Registered Nurse Salary in New Jersey: $106,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $106,501/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,449 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($121,774), Newark ($119,897), East Orange ($113,929).
In 2026, registered nurses in New Jersey are projected to earn an average median salary of $106,501, which is 3.7% higher than the national median of $102,730. The range of salaries varies significantly across the state, with Jersey City leading at $128,240 and Camden at the lower end with $104,008, highlighting a $24,232 gap. This disparity is largely influenced by the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may affect job responsibilities and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, factors like an aging population and healthcare innovations drive demand for registered nurses, contributing to an annual growth rate of 5.31% in this field. The job market for registered nurses is projected to remain strong, with a total of 10,973 employed in the state across 61 metro areas. Other notable cities include Newark at $126,264 and East Orange at $119,979, reflecting healthy regional demand. The overall outlook for registered nurses in New Jersey indicates a stable and growing environment for those entering or advancing in this profession.
New Jersey Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $74,070 (lowest entry-level) to $190,766 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey registered nurses earn 3.67% more than the national median (+$3,771/year difference).
New Jersey Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in New Jersey range from $86,396 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,401 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,501. The New Jersey median is $3,771 above the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $51.20/hr. Approximately 10,973 registered nurses are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,325
2025 BLS Actual
$101,131
2026 Current Est.
$106,501
2019–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,622 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,107 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,553 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 25.9% from $80,325 (2019) to $101,131 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,831 (39.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Camden | $104,008 |
| Atlantic City | $104,594 |
| Trenton | $105,299 |
| Princeton | $107,393 |
| Vineland | $108,869 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland | $108,869 | 95.968 | $113,443 |
| Jersey City | $128,240 | 115.2 | $111,319 |
| Newark | $126,264 | 115.2 | $109,604 |
| Atlantic City | $104,594 | 98.857 | $105,803 |
| East Orange | $119,979 | 115.2 | $104,148 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $86,396 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,501 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,401 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jersey City | $128,240 |
| 2 | Newark | $126,264 |
| 3 | East Orange | $119,979 |
| 4 | Franklin | $119,979 |
| 5 | Woodbridge | $119,945 |
| 6 | Parsippany-Troy Hills | $119,772 |
| 7 | Union | $119,472 |
| 8 | Elizabeth | $119,428 |
| 9 | Brick | $119,181 |
| 10 | Gloucester Township | $118,844 |
| 11 | New Brunswick | $118,797 |
| 12 | Howell | $118,404 |
| 13 | Paterson | $118,262 |
| 14 | Plainfield | $118,123 |
| 15 | Irvington | $117,944 |
| 16 | West New York | $117,766 |
| 17 | Piscataway | $117,682 |
| 18 | Jackson | $117,617 |
| 19 | Lakewood | $117,421 |
| 20 | West Orange | $117,352 |
| 21 | Montclair | $117,178 |
| 22 | Washington Township | $116,994 |
| 23 | Old Bridge | $116,951 |
| 24 | Edison | $116,770 |
| 25 | Union City | $116,716 |
| 26 | Toms River | $116,679 |
| 27 | Bridgewater | $116,544 |
| 28 | Middletown | $116,511 |
| 29 | Clifton | $116,154 |
| 30 | South Brunswick | $115,947 |
| 31 | Berkeley | $115,938 |
| 32 | Perth Amboy | $115,920 |
| 33 | Wayne | $115,882 |
| 34 | Linden | $115,865 |
| 35 | Passaic | $115,836 |
| 36 | East Brunswick | $115,792 |
| 37 | Bloomfield | $115,545 |
| 38 | Long Branch | $115,470 |
| 39 | Westfield | $115,148 |
| 40 | Hamilton | $115,029 |
| 41 | Sayreville | $114,992 |
| 42 | Cherry Hill | $114,973 |
| 43 | North Bergen | $114,767 |
| 44 | Hoboken | $114,664 |
| 45 | Kearny | $114,488 |
| 46 | Manalapan | $114,387 |
| 47 | Bayonne | $114,270 |
| 48 | Manchester | $114,010 |
| 49 | Moorestown | $113,563 |
| 50 | Hackensack | $113,560 |
| 51 | Marlboro | $112,972 |
| 52 | Mount Laurel | $112,889 |
| 53 | Egg Harbor | $112,614 |
| 54 | Evesham | $112,449 |
| 55 | Rahway | $111,953 |
| 56 | Summit | $110,288 |
| 57 | Vineland | $108,869 |
| 58 | Princeton | $107,393 |
| 59 | Trenton | $105,299 |
| 60 | Atlantic City | $104,594 |
| 61 | Camden | $104,008 |
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in New Jersey?
How many registered nurses are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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