The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) last week released data on how much RNs are paid in each state as part of its latest occupational employment statistics survey.

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About the BLS report

According to BLS, the data includes clinical nurse specialists but excludes nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.

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The survey attempted to reflect employment and salaries as of May 2020. According to BLS, however, the Covid-19 epidemic may have skewed the statistics for several reasons, including that the report incorporates data from survey panels conducted before Covid-19 emerged and that the epidemic led to lower-than-usual survey response rates.

The states with the highest average annual wage for RNs

In its report, BLS found the average annual wage for RNs was $80,101 as of May 2020, while the average hourly wage was $38.47.

BLS found the five states with the highest average annual wage for RNs were:

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1. California ($120,560);
2. Hawaii ($104,830);
3. Massachusetts ($96,250);
4. Oregon ($96,230); and
5. Alaska ($95,270).

Meanwhile, BLS found the five states with the lowest annual wage for RNs were:

51. Alabama ($60,230);
52. South Dakota ($60,960);
53. Mississippi ($61,250);
54. Iowa ($62,570); and
55. Arkansas ($63,640).

(Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, accessed 4/6; Gooch, Becker's Hospital Review, 4/2; Bureau of Labor Statistics press release).