Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Registered 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. PayThe median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 180,800 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 180,800 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 180,800 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Work Environment
Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in outpatient clinics and schools.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Registered 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.
Pay
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 180,800 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Registered nurses work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities. Others work in outpatient clinics and schools.
How to Become a Registered Nurse
Registered 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.
Pay
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 180,800 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for registered nurses.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of registered nurses with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about registered nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.