Stacker story: highest-paying metros for nurses

Explore top areas in all 50 states where working in nursing pays more than other occupations.


The Highest-Paying Metro for Nurses in Every State (2026 Update)

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Massachusetts pays Travel Acute Care Nurses the most, averaging $2,829 per week, followed by New Jersey ($2,429) and New Hampshire ($2,388). Pennsylvania has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $3,097. For comparison, the national average for Travel Acute Care Nurses is $2,218 per week — Massachusetts pays 28% more.

Only Portland, Maine reports pay data for Acute Care Nurses, averaging $34 per hour. Portland, Maine also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $46. For comparison, the Maine average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Portland, Maine pays 29% less.

Massachusetts pays Travel Acute Care Nurses the most, averaging $2,829 per week, followed by New Hampshire ($2,388) and New York ($2,376). New York has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $3,404. For comparison, the national average for Travel Acute Care Nurses is $2,218 per week — Massachusetts pays 28% more.

Only Connecticut reports pay data for Acute Care Nurses, averaging $54 per hour. Connecticut also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $55. For comparison, the Maine average for Registered Nurses is $49 per hour — Connecticut pays 11% more.

Registered Nurses who provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate treatment plans, and monitor patient conditions across diverse healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers, home health and hospice, schools and public health settings, travel nursing assignments, corrections, long-term acute care, and non-bedside roles such as case management, informatics, education, and telehealth.

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