Overview
SourcedAssess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
O*NET definition of Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 29-1141, including Correctional Nurse, School Nurse, VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs).
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) naming each level as required to be hired, 28 respondents, O*NET survey August 2021. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedRegistered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Registered Nurses”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 29-1141
- None
- Job zone
- Considerable Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 101,140 | $94,330 | $106,160 | $121,240 | $144,020 | $174,640 |
| State | 157,270 | $70,990 | $83,050 | $102,440 | $133,190 | $169,920 |
| Local | 279,580 | $61,540 | $75,430 | $85,420 | $105,790 | $132,100 |
| All government | 537,990 | $66,250 | $80,610 | $100,490 | $126,170 | $158,130 |
| Private sector | 2,841,730 | $69,970 | $80,290 | $97,170 | $109,680 | $135,200 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Public Health Nurse in 13 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| California | Public Health Nurse I–II, Public Health Nurse I, Correctional Facility, Public Health Nurse I, Departments of Mental Health and Developmental Services, Public Health Nurse II, Correctional Facility 5 classes · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) | $89,136 – $177,144 |
| Florida | Community Health Nurse, Senior Community Health Nurse 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management | $34,760 – $83,175 |
| Georgia | PH Registered Nurse 1–3, PH Registered Nurse 1 Non Exempt, PH Registered Nurse 2 Non Exempt, PH Registered Nurse 3 Non Exempt 6 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation | $44,999 – $91,044 |
| Indiana | Public Health Nurse Specialist 1 class · Indiana State Personnel Department | $53,222 – $79,846 |
| Maine | Public Health Nurse I–II 2 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources | $53,789 – $79,331 |
| Nebraska | Community Health Nurse/Senior 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division | $71,022 – $104,695 |
| Nevada | Community Health Nurse I–IV 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) | $73,748 – $144,782 |
| Ohio | Public Health Nurse Specialist 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation | $67,995 – $95,098 |
| Oregon | Public Health Nurse 1–2 | $68,568 – $143,124 |
| Pennsylvania | Community Health Nurse 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration | $69,086 – $111,956 |
| Texas | Public Health Nurse I–V 5 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team | $51,158 – $156,612 |
| Vermont | Public Health Nurse I–II 2 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Vermont Department of Human Resources | $58,344 – $96,699 |
| Wisconsin | Public Health Nurse, Public Health Nurse-Advanced 2 classes · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management | $58,344 – $127,150 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 13 official state pay plans, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2021). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Record patients' medical information and vital signs.4.7
- Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.4.7
- Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.4.7
- Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.4.6
- Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.4.6
- Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.4.5
- Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.4.5
- Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.4.4
- Instruct individuals, families, or other groups on topics such as health education, disease prevention, or childbirth and develop health improvement programs.4.3
- Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.4.3
The 10 most important of 15 core tasks for Registered Nurses, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2021.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
SourcedFree practice tests
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered NursesEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
State versions: 2 states. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 338,940 | $101,260 | $140,270 | $213,320 |
| Hawaii | 12,940 | $82,500 | $136,320 | $147,830 |
| Oregon | 39,730 | $95,280 | $129,010 | $155,010 |
| Washington | 69,260 | $89,630 | $124,200 | $161,910 |
| Alaska | 7,510 | $85,030 | $109,480 | $149,070 |
| New York | 205,810 | $79,760 | $109,440 | $157,090 |
| New Jersey | 92,680 | $83,060 | $106,500 | $135,170 |
| Massachusetts | 88,200 | $80,310 | $104,550 | $174,510 |
| Nevada | 27,070 | $79,500 | $103,670 | $133,270 |
| Connecticut | 40,110 | $80,350 | $102,740 | $134,870 |
| District of Columbia | 11,440 | $79,390 | $102,540 | $151,170 |
| Minnesota | 70,110 | $79,960 | $101,510 | $132,430 |
| Rhode Island | 10,090 | $77,410 | $100,640 | $129,840 |
| Colorado | 54,490 | $79,500 | $100,260 | $124,940 |
| Maryland | 52,910 | $76,780 | $99,790 | $124,790 |
| New Hampshire | 15,390 | $75,610 | $99,700 | $123,190 |
| Delaware | 14,290 | $78,340 | $99,520 | $123,860 |
| Arizona | 73,150 | $70,540 | $99,500 | $130,930 |
| Vermont | 7,410 | $77,670 | $97,460 | $126,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 146,520 | $70,800 | $96,430 | $117,900 |
| Illinois | 138,910 | $69,170 | $95,990 | $118,190 |
| Texas | 271,380 | $67,120 | $95,970 | $127,950 |
| Wisconsin | 68,060 | $77,470 | $95,530 | $119,860 |
| New Mexico | 17,980 | $74,300 | $94,340 | $123,540 |
| Michigan | 104,950 | $77,260 | $94,300 | $116,710 |
| Virginia | 77,490 | $67,830 | $93,600 | $125,580 |
| Georgia | 100,950 | $68,920 | $93,550 | $128,640 |
| Idaho | 16,880 | $71,210 | $92,460 | $121,230 |
| Maine | 16,540 | $74,160 | $86,990 | $106,950 |
| Montana | 10,950 | $70,120 | $85,280 | $113,920 |
| Nebraska | 24,720 | $66,020 | $84,730 | $106,190 |
| Utah | 27,420 | $68,920 | $84,600 | $109,050 |
| North Carolina | 111,120 | $67,660 | $84,350 | $110,220 |
| Florida | 229,940 | $67,970 | $84,190 | $120,330 |
| Wyoming | 5,330 | $65,770 | $83,760 | $107,350 |
| Indiana | 68,980 | $66,750 | $83,500 | $105,750 |
| Oklahoma | 38,270 | $60,530 | $82,920 | $106,390 |
| Ohio | 143,730 | $66,980 | $82,510 | $105,290 |
| South Carolina | 49,750 | $66,860 | $82,360 | $106,520 |
| Missouri | 76,310 | $63,230 | $81,780 | $104,390 |
| Tennessee | 72,200 | $63,970 | $81,500 | $104,920 |
| Kentucky | 50,300 | $64,170 | $81,040 | $111,750 |
| North Dakota | 11,340 | $65,520 | $80,730 | $103,480 |
| Louisiana | 48,970 | $63,800 | $80,230 | $104,740 |
| West Virginia | 23,430 | $57,210 | $80,130 | $131,760 |
| Kansas | 33,800 | $63,180 | $79,320 | $100,840 |
| Arkansas | 29,400 | $60,780 | $78,940 | $103,660 |
| Iowa | 34,420 | $63,840 | $78,630 | $100,500 |
| South Dakota | 14,710 | $54,040 | $78,060 | $98,220 |
| Mississippi | 29,060 | $60,610 | $77,090 | $100,350 |
| Alabama | 54,340 | $58,150 | $77,080 | $98,910 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules