RN Salary in Massachusetts: $104,550 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Massachusetts earn a median of $104,550 per year — $50.27 an hour — $7,000 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #8 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Massachusetts RNs earn between $80,310 and $174,510. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Massachusetts RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Massachusetts RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Massachusetts With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Massachusetts side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Massachusetts | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $104,550 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $50.27/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $80,310 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $136,110 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $174,510 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 88,200 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Massachusetts has 87 board-approved nursing programs across 74 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Massachusetts?
RNs in Massachusetts earn a median of $104,550 per year — $50.27 per hour — $7,000 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Massachusetts #8 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Massachusetts?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Massachusetts, the 10th percentile is $80,310 and the 25th percentile is $87,460. Most RNs move toward the $104,550 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Massachusetts earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Massachusetts earn above $174,510 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Massachusetts?
88,200 registered nurses are employed in Massachusetts per the BLS May 2025 estimates.