Americans gained a profound appreciation for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We saw them risk their health every day to minimize the spread of the disease, as well as administer the vaccinations that have helped life return to normal. Even in years when there hasn’t been a major public health crisis, though, nurses have always worked long hours in stressful conditions to help keep people healthy.
Despite the difficulties of the occupation, nurses are generally well-rewarded for their life-saving work. Nursing occupations are some of the most lucrative careers, with a mean annual wage of more than $98,000 and some of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.
In light of the ongoing challenges faced by nurses, WalletHub took stock of the nursing industry to help registered nurses, particularly new graduates, pick a place to live that will bring success. We did so by comparing the 50 states across 20 key metrics that collectively speak to the nursing-job opportunities in each market.
Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Main Findings
Best States to Work as a Nurse
| Overall Rank | State | Total Score | Opportunity & Competition Rank | Work Environment Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 64.16 | 5 | 2 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 62.07 | 8 | 1 |
| 3 | Oregon | 60.06 | 15 | 3 |
| 4 | Arizona | 59.23 | 2 | 19 |
| 5 | Maine | 58.79 | 11 | 9 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 58.10 | 1 | 38 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 57.28 | 26 | 6 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 56.77 | 24 | 8 |
| 9 | Illinois | 55.67 | 17 | 11 |
| 10 | Connecticut | 55.29 | 36 | 4 |
| 11 | Missouri | 54.74 | 13 | 22 |
| 12 | Florida | 54.24 | 3 | 39 |
| 13 | Texas | 54.07 | 27 | 14 |
| 14 | West Virginia | 53.97 | 19 | 21 |
| 15 | Montana | 53.94 | 4 | 36 |
| 16 | California | 53.64 | 22 | 20 |
| 17 | New York | 53.34 | 29 | 17 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 52.99 | 41 | 7 |
| 19 | Georgia | 52.57 | 7 | 35 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 52.44 | 16 | 27 |
| 21 | Nevada | 52.41 | 12 | 32 |
| 22 | North Carolina | 52.28 | 6 | 41 |
| 23 | Idaho | 51.57 | 23 | 28 |
| 24 | Alaska | 51.31 | 39 | 10 |
| 25 | Iowa | 51.28 | 20 | 29 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | 50.94 | 32 | 23 |
| 27 | South Carolina | 50.69 | 10 | 42 |
| 28 | Wyoming | 50.59 | 21 | 31 |
| 29 | Ohio | 50.38 | 14 | 40 |
| 30 | Indiana | 50.32 | 18 | 34 |
| 31 | New Jersey | 50.07 | 42 | 15 |
| 32 | Utah | 49.88 | 47 | 5 |
| 33 | Maryland | 49.73 | 43 | 13 |
| 34 | Colorado | 48.77 | 38 | 24 |
| 35 | Virginia | 48.42 | 25 | 43 |
| 36 | Delaware | 48.36 | 37 | 26 |
| 37 | Michigan | 48.34 | 9 | 46 |
| 38 | Kentucky | 48.25 | 33 | 30 |
| 39 | Kansas | 47.46 | 35 | 33 |
| 40 | Arkansas | 46.04 | 31 | 44 |
| 41 | Nebraska | 44.84 | 46 | 25 |
| 42 | Tennessee | 44.59 | 34 | 45 |
| 43 | Vermont | 44.42 | 48 | 16 |
| 44 | Mississippi | 43.66 | 30 | 49 |
| 45 | South Dakota | 43.39 | 49 | 12 |
| 46 | Louisiana | 42.98 | 28 | 50 |
| 47 | Hawaii | 42.35 | 45 | 37 |
| 48 | North Dakota | 41.67 | 50 | 18 |
| 49 | Alabama | 41.16 | 40 | 47 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | 38.80 | 44 | 48 |
Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of each state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that category.
- Most
- 1. New Hampshire
- 2. Massachusetts
- 3. New Mexico
- 4. Connecticut
- 5. New Jersey
- Fewest
- 46. Rhode Island
- 47. Hawaii
- 48. Wyoming
- 49. Nevada
- 50. Utah
- Highest
- 1. Michigan
- 2. Illinois
- 3. Ohio
- 4. Washington
- 5. Georgia
- Lowest
- 46. Rhode Island
- 47. Alaska
- 48. Vermont
- 49. Maryland
- 50. Hawaii
- Most
- 1. Montana
- 2. Minnesota
- 3. North Dakota
- 4. South Carolina
- 5. Iowa
- Fewest
- 46. Colorado
- 47. Illinois
- 48. Texas
- 49. Delaware
- 50. Nevada
- Lowest
- 1. Massachusetts
- 2. Arizona
- 3. Nevada
- 4. Alaska
- 5. Maryland
- Highest
- 46. New York
- 47. Nebraska
- 48. West Virginia
- 49. South Dakota
- 50. North Dakota
- Highest
- 1. Maine
- 2. Florida
- 3. Hawaii
- 4. Arizona
- 5. Vermont
- Lowest
- 46. Colorado
- 47. Texas
- 48. Alaska
- 49. North Dakota
- 50. Utah
In-Depth Look at the Best States for Nurses
Washington
Washington is the best state for nurses, in part because it has very high median earnings for registered nurses, nurses in care facilities, and licensed practical and vocational nurses. The Evergreen State has one of the highest job growth rates for nurses, too. It also has some of the highest-ranked nursing schools in the country.
In addition, around 34% of Washington residents live in a primary care HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area), which means that new nurses are needed and it’s easier to find a nursing job. Nurses also enjoy good working conditions. They can avoid burnout because the state restricts mandatory overtime, and nurses who work in nursing homes benefit from the fact that the state has a very high percentage of nursing homes rated five stars.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the second-best state for nurses, with plenty of career opportunities, as the state has the most nursing-job openings per capita and a large number of hospitals per capita. In addition, New Hampshire has some of the best nursing schools in the country.
The Granite State also restricts mandatory overtime for nurses, which helps stop nurses from being taken advantage of and overworked.
Oregon
Oregon is the third-best state for nurses, boasting the largest number of nursing and residential care facilities per capita. In addition, the Beaver State has the third-highest share of nursing homes rated five stars.
There is also a large need for nurses for the elderly population in Oregon. In fact, by 2050, the state is projected to have the 13th-highest percentage of the population that will be aged 65+.
Finally, Oregon has the fourth-highest median earnings for registered nurses, and like the other top states, it also restricts mandatory overtime, which can help caregivers stay sharp and avoid burnout.
Ask the Experts
WalletHub turned to a panel of nursing-industry experts for insight into the future of the profession and how recent graduates can find success. You can check out their bios and thoughts below.
- What is the long-term outlook for the field of nursing?
- What tips do you have for recent nursing school grads looking for a place to live and work?
- What can local governments and health systems do to attract and retain high quality nurses?
- With nearly four out of 10 nurses reporting they felt burned out in recent years, what are some strategies for combating nurse burnout?
- Will nursing shortage continue to impact the nursing healthcare trends in 2025 as well?
Ask the Experts
DNP, FNP-BC, RN - Academic Director, Master of Health Administration Program; Assistant Prof. of Professional Practice, Health Management & Policy, Miami Herbert Business School, Clinical Faculty, School of Nursing & Health Sciences - University of Miami
Read More
Brownlee O. Currey, Jr., Professor of Management - Vanderbilt University | Owen Graduate School of Management
Read More
MD, MPH, MACP - Associate Dean for Public Health & Health Policy; Professor of Medicine; Chief, Division of Public Health, The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine - University of Vermont
Read More
Associate Professor, Management Programs – Health Administration, College of Business - Florida Atlantic University
Read More
Ed.D., RN, FAAN, Professor, School of Nursing - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Read More
FAAN, Ph.D., RN, Professor, and the Director of the Global Consortium of Nursing and Midwifery Studies – Rory Meyers College of Nursing – New York University
Read More
Methodology
In order to determine the best and worst states for nurses, WalletHub compared the 50 states across two key dimensions, “Opportunity & Competition” and “Work Environment.”
We evaluated those dimensions using 20 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for nurses.
We then determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the states.
Opportunity & Competition – Total Points: 70
- Monthly Average Starting Salary for Nurses: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living. - Average Annual Salary for Nurses: Double Weight (~13.33 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living. - Health-Care Facilities per Capita: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Share of Population Living in a Primary-Care HPSA: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
Note: “HPSAs,” as defined by the Health Resources & Services Administration, “are designations that indicate health care provider shortages in: Primary care; Dental health; or Mental Health” and “may be geographic-, population-, or facility-based.” - Projected Share of Elderly Population in 2050: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
Note: “Elderly population” includes adults aged 65 and older. - Quality of Nursing Schools: Half Weight (~3.33 Points)
- Tuition Cost per Credit for BSN Online Program: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Nursing-Job Openings per Capita: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Nurses per 1,000 Residents: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Projected Competition in 2032: Full Weight (~6.67 Points)
Note: “Competition” refers to the number of nurses per 1,000 residents.
Work Environment – Total Points: 30
- Mandatory Overtime Restrictions: Double Weight (~5.45 Points)
- Ratio of Nurses to Hospital Beds: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
- Nurses Job Growth (2023 vs 2019): Double Weight (~5.45 Points)
- Presence of Nursing Licensure Compact Law: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
Note: This metric considers the presence or absence of a Nursing Licensure Compact law in the state. The compact allows nurses to practice in their home state and other participating states. - Regulatory Requirement for Nurse Practitioners: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
- Share of Best Nursing Homes: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
Note: This metric is based on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Nursing Homes” rating. - Quality of Public Hospital System: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
Note: This metric is based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. - Friendliness Toward Working Moms: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst States for Working Moms” ranking. In 2011, there were 3.5 million employed nurses in the U.S., and about 3.2 million were female. - Average Number of Work Hours: Half Weight (~1.36 Points)
- Average Commute Time: Half Weight (~1.36 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of April 1, 2025 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HRSA Data Warehouse, University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, Indeed.com, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, U.S. News & World Report, Projections Central - State Occupational Projections, Nurse.org, The Lore Law Firm, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and WalletHub research.
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