So You're Curious About How Much Nurses REALLY Make?!

💸 So, You’re Curious About How Much Nurses REALLY Make?

Hey there, nurse fam—it’s Nurse TLC, back with another dose of reality from the front lines. Today, we’re digging into something every nurse (and future nurse) has probably Googled at some point: "How much do nurses really make?"Spoiler alert: it depends a lot on where you live.In this post, we’re talking cold hard numbers—the five highest and lowest paying states for both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurses (LVNs/LPNs). But paychecks don’t tell the whole story, so we’re also breaking down the average cost of living (COL) in these states and discussing what else you should think about when choosing where to live and work as a nurse.💬 Heads up: In our next blog post, we’ll get into “The Art of Negotiation” and how to KNOW YOUR WORTH. But first… let’s check those numbers.

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🚨 The Lowest Paying States for Nurses (From Lowest to “Highest”)

Let’s start with the states where nurse salaries are the least impressive. But don’t write them off just yet—some also come with a lower cost of living, and that matters more than you think!

1. South Dakota

• RN Average Salary: $64,509/year
• LVN/LPN Average Salary: $49,580/year

Known for natural beauty and affordability—but not exactly a goldmine for nurses.

2. Arkansas

• RN Salary: $66,530/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $49,360/year

Home to hot springs, forests, and lakes... but also very modest nursing wages.

3. Alabama

• RN Salary: $66,910/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $48,320/year

A super low cost of living—yes. But access to quality healthcare and education? Still improving.

4. Mississippi

• RN Salary: $67,930/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $49,050/year

Known for its southern roots and farmland. Salaries here barely outpace the cost of living.

5. Iowa

• RN Salary: $69,370/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $55,870/year

The heartland of America. Pay is better than the bottom four—but still lower than average.

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💰 The Highest Paying States for Nurses

Now for the good stuff—here are the five states where nurses make the most money, but be warned: higher salaries often come with higher price tags for everyday life.

1. California

• RN Salary: $113,240/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $64,090/year

Always on top. But with a high cost of living, you’ll feel it in your rent, gas, and groceries.

2. Hawaii

• RN Salary: $104,060/year
• LVN/LPN Salary: $54,160/year

Tropical paradise, yes. But also one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S.

3. Oregon

• RN Salary: $92,960/year
• LVN/LPN Salary:</st