Registered Nurse Salary in St. Paul, MN: $107,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in St. Paul, MN earns a median $107,421/year (≈ $51.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $109,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, registered nurses in St. Paul, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $107,421, reflecting a growing demand in the healthcare sector. With a salary range from $74,704 at the 10th percentile to $163,814 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a robust market where night and weekend shifts can significantly influence overall earnings. In particular, those willing to work non-standard hours may see their pay boosted by differentials that add an additional $3 to $7 per hour for nights and $3 to $5 for weekends. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight St. Paul’s competitive job market for registered nurses, who are increasingly sought after for their specialized skills and flexibility.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,704 | $35.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,711 | $42.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,421 | $51.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,503 | $59.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,814 | $78.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,110 (2026 est.). At $107,421, the local median is 4.57% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Registered Nurse Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $107,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $108,507 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +4.57% more |
Registered Nurses in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $107,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 1.00% below the Minnesota state average of $108,507.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $107,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,057 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,648
2025 BLS Actual
$102,005
2026 Current Est.
$107,421
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,648 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,929 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $76,648 (2019) to $102,005 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,478 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,704 – $87,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,711 – $107,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,421 – $123,503 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,503 – $163,814 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in St. Paul
The job market for registered nurses in St. Paul features around 80 employed individuals, reflecting a stable yet dynamic environment where the cost of living, indexed at 98.5, keeps salaries consistent with local purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest registered nurse pay in St. Paul, MN, include major hospital systems, especially those with Magnet status, which tend to prioritize BSN-educated staff with specialty certifications. Factors contributing to the disparity in compensation involve shift differentials, charge nurse opportunities, and the complexities of various assignments, such as working in intensive care units versus general floor roles. For RNs looking to maximize their earnings, targeting specialty certifications and considering travel nursing positions may provide lucrative options. Networking with local health agencies and maintaining an awareness of openings in acute and emergency care settings can also enhance earning potential.
More salary data for St. Paul, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,005 for registered nursesin the St. Paul metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Paul is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov