Nurse Salary Calculator

Estimate a registered nurse’s real take-home pay after federal income tax and FICA, convert an RN salary to an hourly rate, and see how nursing pay compares with other careers.

Estimated net take-home (year)

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Gross annual pay—

Federal income tax—

FICA (Social Security + Medicare)—

Monthly take-home—

Effective hourly rate—

Where your nurse (rn) salary goes

Your take-home versus federal income tax and FICA payroll tax.

Nurse (RN) pay vs other fields

Approximate US median annual wages by occupation (BLS 2024 basis). Your field is highlighted.

Nurse (RN) salary, explained

A nurse salary is the yearly pay a registered nurse (RN) earns providing patient care, administering medication, and coordinating treatment. The median RN in the United States earns about $86,000 a year, but nursing is one of the most location- and specialty-sensitive careers in healthcare. RNs in California, Hawaii, and the Northeast can earn far more, while travel nurses and specialized ICU, ER, and CRNA roles push pay higher still.

Nursing pay is frequently quoted hourly rather than annually because shift work, overtime, night and weekend differentials, and per-diem rates all affect the total. A staff nurse working three 12-hour shifts a week earns very differently from one picking up overtime or a travel contract. This calculator converts an annual RN salary into monthly take-home and an effective hourly rate after federal tax and FICA.

Nurse (RN) pay by experience level

Nurse (RN) pay is not a single number. It grows with experience, credentials, region, and employer. These approximate tiers show the typical range a nurse (rn) can expect across a career:

Entry level (0–2 yrs): $62,000
Median / mid-career: $86,000
Experienced (senior): $105,000
Top 10% earners: $132,000

New graduate nurses start strong compared with many fields, and pay rises quickly with certifications (CCRN, CEN), a BSN or MSN degree, and moving into charge, educator, or advanced-practice roles. Nurse practitioners and CRNAs earn well above the staff-RN median.

The take-home formula

A salary calculator turns your gross pay into the number that actually lands in your bank account. The core formula subtracts federal income tax and FICA payroll tax from gross pay:

gross pay = base salary + extra income
taxable income = gross pay − standard deduction
federal tax = progressive brackets applied to taxable income
FICA = 6.2% Social Security (to wage cap) + 1.45% Medicare
net take-home = gross pay − federal tax − FICA

Worked example

Consider an RN earning $86,000 filing as single. After the $14,600 standard deduction, taxable income is $71,400, producing roughly $10,760 in federal income tax. FICA takes about $6,580. Take-home is around $68,660 a year, close to $5,722 a month. At 36 hours a week that works out to an effective rate of roughly $45.94 an hour gross before shift differentials.

What affects a nurse (rn)'s pay the most?

Specialty and unit: ICU, ER, OR, and labor-and-delivery nurses often earn more than med-surg roles.
Location: California and other high-cost states pay RNs substantially more than the national median.
Shift differentials and overtime: nights, weekends, and extra shifts add meaningfully to annual pay.
Education and certification: a BSN, MSN, or specialty certification raises earning power and opens advanced roles.
Travel vs staff: travel nursing contracts can pay a large premium, though with less stability and more relocation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average registered nurse salary?

The median RN in the US earns about $86,000 a year, though pay ranges from the low $60,000s for new grads to well over $130,000 for experienced nurses in high-paying states and specialties.

How do I convert a nurse salary to an hourly rate?

Divide the annual salary by the hours worked in a year. A nurse earning $86,000 who works 36 hours a week (about 1,872 hours a year) makes roughly $45.94 an hour before differentials.

How much does a nurse take home after taxes?

On an $86,000 salary, a single RN keeps roughly $68,000 after federal income tax and FICA. State tax, retirement contributions, and benefits reduce that further.

Do travel nurses earn more?

Often yes. Travel nurses can earn a significant premium plus housing and meal stipends, but pay varies by contract, season, and location, and the work involves frequent relocation.

What raises a nurse’s salary the fastest?

Moving to a high-paying state, adding a specialty certification, earning a BSN or MSN, picking up overtime and differentials, or advancing to nurse practitioner or CRNA roles.

Are nurse shift differentials taxed?

Yes. Night, weekend, and overtime differentials are ordinary taxable income and are subject to federal income tax and FICA just like base pay.