Registered Nurse salary in Tucson, AZ
Registered Nurses in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $94,110 a year ($45.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,540 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 5% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $99,500. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| 25th percentile | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Median | $94,110 | $45.25 |
| 75th percentile | $104,720 | $50.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,540 | $61.80 |
| Average (mean) | $95,800 | $46.06 |
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 | $7,842.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,921.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,619.62 |
| Weekly | $1,809.81 |
| Hourly | $45.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $104,980 | 1,510 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $100,830 | 53,700 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $100,780 | 1,570 |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,320 | 1,640 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $93,990 | 1,290 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $85,380 | 560 |
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 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $147,420 | $70.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $357,070 | $171.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,450 | $45.89 |
| Dentists, General | $182,200 | $87.59 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $264,320 | $127.08 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $227,940 | $109.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Veterinarian | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $94,110 a year, or $45.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $128,540 a year. The top 25% earn $104,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,880 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,290 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Tucson, AZ?
About 10,120 registered nurses are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.