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.
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
EditorialSteps and lanes: certificated salary schedule: years (steps) × education (lanes). Typical structure for a public school certificated staff; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Teacher, Step 1 (by lane: BA / BA+15 / MA / MA+30 / PhD)
- Teacher, Steps 2…N (annual)
- Longevity steps
- Mentor / Lead Teacher / Department Chair (stipend)
- Instructional Coach
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Central-office Director
- Superintendent
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.
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- Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
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.
Employer directory
Sourced13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):
| Employer | Location | Teachers (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Chicago, IL | 23,532 | Official site |
| Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles, CA | 21,246 | Official site |
| MIAMI-DADE | Miami, FL | 17,139 | Official site |
| Clark County | Las Vegas, NV | 16,446 | Official site |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Falls Church, VA | 13,501 | Official site |
| Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville, GA | 12,796 | — |
| Hawaii Department of Education | Honolulu, HI | 12,215 | Official site |
| Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD | 11,574 | Official site |
| PALM BEACH | West Palm Beach, FL | 11,548 | Official site |
| ORANGE | Orlando, FL | 11,416 | Official site |
Full lists by state:
As reported by each employer to its federal registry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff). Data captured September 30, 2026.
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