Registered Nurse salary in Massachusetts
Registered Nurses in Massachusetts earn a median of $104,550 a year ($50.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 88,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,510 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $97,550. Massachusetts ranks 8th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 24 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $117,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,310 | $38.61 |
| 25th percentile | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Median | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| 75th percentile | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,510 | $83.90 |
| Average (mean) | $117,960 | $56.71 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,712.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,356.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,021.15 |
| Weekly | $2,010.58 |
| Hourly | $50.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,180 | 64,240 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $104,950 | 1,230 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $103,380 | 1,860 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $101,270 | 1,150 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,240 | 10,070 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $99,880 | 15,180 |
| Springfield, MA | $98,410 | 5,830 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Veterinarian | $140,260 | $67.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for registered nurses in Massachusetts is $104,550 a year, or $50.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Massachusetts earn at least $174,510 a year. The top 25% earn $136,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,310 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $87,460 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Massachusetts?
About 88,200 registered nurses are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.