The Pay Reality

The latest BLS estimate puts the national RN mean at $101,420, based on May 2025 wages. Here’s how to compare that figure with an actual offer.

Editorial still life for comparing nursing wages and cost-of-living notes

Part 1

The national RN mean is now $101,420. Don’t use it as your offer benchmark.

The latest BLS estimate puts the national RN mean at $101,420, based on May 2025 wages. Here’s how to compare that figure with an actual offer.

May 15, 2026 · 5 min read

Part 2

The national RN mean is $101,420. It's a map, not your benchmark.

One number now stands in for 3.38 million nurses across 50 economies. Here's how to read it — and how to turn any offer into the only figure that matters: what it's worth where you live.

Jul 21, 2026 · 4 min read

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