Registered Nurse salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Registered Nurses in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $106,180 a year ($51.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 64,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,670 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $104,550. There are 24 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,880 | $39.37 |
| 25th percentile | $94,870 | $45.61 |
| Median | $106,180 | $51.05 |
| 75th percentile | $153,380 | $73.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,670 | $90.71 |
| Average (mean) | $121,820 | $58.57 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,848.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,424.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,083.85 |
| Weekly | $2,041.92 |
| Hourly | $51.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $106,180 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield, MA | $104,950 | 1,230 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $103,380 | 1,860 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $101,270 | 1,150 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,240 | 10,070 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $99,880 | 15,180 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $98,600 | 5,210 |
| Springfield, MA | $98,410 | 5,830 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $229,870 | $110.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | $70.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,550 | $49.78 |
| Pharmacist | $139,660 | $67.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $284,010 | $136.54 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,840 | $37.43 |
| Dentists, General | $181,150 | $87.09 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Veterinarian | $138,900 | $66.78 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $106,180 a year, or $51.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $188,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $188,670 a year. The top 25% earn $153,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,880 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $94,870 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 64,240 registered nurses are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.