Registered Nurses Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Registered Nurses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $102,440 a year, or about $49.25 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $94,615 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $102K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About registered nurses
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level registered nurses (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K.Top earners bring in $177K or more - a $99K spread from bottom to top.
Registered Nurses pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $140K | +50% | 326,720 |
| Hawaii | $136K | +46% | 13,100 |
| Oregon | $124K | +32% | 39,900 |
| Washington | $112K | +20% | 64,690 |
| Alaska | $111K | +18% | 7,040 |
| New York | $106K | +13% | 204,120 |
| District of Columbia | $105K | +12% | 9,790 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +10% | 95,150 |
| Nevada | $102K | +9% | 27,570 |
| Massachusetts | $102K | +9% | 90,190 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +9% | 39,020 |
| Minnesota | $101K | +8% | 64,740 |
| Rhode Island | $100K | +7% | 10,760 |
| Arizona | $97K | +4% | 64,430 |
| Maryland | $97K | +3% | 48,980 |
Track registered nurses salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do registered nurses make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $102,440 a year - that works out to about $49.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,910, and experienced registered nurses can clear $177,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,278/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a registered nurses salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median registered nurses salary is worth about $94,615 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do registered nurses get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.