Registered nurses are starting to look different on paper in just a few years, even as demand keeps rising. In 2023, about 3.5 million RNs were employed nationwide and registered nurse shortages were reported by 62% of hospitals, while over 80% of nurses also reported workplace violence. And pay varies sharply too, with a median of $86,070 nationwide in May 2023 and California averaging $133,340 in 2023.
Key Takeaways
- As of 2022, 87.4% of registered nurses in the US were female
- The average age of employed registered nurses in the US was 46 years in 2022
- 18.5% of registered nurses were aged 65 or older in 2020
- In 2023, about 59% of registered nurses held a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or higher
- The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 87.9% in 2023
- 45% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2023, up from 40% in 2010
- In 2023, approximately 3.5 million registered nurses were employed in the United States
- Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
- There were 193,100 job openings for registered nurses annually projected through 2032
- Registered nurses provided care to an estimated 4.2 billion patient encounters annually in US hospitals in 2022
- Over 80% of registered nurses report experiencing workplace violence in 2022 surveys
- Nurse-to-patient ratios averaged 1:5 in medical-surgical units in US hospitals in 2022
- The median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070
- In California, the highest paying state, registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $133,340 in 2023
- Registered nurses in outpatient care centers earned a median wage of $94,480 in 2023
With 3.5 million US RNs, rising education and hiring needs, strong pay, and persistent staffing and safety challenges, the profession is at a turning point.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics24 stats
01
As of 2022, 87.4% of registered nurses in the US were female
02
The average age of employed registered nurses in the US was 46 years in 2022
03
18.5% of registered nurses were aged 65 or older in 2020
04
Hispanic or Latino registered nurses made up 9.1% of the workforce in 2022
05
Black or African American RNs comprised 7.8% of the US nursing workforce in 2022
06
Asian RNs represented 9.7% of the workforce in 2022
07
White non-Hispanic RNs were 75.4% of the workforce in 2022
08
Male RNs increased to 12.6% of the workforce in 2022 from 9.6% in 2013
09
RNs aged 30-39 made up 28% of the workforce in 2022
10
Multi-racial RNs were 2.3% of workforce in 2022
11
RNs with 20+ years experience were 31% of workforce in 2022
12
Native American/Alaska Native RNs were 0.5% of workforce in 2022
13
RNs under 30 years old were 9% of workforce in 2022
14
Pacific Islander RNs comprised 0.4% in 2022
15
Rural RNs were 15% of workforce despite serving 20% population 2022
16
RNs with military background 2.1% of total in 2022
17
LGBTQ+ RNs estimated at 5-10% self-identified in 2022 surveys
18
Baby boomer RN retirements projected 300,000 by 2025
19
Foreign-educated RNs 16% of workforce in 2022
20
RNs aged 50-64 42% of workforce 2022
21
RNs with disabilities 4.2% self-reported in 2022
22
RN workforce diversity index improved 5% 2016-2022
23
RNs in academia 10% of total employed 2022
24
RNs aged 40-49 25% workforce 2022
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
In the Demographics snapshot, registered nurses in the US were predominantly female at 87.4% in 2022 and noticeably older on average with a mean age of 46, while the workforce also shows some racial diversity with Asians at 9.7% and Hispanic or Latino RNs at 9.1% in 2022.
02 · Category
Education23 stats
01
In 2023, about 59% of registered nurses held a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or higher
02
The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 87.9% in 2023
03
45% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2023, up from 40% in 2010
04
Associate degree nursing programs produced 38% of new RNs in 2023
05
76% of RNs pursued further education within 10 years of licensure in 2023 data
06
Diploma programs accounted for less than 1% of RN education in 2023
07
88% of employers prefer BSN-prepared RNs for entry-level positions in 2023
08
RN-to-BSN completion programs graduated 50,000 nurses in 2023
09
MSN-prepared RNs held 12% of positions in 2023
10
Accelerated BSN programs enrolled 15% of students in 2023
11
PhD-prepared RNs were 1.7% of faculty in 2023
12
Generic BSN programs awarded 140,000 degrees in 2023
13
RN bridge programs from LPN to RN enrolled 20,000 in 2023
14
DNP programs graduated 7,000 nurses in 2023
15
Post-licensure certification held by 35% RNs in 2023
16
Simulation training in RN programs reached 90% adoption 2023
17
Online RN programs 25% of enrollments in 2023
18
Clinical nurse leader MSN programs 150 schools in 2023
19
APRN pathways pursued by 20% RNs within 5 years licensure 2023
20
Nursing simulation centers in 95% BSN programs 2023
21
Informatics certification 10,000 RNs held 2023
22
Nurse residency programs in 40% hospitals 2023
23
Leadership MSN tracks 30% of graduate enrollments 2023
Interpretation
Education Interpretation
Education trends for registered nurses show that a strong majority of the workforce is building or advancing beyond entry-level training, with 59% holding a BSN or higher in 2023 and 76% pursuing further education within 10 years of licensure.
03 · Category
Employment24 stats
01
In 2023, approximately 3.5 million registered nurses were employed in the United States
02
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
03
There were 193,100 job openings for registered nurses annually projected through 2032
04
62% of hospitals reported registered nurse shortages in 2023
05
Full-time RN employment averaged 1,874 hours per year in 2022
06
3.18 million RNs were actively licensed in the US in 2023
07
55% of RNs worked in hospitals in 2022
08
Projected RN shortage of 193,100 per year through 2031
09
1.2 million RN jobs added since 2019 due to healthcare expansion
10
Part-time RNs comprised 27% of employed nurses in 2022
11
Ambulatory RN employment grew 9% from 2019-2023
12
Home health RNs numbered 430,000 in 2023
13
Critical care RN employment reached 400,000 in 2023
14
Nursing home RNs totaled 250,000 employed in 2023
15
School nurse RN positions grew 4% yearly 2020-2023
16
Psychiatric RN employment hit 180,000 in 2023
17
Government-employed RNs 12% of total in 2023
18
Operating room RNs numbered 250,000 in 2023
19
Emergency department RNs 200,000 strong in 2023
20
Public health RNs increased 12% post-COVID 2023
21
Pediatric RN specialty 50,000 employed 2023
22
Occupational health RNs 30,000 in 2023
23
Aesthetic RNs grew 20% 2020-2023
24
Forensic RNs 5,000 certified 2023
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
In the Employment category, the US registered nurse workforce is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032 and relies on strong hiring demand shown by 193,100 annual job openings through 2032, even as hospitals reported RN shortages in 62% of cases in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Practice23 stats
01
Registered nurses provided care to an estimated 4.2 billion patient encounters annually in US hospitals in 2022
02
Over 80% of registered nurses report experiencing workplace violence in 2022 surveys
03
Nurse-to-patient ratios averaged 1:5 in medical-surgical units in US hospitals in 2022
04
Registered nurses administered over 90% of medications in hospitals in 2022 studies
05
RNs reduced hospital readmission rates by 15% through care coordination in 2022 trials
06
RN burnout rates reached 62% during the COVID-19 peak in 2021-2022
07
RNs conducted 75% of patient assessments in ambulatory settings in 2022
08
Evidence-based practice adoption by RNs improved outcomes by 23% in 2022 studies
09
RN-led clinics reduced ER visits by 30% in community settings 2022
10
RN documentation errors dropped 40% with EHR implementation by 2022
11
RN telehealth visits increased 38-fold from 2019 to 2023
12
RN infection control measures prevented 1.7 million HAIs in 2022
13
RN pain management improved patient satisfaction scores by 25% in 2022
14
RN discharge planning reduced readmissions 20% in 2022 CMS data
15
RN-led quality improvement cut CAUTI rates 50% in ICUs 2022
16
RN wellness programs lowered turnover 18% in 2022 studies
17
RN palliative care consultations grew 25% yearly 2020-2023
18
RN hand hygiene compliance 95% target met in 70% hospitals 2022
19
RN fall prevention protocols reduced incidents 30% 2022
20
RN sepsis bundle compliance 82% nationally 2022
21
RN medication reconciliation errors reduced 45% 2022
22
RN CLABSI prevention success 90% reduction since 2008 to 2022
23
RN ventilator-associated pneumonia down 68% 2015-2022
Interpretation
Practice Interpretation
In the Practice category, Registered nurses handle care at massive scale, with 4.2 billion patient encounters annually, while also facing serious operational strain and risk, since nurse burnout hit 62% during the COVID-19 peak and over 80% reported workplace violence in 2022.
05 · Category
Salary23 stats
01
The median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070
02
In California, the highest paying state, registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $133,340in 2023
03
Registered nurses in outpatient care centers earned a median wage of $94,480in 2023
04
The top 10% of registered nurses earned more than $132,680 annually in 2023
05
Entry-level RN salaries averaged $68,000in 2023 for BSN graduates
06
RNs in general medical and surgical hospitals earned $93,550median in 2023
07
RNs with DNP degrees earned 20% more than BSN-prepared in 2023 surveys
08
Overnight shift RNs earned 15% premium pay averaging $105,000 in 2023
09
RN salaries in New York averaged $104,570in 2023
10
Unionized RNs earned 10-15% higher wages in 2023 data
11
RN overtime pay averaged $50/hour in hospitals 2023
12
RNs in physician offices earned $82,750median 2023
13
Travel RN contracts paid average $120,000annually in 2023
14
RN bonuses averaged $10,000sign-on in 2023 shortages
15
RN night differential pay 10-20% above base in 2023
16
RN education reimbursement used by 40% employers 2023
17
RN average benefits package worth $30,000yearly 2023
18
RN per diem rates $60-80/hour in urban areas 2023
19
RN 401k matching average 4% employer contribution 2023
20
RN holiday pay 1.5-2x base rate standard 2023
21
RN tuition assistance average $5,000/year 2023
22
RN life insurance benefits average 2x salary 2023
23
RN shift differentials $4-8/hour 2023
Interpretation
Salary Interpretation
For the Salary category, registered nurses earned a median $86,070 per year in May 2023, with pay stretching from entry-level averages of about $68,000 to the top 10% exceeding $132,680.
report visual · Key figures
Registered nurse workforce snapshot (2022)
A majority of U.S. registered nurses are female, with notable representation across age and racial/ethnic groups.
87.4%
As of 2022, 87.4% of registered nurses in the US were female
2.3%
Multi-racial RNs were 2.3% of workforce in 2022
42%
RNs aged 50-64 42% of workforce 2022
75.4%
White non-Hispanic RNs were 75.4% of the workforce in 2022
9.1%
Hispanic or Latino registered nurses made up 9.1% of the workforce in 2022
7.8%
Black or African American RNs comprised 7.8% of the US nursing workforce in 2022
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Registered Nurse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/registered-nurse-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Registered Nurse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/registered-nurse-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Registered Nurse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/registered-nurse-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level