New Grad RN Salary by State (2026)
What new grad RNs earn by state. Top, bottom, why the spread.
New grad salaries vary widely. Geography matters more than school.
Top-paying states for new grads
California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New York, Alaska, New Jersey. Range $75K-110K starting.
Low-paying states
South Dakota, Iowa, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky. Range $55K-70K starting.
Why the spread
Cost of living. Unionization (California). Demand. Hospital market structure.
Cost-of-living adjustment
California $90K and Texas $70K can be comparable in buying power. Pay alone misleads.
Frequently asked
Worth relocating for higher pay?
If you don't have ties, yes, early-career moves have big lifetime impact.
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