Registered Nurse salary report

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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.