Registered Nurse: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Registered Nurses earn a national median of $93,600/yr with 4.9% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Psychology, English Language.
Median Salary
$93,600
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
4.9%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
3,282,010
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Registered Nurse
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Registered Nurse candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Registered Nurse performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Registered Nurse roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 4.9% for Registered Nurse roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 3,282,010
- Projected Growth
- 4.9%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Registered Nurse do?
- Registered Nurses apply expertise in Medicine and Dentistry, Psychology, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking.
- How much does a Registered Nurse make?
- The national median salary for a Registered Nurse is $93,600 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Registered Nurse a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Registered Nurse roles is projected to grow 4.9% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 3,282,010 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Registered Nurse?
- The typical entry-level education for a Registered Nurse is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Registered Nurses need?
- The most important skills for Registered Nurse roles based on verified occupational data: Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Monitoring, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Active Learning. Key tools and technologies include: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Epic Systems, Henry Schein Dentrix, Kronos Workforce Timekeeper, MEDITECH software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.