Registered Nurses

SOC: 29-1141 O*NET: 29-1141.00
Median Salary
$93,600
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.9%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
189.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

What does a Registered Nurses do?

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$66,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$78,610
25th percentile
Median
$93,600
50th percentile
Experienced
$107,960
75th percentile
Top Earners
$135,320
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$66,030
25th
$78,610
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$93,600
Mean: $98,430
75th
$107,960
90th
$135,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $69,290 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $78,610 and $107,960
  • Salary spread is 31.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 3,282,010 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:3,391,000

Top Industries

Hospitals50.9%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals48.1%
Ambulatory Health Care Services18.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.9%
Annual Openings:189,100

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)3,391,000
Current
2034 (Projected)3,557,100
+4.9%
+166,100
Employment Change
+4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Registered Nurses professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
326,720 jobs$140,3300.85x
Texas
261,050 jobs$90,0100.89x
Florida
218,100 jobs$82,8501.04x
New York
204,120 jobs$105,6001.00x
Pennsylvania
146,840 jobs$87,6101.15x
Illinois
139,900 jobs$86,4101.08x
Ohio
138,360 jobs$81,2501.18x
North Carolina
108,510 jobs$81,8601.04x
Michigan
104,210 jobs$85,6701.12x
Georgia
97,410 jobs$86,5600.94x
New Jersey
95,150 jobs$102,7301.05x
Massachusetts
90,190 jobs$101,9701.16x
Virginia
77,420 jobs$88,8200.89x
Missouri
74,270 jobs$79,7701.20x
Indiana
68,950 jobs$80,7401.02x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Writing
40%

Skills Overview

Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Social Perceptiveness

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Speaking

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Writing

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

New Accounts Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Rehabilitation Counselors100%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination
Learn on the Job:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Coordination

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Registered Nurses

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Apache Spark

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

eClinicalWorks EHR software

🔥 Hot Tech

Epic Systems

🔥 Hot Tech

Henry Schein Dentrix

🔥 Hot Tech

MEDITECH software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Project

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Apache Spark
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
Henry Schein Dentrix
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet low physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (7)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform
3

Record patients' medical information and vital signs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform
4

Modify patient treatment plans as indicated by patients' responses and conditions.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Planning & Development91% perform
5

Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Planning & Development88% perform
6

Order, interpret, and evaluate diagnostic tests to identify and assess patient's condition.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform
7

Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Management & Supervision79% perform
9

Prepare patients for and assist with examinations or treatments.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform
10

Observe nurses and visit patients to ensure proper nursing care.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Registered Nurses

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Registered Nurses professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Registered Nurses

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.63

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.55

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.55

Concern for Others

Very Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.49

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.49

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.46

Complete Work Styles Profile

Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Concern for Others
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Self-Control
4.1
Leadership
4.1

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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