Registered Nurse salary in Worcester, MA
Registered Nurses in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $100,240 a year ($48.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,870 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 4% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $104,550. There are 29 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $113,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| 25th percentile | $89,590 | $43.07 |
| Median | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| 75th percentile | $132,390 | $63.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,870 | $81.19 |
| Average (mean) | $113,910 | $54.76 |
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 | $8,353.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,176.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,855.38 |
| Weekly | $1,927.69 |
| Hourly | $48.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,120 | $64.96 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,460 | $48.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Pharmacist | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Physician Assistant | $152,860 | $73.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,320 | $35.73 |
| Dentists, General | $202,110 | $97.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $98,120 | $47.17 |
| Veterinarian | $130,950 | $62.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $229,710 | $110.44 |
| Pediatricians, General | $213,200 | $102.50 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $369,930 | $177.85 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Worcester, MA metro area is $100,240 a year, or $48.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $168,870 a year. The top 25% earn $132,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,940 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $89,590 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Worcester, MA?
About 10,070 registered nurses are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.