What city pays nurses the most after cost of living in 2026?

Based on BLS OEWS wage data adjusted by C2ER cost-of-living indices, mid-size Sun Belt and Mountain West cities consistently lead COL-adjusted rankings because their nursing wages remain competitive while housing and living costs stay below coastal levels.

How is the COL-adjusted nursing salary calculated?

We divide the BLS OEWS mean annual wage for RNs in each metro by the city's C2ER MERIC composite index expressed as a decimal (e.g., a 110.0 index becomes 1.10). Formula: COL-adjusted salary = nominal salary ÷ (COL index ÷ 100).

What is the median nursing salary in the US in 2026?

The national median annual wage for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) is $86,070, and the mean is $94,480, based on BLS OEWS May 2024 data — the most recent federal release available as of April 2026.

Why do some high-salary cities rank low after COL adjustment?

High nominal wages in cities like San Francisco and New York are partially or fully offset by cost-of-living indices exceeding 140–175. A nurse earning $110,000 in NYC faces roughly the same purchasing power as a nurse earning ~$88,000 in a median-cost city.

How does NurseWala calculate city-level COL-adjusted salaries?

We source BLS OEWS metro-area wage data for each nursing role, then apply C2ER MERIC composite indices for that city's metro area. Wages are adjusted at the CBSA level for maximum accuracy.

Which nursing specialty has the highest national salary?

CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) lead all nursing roles at a national mean of $214,600. Nurse Practitioners follow at $126,260.

Does this report include travel nursing pay?

No — BLS OEWS collects permanent-staff wages reported by employers, so agency contracts and travel stipends are excluded. Travel nurse all-in compensation typically runs 25–50% higher than staff pay.

Nursing Salary Report — COL-Adjusted Pay, 500 US Cities

Nursing salary report with COL-adjusted RN pay across 500 US cities. Top 25 and bottom 25 cities by purchasing power, state rankings, and pay by specialty