RN Salary in New Jersey: $106,500 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in New Jersey earn a median of $106,500 per year — $51.20 an hour — $8,950 above the national median of $97,550, ranking #7 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of New Jersey RNs earn between $83,060 and $135,170. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
New Jersey RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of New Jersey RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare New Jersey With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put New Jersey side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | New Jersey | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $106,500 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $51.20/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $83,060 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $127,730 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $135,170 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 92,680 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
New Jersey has 107 board-approved nursing programs across 99 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 New Jersey?
RNs in New Jersey earn a median of $106,500 per year — $51.20 per hour — $8,950 above the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks New Jersey #7 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in New Jersey?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in New Jersey, the 10th percentile is $83,060 and the 25th percentile is $99,710. Most RNs move toward the $106,500 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in New Jersey earn?
The top 10% of RNs in New Jersey earn above $135,170 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in New Jersey?
92,680 registered nurses are employed in New Jersey per the BLS May 2025 estimates.