Registered Nurse Salary in Massachusetts + Job Outlook – 2024

Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

Three Massachusetts cities, Boston, Worcester and Lawrence, consistently rank among the top ten cities in the nation for nurses. In part, this is due to RN salary in Massachusetts, which today is 17 percent higher than the average RN salary throughout all parts of the U.S. But in part, this is due to the heightened awareness of hospitals and medical centers throughout the Bay State about just what constitutes safe staffing ratios. How much does a registered nurse make in Massachusetts? This article will give you all the information you need on registered nurse salary in Massachusetts for 2024.

What Is The Starting Salary Of A Registered Nurse In Massachusetts?

What is the starting salary of a registered nurse in Massachusetts? The starting salary of a registered nurse in Massachusetts is $32.44 an hour, $1,298 a week, $5,620 a month, or $67,480 a year. This figure is 110 percent higher than $32,252, which is the average entry-level salary for all jobs throughout Massachusetts but 35 percent lower than the average registered nurse salary in Massachusetts.

Entry-level salaries in nursing tend to be significantly lower even than the salaries that RNs who only have six months of experience can expect to earn. In 2004, the cost to orient a new nursing graduate was estimated at between $39,000 and $65,000, and that figure has almost certainly increased since then. RN employers attempt to recoup some of these onboarding costs by decreasing the amount that new graduates are paid.

What Is The Average Salary Of A Registered Nurse In Massachusetts?

What is the average salary of a registered nurse in Massachusetts? The average registered nurse salary in Massachusetts is $50.07 an hour, $2,003 a week, $8,680 a month, or $104,150 a year. Note that “salary” here may be something of a misnomer for staff nurses and floor nurses who typically get paid an hourly wage and who, under the terms of the Fair Labor Standards Act, must be paid overtime for any hours that they work more than eight in a single day or 40 in a single week. For staff nurses, registered nurse salary per hour in Massachusetts is probably a more useful metric than registered nurse salary in Massachusetts.

Average salaries for all occupations, including nursing, tend to reflect the cost of living in specific locales across the U.S. That’s why they vary so significantly from state to state or even city to city within the same state. The cost of living in Massachusetts is 27 percent higher than it is throughout the U.S. as a whole, so it's not surprising that the average RN salary in Massachusetts is 20 percent higher than the average RN salary throughout the nation. But the cost of living indices across the Bay State vary widely, too. In Boston, the cost of living is 62 percent higher than the cost of living throughout the U.S., but in Worcester, it’s only 2 percent higher. Thus, in Boston RN salaries are 12 percent higher than they are in Worcester.

Registered Nurse Salary In Massachusetts By Years Of Experience

The more experience a nurse has, the better able he or she will be to hit the ground running in Massachusetts’s fast-paced healthcare settings. This is why nurses in the Bay State with one to four years of experience make 19 percent more than entry-level nurses, and Massachusetts nurses with five to nine years of experience make 23 percent more than nurses with one to four years of experience. Nurses in the Bay State with 10 to 19 years of experience make nearly twice as much as entry-level nurses. RNs in the Bay State who’ve accumulated two decades or more of experience earn 130% more than new graduates earn.

Most hospitals in Massachusetts base nurse salary on hospital seniority, though. That means RNs are paid commensurate with an RN’s years of continuous employment with a specific hospital from his or her date of hire, rather than on the basis of the number of years he or she has spent in the profession.

Level of Experience	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
Entry-Level	$32.44	$1,298	$5,620	$67,480
1-4 Years of Experience	$38.47	$1,539	$6,670	$80,010
5-9 Years of Experience	$47.37	$1,895	$8,210	$98,520
10-19 Years of Experience	$62.31	$2,493	$10,800	$129,610
20 Years or More Experience	$74.12	$2,965	$12,850	$154,160
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Total Annual Registered Nurse Compensation (Including Other Benefits) In Massachusetts

Registered nurses in Massachusetts also get non-cash compensation above their salary. This non-cash compensation is called “benefits,” and it can account for a sizeable portion of a Massachusetts nurse’s total compensation package. For RNs working in the Bay State’s private sector, the total value of non-cash benefits can amount to $43,572 a year, which is 42 percent of their average annual salary; this brings their annual compensation package to $147,702. For RNs working for the Bay State’s state or local governments, the total value of non-cash benefits can amount to $63,920 a year, which is 61 percent of their average annual salary; this brings their annual compensation package to $168,210.

By law, employers must offer certain benefits such as workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and COBRA. Other benefits, though, are offered at the employer’s own discretion and are generally used to attract high-quality workers. In Massachusetts, RN benefits almost always include paid time off, subsidized medical insurance, and employer contributions to retirement funds. Many nurses in the Bay State also receive liability insurance, educational allowances, and reimbursement for certification fees.

Note that in most Massachusetts hospitals and medical centers, only full-time RNs—which is defined as 36 to 40 hours a week—are eligible for benefits. Part-time and per diem nurses do not receive benefits.

Component	Private Industry	State and Local Government
Paid Leave	$11,078	$12,279
Supplemental Pay	$5,465	$1,682
Insurance	$10,930	$19,008
Retirement and Savings	$5,022	$21,867
Legally Required	$11,078	$9,083
Total Benefits	$43,572	$63,920
Average Annual Salary	$104,130	$104,290
Total Compensation	$147,702	$168,210
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS BY WORKPLACE

1. Hospitals:

Fifty-six percent of the Bay State’s 94,100 registered nurses work in hospitals and medical centers. The average earnings of a hospital-based RN in Massachusetts are $50.96 an hour or $106,010 annually, which is 2 percent more than the average earnings for all RNs across the state. In 2014, Massachusetts became one of only 15 states to address hospital staffing ratios as a matter of state law. Massachusetts has a very active nurse union, and unionized hospitals are known to pay higher wages. The Massachusetts Nurses Association has also lobbied very strongly for higher nurse staffing ratios.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
52,810	$50.96	$2,039	$8,830	$106,010

2. Physician's Offices:

Seven percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses are employed by private physician practices where they earn $44.89 an hour or $93,390 annually, which is 10 percent less than the average earnings for all RNs across the state. Nurses who work in physicians’ offices are the lowest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts in terms of practice setting. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, private practices didn’t have access to the economies of scale that allow hospitals to pay employees comparatively high salaries. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, 42 percent of physician practices in Massachusetts reported a decline in revenues, and more than 60 percent noted they were planning to cut employee salaries accordingly.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
6,390	$44.89	$1,796	$7,780	$93,390

3. Home Health Care:

Six percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses are employed by the state’s home healthcare industry. Between 2009 and 2020, Massachusetts saw one of the biggest increases in home healthcare workers of any state. Most nurses employed by home healthcare agencies don’t work directly with patients; instead, they write nursing care plans that specify the types of assistance each patient will need, and they supervise the aides who provide that assistance. Fourteen percent of the Bay State’s population is over the age of 65, and that percentage is expected to grow to 21 percent by the year 2030, so home care is a booming business in Massachusetts.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
5,320	$46.64	$1,866	$8,090	$97,020

4. Outpatient Care Centers:

Outpatient care centers are medical facilities where patients receive treatments without having to stay overnight. Urgent care centers, emergency rooms and ambulatory surgical clinics are all examples of outpatient care centers. These facilities are typically profit centers for the hospitals or corporations that run them since they see high numbers of patients, but their overhead is typically much lower than that of hospitals. Outpatient care center RNs are the highest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts in terms of practice setting. The average outpatient care center RN salary in Massachusetts is $54.67 an hour or $113,730 annually, which is 9 percent higher than the average salary for all nurses throughout the state.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
4,660	$54.67	$2,187	$9,480	$113,730

5. Nursing Care Facilities:

There are 373 Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in Massachusetts with more than 43,000 available patient beds, approximately 70 percent of which are full at any given time. Four percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses work in these facilities where they average $43.41 an hour or $90,320 annually. In nursing homes, aides provide the majority of hands-on care, and nurses mainly work in a supervisory capacity. Massachusetts nursing homes were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the summer of 2021, the state’s governor issued a mandate requiring all nursing home personnel to be vaccinated.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
3,820	$43.41	$1,737	$7,530	$90,320

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS BY TYPE OF JOB

1. Aesthetic Nurse:

Aesthetic nurses assist with and perform cosmetic procedures such as BOTOX and filler injections, chemical peels, and laser treatments. In the Bay State, they primarily work in the offices of dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, or at medical spas, in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area. The average salary of an aesthetic nurse in Massachusetts is $53.48 an hour or $111,230 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$53.48	$2,139	$9,270	$111,230

2. Cardiac Nurse:

Cardiac nurses specialize in the care and rehabilitation of patients affected by heart disease. These RNs are employed by Massachusetts hospitals and medical centers to work in intensive care units, cardiac wards, and catheterization labs. The average cardiac RN salary in Massachusetts is $57.16 an hour or $118,900 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$57.16	$2,287	$9,910	$118,900

3. Dialysis Nurse:

Dialysis is the process whereby toxins and excess fluids are therapeutically removed from the blood when a patient’s own kidneys are no longer functioning optimally due to renal disease. In Massachusetts, more than 11,000 patients are affected by end-stage renal disease. The average salary in Massachusetts for a nurse specializing in dialysis procedures is $51.00 an hour or $106,090 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$51.00	$2,040	$8,840	$106,090

4. ER Nurse:

While some Massachusetts-based emergency room nurses work in hospital emergency departments, others are affiliated with freestanding emergency rooms that can be operated either by a hospital or by a private corporation. In 2019, 351 out of every 1,000 Massachusetts residents visited an emergency room at least once . The average emergency room RN salary in Massachusetts is $58.34 an hour or $121,340 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$58.34	$2,333	$10,110	$121,340

5. Flight Nurse:

Flight nurses are charged with keeping patients medically stable while those patients are being transported via air ambulances. In Massachusetts, flight nurses earn $50.65 an hour or $105,350 a year on average, which is 1 percent more than what RNs of all specialties earn throughout the Bay State.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$50.65	$2,026	$8,780	$105,350

6. Forensic Nurse:

The average forensic nurse salary in Massachusetts is $47.89 an hour or $99,610 annually, which is 4 percent less than the average RN salary in Massachusetts. Forensic RNs specialize in caring for patients who’ve been affected by trauma. They collect evidence and are frequently called upon to be witnesses at criminal trials.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$47.89	$1,916	$8,300	$99,610

7. Geriatric Nurse:

Geriatric nurses specialize in the care of the elderly. As noted above, 14 percent of the Bay State’s population is older than 65, so geriatric nurses here are in demand. This is reflected in their earnings: The average geriatric nurse salary in Massachusetts is $61.75 an hour or $128,430 annually, which is 23 percent higher than the average salary for Massachusetts RNs throughout all specialties.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$61.75	$2,470	$10,700	$128,430

8. Home Health Nurse:

Home health nurses provide healthcare services inside their patients’ residences. They also supervise the aides who provide assistance to patients with the routine activities of daily life. Massachusetts has several hundred agencies that provide healthcare-related services to the elderly . Bay State RNs who provide home health services make $43.02 an hour or $89,490 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.02	$1,721	$7,460	$89,490

9. Hospice Nurse:

Hospice nurses provide palliative care for terminally ill patients. The Bay State’s 59 hospices provide care in a variety of different settings, including homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, acute care facilities, group homes, hospice residences, and freestanding hospice general inpatient units. Hospice nurses in Massachusetts average $50.85 an hour or $105,770 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$50.85	$2,034	$8,810	$105,770

10. ICU Nurse:

ICU nurses work with critically ill and injured patients in high-tech hospital wards called intensive care units (ICUs). The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp uptick in ICU utilization rates throughout all parts of Massachusetts. The average salary of an ICU nurse salary in Massachusetts is $63.31 an hour or $131,690 a year, which is 26 percent higher than the average registered nurse salary in Massachusetts for all nursing specialties.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$63.31	$2,533	$10,970	$131,690

11. Labor And Delivery Nurse:

Labor and delivery nurses in the Bay State care for women throughout all phases of the birth process and may also provide initial postpartum care for a newly born infant. The average labor and delivery nurse salary in Massachusetts is $61.86 an hour or $128,670 a year, which is 24 percent higher than the average salary for all RNs.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$61.86	$2,474	$10,720	$128,670

12. Neonatal Nurse:

Neonatal nurses specialize in the care of newborn infants. They’re employed in hospital newborn nurseries throughout Massachusetts, and their duties range from caring for critically ill newborns to teaching new mothers the essentials of infant care. The average neonatal nurse salary in Massachusetts is $62.28 an hour or $129,540 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$62.28	$2,491	$10,800	$129,540

13. Nurse Administrator:

Nurse administrators don’t provide clinical care to patients. Instead, they oversee the operational functions of clinical departments within a hospital hierarchy. In Massachusetts, administrative nurses make $52.36 an hour or $108,910 a year; this figure is 5 percent higher than the state average for all registered nurses.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$52.36	$2,094	$9,080	$108,910

14. Nurse Consultant:

Nurse consultants are self-employed professionals who use their expertise to improve nursing activities in hospitals, private physician practices and other health facilities throughout Massachusetts. They typically work on a fee basis. Nurse consultants in the Bay State make $56.83 an hour or $118,200 a year on average.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$56.83	$2,273	$9,850	$118,200

15. Nurse Manager:

Nurse managers are responsible for the clinical operations of units within hospitals. They may also act as liaisons between staff nurses and the administrations of the Massachusetts hospitals that employ those nurses. In the Bay State, the average salary of a nurse manager is $55.01 an hour or $114,430 annually, which is 10 percent higher than the average salary for all RN specialties.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$55.01	$2,201	$9,540	$114,430

16. Nurse Navigator:

Nurse navigators function as advocates, helping to guide patients through a treatment process by connecting them with the information resources those patients need to make informed decisions. In Massachusetts, nurse navigators can expect to earn $46.17 an hour or $96,040 annually, which is 8 percent less than the average RN salary across all specialties.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$46.17	$1,847	$8,000	$96,040

17. Nurse Recruiter:

In 2019, 1,409 nursing positions throughout Massachusetts went unfilled . Nurse recruiters in the Bay State work at staffing agencies and hospital human resources departments to help fill those vacancies. Nurse recruiters in Massachusetts earn $52.38 an hour or $108,950 a year, which is 5 percent over the state average for all RNs.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$52.38	$2,095	$9,080	$108,950

18. Occupational Health Nurse:

Occupational health nurses are charged with identifying health- and safety-related issues in Bay State workplaces. They’re employed by manufacturing and production facilities as well as by government agencies and hospitals. On average, occupational nurses in Massachusetts earn $49.39 an hour or $102,740 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$49.39	$1,976	$8,560	$102,740

19. Oncology Nurse:

Oncology nurses specialize in the care of patients with cancer. The average salary of an oncology nurse in Massachusetts is $54.55 an hour or $113,460 a year. Oncology nurses are in high demand in the Bay State since the state’s population is aging rapidly, and the risk for many types of cancer increases with age.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$54.55	$2,182	$9,460	$113,460

20. Orthopedic Nurse:

The average orthopedic nurse salary in Massachusetts is $60.13 an hour or 125,060 annually, which is 20 percent higher than the average RN salary in that state. Orthopedic nurses primarily work with patients who’ve sustained musculoskeletal injuries. They work in hospitals, private physician practices and ambulatory care clinics throughout the Bay State.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$60.13	$2,405	$10,420	$125,060

21. Pain Management Nurse:

Pain management nurses are the highest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts in terms of clinical specialization. The Bay State’s pain management nurses average $68.00 an hour or $141,440 a year, which is 36 percent more than what nurses across all specialties make in that state. Pain management RNs help patients whose medical conditions are associated with chronic discomfort.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$68.00	$2,720	$11,790	$141,440

22. Pediatric Nurse:

The average pediatric nurse salary in Massachusetts is $46.03 an hour or $95,740 a year. Pediatric nurses work primarily with children and teens aged 18 or younger. They’re often employed in the practices of pediatricians or in Massachusetts hospitals with dedicated pediatric units.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$46.03	$1,841	$7,980	$95,740

23. Psychiatric Nurse:

Psychiatric nurses provide services for patients with mental health or behavioral issues. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an existing mental health crisis in Massachusetts. Psychiatric units in hospitals across the state closed, citing staffing shortages as the primary reason behind the closures. Psychiatric nurses in Massachusetts earn $56.13 an hour or $116,740 a year on average.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$56.13	$2,245	$9,730	$116,740

24. Public Health Nurse:

Public health nurses provide direct healthcare services and education that focus on the prevention of illness and injury. They’re often employed by community clinics in medically underserved communities throughout the Bay State. Public health nurses in Massachusetts earn $43.17 an hour or $89,800 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.17	$1,727	$7,480	$89,800

25. Radiology Nurse:

In Massachusetts, radiology nurse salaries average $51.18 an hour or $106,460 annually, which is 2 percent more than the state average. Radiology nurses provide support for patients undergoing therapeutic radiation treatments or diagnostic imaging procedures. Radiology nurses work in medical centers, oncology practices and freestanding radiation clinics throughout the Bay State.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$51.18	$2,047	$8,870	$106,460

26. Rehabilitation Nurse:

Rehabilitation nurses focus on helping patients optimize their ability to function independently when those patients are affected by a chronic disabling condition, an illness, or an injury. They’re employed by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home healthcare agencies. In Massachusetts, rehabilitation nurses make $51.41 an hour or $106,930 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$51.41	$2,056	$8,910	$106,930

27. School Nurse:

School nurses are the lowest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts by specialty. The average school nurse salary in Massachusetts is $37.94 an hour or $78,910 a year, which is 24 percent less than the average RN salary throughout the Bay State. School nurses are mostly employed by the Bay State’s public school system.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$37.94	$1,518	$6,580	$78,910

28. Staff Nurse:

Staff nurses are the frontline RNs who provide bedside care to hospitalized patients. Increasingly, Massachusetts hospitals prefer to hire registered nurses who’ve graduated from four-year Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN) programs into this role, but you’ll still find some staff nurses who are graduates of two-year or three-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs. Staff nurses make $46.75 on average or $97,240 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$46.75	$1,870	$8,100	$97,240

29. Surgical Nurse:

Surgical nurses assist surgeons during surgical operations. Essentially, they do anything the operating surgeon needs to have done from taking vitals to suctioning excess blood along an incision site. In Massachusetts, surgical nurses primarily work in medical centers and ambulatory surgical clinics. They earn $62.08 an hour or $129,130 a year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$62.08	$2,483	$10,760	$129,130

30. Telemetry Nurse:

Telemetry nurses are trained in the use of specialized cardiac monitoring equipment called electrocardiogram (EKG) devices that are used to identify cardiac arrhythmias. Telemetry nurses in Massachusetts typically work in ICUs, cardiac stepdown units and cardiology practices where they earn $44.35 an hour or $92,240 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$44.35	$1,774	$7,690	$92,240

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY IN MASSACHUSETTS BY METRO

1. Barnstable Town:

Barnstable is a township in Massachusetts that contains parts of Cape Cod as well as the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The area is a major tourist destination, and its population more than doubles during the warmer months. Its largest hospital is Cape Cod Hospital, which has one of the busiest emergency departments in Massachusetts. Only 3 percent of the Bay State’s 2,330 registered nurses are employed in Barnstable Town. The average salary of a registered nurse in Barnstable Town, MA, is $46.24 an hour or $96,180 a year.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
2,330	$46.24	$1,850	$8,020	$96,180

2. Boston-Cambridge-Nashua:

Seventy-five percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses are employed in Boston and the communities surrounding that city. Some of the world’s most prestigious hospitals and medical schools are located in Boston, so it’s not surprising that the highest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts work in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area. The average RN salary in Boston is $51.44 an hour or $106,980 a year, which is 3 percent more than the state average. Well-known Boston hospitals include Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Boston consistently ranks among the nation’s healthiest cities, but it still faces significant health challenges from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
70,220	$51.44	$2,057	$8,920	$106,980

3. Leominster-Gardner:

Leominster and Gardner are cities in Worcester County in north-central Massachusetts. The 2008 housing crisis precipitated a deep recession in this area that lingers to this day, and both Leominster and Gardner have poverty rates above the state average. High poverty rates are associated with negative health outcomes, and the incidence of diabetes, obesity and asthma here are also higher than the state average. Only 1 percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses work in the cities of Leominster and Gardner. Nurses employed in these two cities average $46.21 an hour or $96,110 a year, which is 8 percent less than the state average.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
1,250	$46.21	$1,848	$8,010	$96,110

4. New Bedford:

New Bedford, on the south coast of Massachusetts, has been nicknamed “The Whaling City” because it was one of the most important whaling centers in the world through the middle of the 19^th century. Two percent of the Bay State’s registered nurses work in New Bedford, and the average RN salary in New Bedford, MA, is $43.67 an hour or $90,840 annually. Bristol County, where New Bedford is located, is generally considered to be one of the least healthy counties in the Bay State, and the Mayo Clinic has dubbed it “a COVID hot spot.”

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
1,630	$43.67	$1,747	$7,570	$90,840

5. Springfield:

The average RN salary in Springfield, MA, is $42.04 an hour or $87,450 a year, which is 16 percent less than the average registered nurse salary in Massachusetts for all nursing specialties. Hampden County, where Springfield is located, consistently ranks last among the Bay State’s 14 counties in terms of health outcomes. Twenty-seven percent of the city’s residents live beneath the federal poverty line. Thirty percent of Hamden County’s residents are obese, putting them at risk for developing diabetes, and one-third of the county’s adults have been diagnosed with hypertension. Eight percent of the Bay State’s nursing workforce are employed in Springfield and the surrounding communities.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
7,490	$42.04	$1,682	$7,290	$87,450

6. Worcester:

Nine percent of Massachusetts’s registered nurses work in Worcester. The average salary of a registered nurse in Worcester is $47.38 an hour or $98,550 a year. The rate of poverty in Worcester and surrounding communities is 20 percent, which is nearly twice that of Massachusetts as a whole. Twenty-seven percent of Worcester residents are obese; obesity is linked to a multitude of negative health outcomes, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Asthma hospitalization rates in Worcester are also significantly higher than they are in the rest of the Bay State. Worcester’s top hospitals include UMass Memorial Medical Center, St. Vincent Hospital-Worcester, and Adcare Hospital of Worcester.

Employment	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
7,920	$47.38	$1,895	$8,210	$98,550

HIGHEST PAID REGISTERED NURSES IN MASSACHUSETTS

Highest Paying Registered Nursing Jobs In Massachusetts

The highest-paid registered nurses in Massachusetts in terms of specialization are pain management nurses who earn $143,020 annually. Other high-earning nurse specialists in the Bay State include ICU nurses ($133,170), neonatal nurses ($130,980), surgical nurses ($130,580), and labor and delivery nurses ($130,110).

Rank	Job Title	Annual Salary
1	Pain Management Nurse	$143,020
2	ICU Nurse	$133,170
3	Neonatal Nurse	$130,980
4	Surgical Nurse	$130,580
5	Labor And Delivery Nurse	$130,110
6	Geriatric Nurse	$129,860
7	Orthopedic Nurse	$126,450
8	ER Nurse	$122,700
9	Cardiac Nurse	$120,230
10	Nurse Consultant	$119,530

Highest Paying Metros For Registered Nurses In Massachusetts

Registered nurses who work in the Barnstable Town Area earn significantly higher salaries than registered nurses who work in other locations throughout the Bay State. Boston-based RNs earn $98,550 a year. Other cities where Massachusetts nurses earn high salaries include Leominster-Gardner ($96,180).

Rank	Metro	Annual Salary
1	Barnstable Town	$106,980
2	Boston-Cambridge-Nashua	$98,550
3	Leominster-Gardner	$96,180
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY COMPARISON IN MASSACHUSETTS

ADN VS. BSN Salary In Massachusetts

On average, registered nurses in Massachusetts who are graduates of BSN programs earn $16,900 more per year than registered nurses who are graduates of ADN programs. Earning potential isn’t the only reason why BSN degrees are advantageous for RNs in the Bay State, of course. Nurses with bachelor’s degrees have more opportunities for professional advancement.

ADN Salary	BSN Salary	How Much More will a BSN Earn
$89,140	$106,040	$16,900

RN Salary In Massachusetts VS. United States RN Salary

Massachusetts is one of the highest-paying states when it comes to RN salary. On average, Bay State RNs make salaries that are 17 percent higher than RN salaries throughout the nation as a whole. Of course, the cost of living in Massachusetts is 27 percent higher than it is in other parts of the U.S.

Massachusetts	United States	Comparison
		Number	%
$104,150	$89,010	$15,140	17.01%

RN Salary In Massachusetts VS. All Other Occupations In Massachusetts

The decision to pursue a nursing career really pays off for RNs based in Massachusetts. On average, their salaries are 36 percent higher than the average salary for all workers across the Bay State as a whole. The salaries of Massachusetts RNs are also 38 percent higher than the average salary for all workers across the U.S. ($75,447 a year).

Massachusetts RN	All Occupations	Comparison
		Number	%
$104,150	$76,600	$27,550	35.97%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

RN Salary In Massachusetts VS. Other Nursing Careers

Registered nurses in Massachusetts make salaries that are far less than the salaries that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) like nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners and nurse midwives earn. That’s because their mandated scope of practice does not allow them to make independent treatment decisions. On the other hand, RNs earn significantly more than nurse educators who aren’t part of the clinical workforce.

Rank	Job Title	Average Per Year	Comparison
			Number	%
1	Nurse Anesthetist	$204,690	-$100,540	-49.12%
2	Nurse Midwife	$143,870	-$39,720	-27.61%
3	Nurse Practitioner	$138,700	-$34,550	-24.91%
4	Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary	$106,690	-$2,540	-2.38%
5	Registered Nurse	$104,150	$0	0.00%
6	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse	$68,170	$35,980	52.78%
7	Nursing Assistant	$41,390	$62,760	151.63%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

RN Salary In Massachusetts VS. Other Healthcare Careers

RNs in Massachusetts earn 21 percent less than physician assistants. Like many APRNs, physician assistants are trained to work independently, making diagnoses and prescribing medications. According to Massachusetts law, however, physician assistants must be supervised by a physician. Nonetheless, the more comprehensive training that PAs receive qualifies them to earn higher salaries than registered nurses.

Rank	Job Title	Average Per Year	Comparison
			Number	%
1	Physician Assistant	$131,920	-$27,770	-21.05%
2	Radiation Therapist	$109,420	-$5,270	-4.82%
3	Registered Nurse	$104,150	$0	0.00%
4	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	$95,310	$8,840	9.27%
5	Dental Hygienist	$89,350	$14,800	16.56%
6	Radiologic Technologist and Technician	$85,800	$18,350	21.39%
7	Respiratory Therapist	$83,940	$20,210	24.08%
8	Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician	$80,870	$23,280	28.79%
9	Physical Therapist Assistant	$70,330	$33,820	48.09%
10	Dietitian and Nutritionist	$69,390	$34,760	50.09%
11	Emergency Medical Technician	$49,500	$54,650	110.40%
12	Medical Assistant	$46,130	$58,020	125.77%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

REGISTERED NURSE SALARY GROWTH IN MASSACHUSETTS

How Much Has The Registered Nurse Salary Grown In Massachusetts In The Past 5 Years (2018-2022)?

RN salaries have increased by a total of 17 percent in Massachusetts over the past five years. Although the nursing shortage Massachusetts has been grappling with over the past 10 years isn’t as acute as it has been in many other states, it’s still a factor that affects salaries. RN salaries are likely to continue increasing over the next five years.

Year	Salary	Growth
		Number	%
2018	$92,140	$2,810	3.15%
2019	$93,160	$1,020	1.11%
2020	$96,250	$3,090	3.32%
2021	$96,630	$380	0.39%
2022	$104,150	$7,520	7.78%
Overall Growth in Last Five Years		$14,820	16.59%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

How Much Will The Registered Nurse Salary Grow In Massachusetts In The Next 5 Years (2023-2027)?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2027, the salaries of Massachusetts-based registered nurses will grow by 12 percent in response to an increased demand for the services they provide. Nurses may also see more non-salary workplace perks like more flexible work schedules and new career development opportunities.

Year	Salary	Growth
		Number	%
2023	$106,060	$1,910	1.83%
2024	$108,160	$2,100	1.98%
2025	$110,510	$2,350	2.17%
2026	$113,230	$2,720	2.46%
2027	$116,400	$3,170	2.80%
Overall Growth in Next Five Years		$12,250	11.76%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

3 Reasons Behind The Strong Salary Growth For Registered Nurses In Massachusetts

Massachusetts RN salaries have risen over the past five years and in all likelihood, will continue to rise. Here are three reasons why:

1. Increased demand for RN services:

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, hospital systems throughout Massachusetts have struggled with RN shortages. Bay State nurses are contending with burnout, and many are rethinking their career choices. Offering higher salaries is a way to recruit and retain Massachusetts nurses.

2. The rise of nurse unions:

Nurse unions have a strong presence in Massachusetts, and nurse unions are strong advocates for pay increases. In January 2022, nurses at Worcester’s St. Vincent Hospital ended a 10-month strike that won them a 2-percent pay increase and better working conditions.

3. More nurses with BSN degrees:

As this article notes above, Massachusetts-based RNs with BSN degrees earn significantly higher salaries than RNS with ADN degrees. Increasingly, employers in the Bay State prefer to hire RNs with BSN degrees.

REGISTERED NURSE EMPLOYMENT IN MASSACHUSETTS

How Many Registered Nurses Are Currently Employed In Massachusetts?

Some 94,100 registered nurses are currently employed throughout Massachusetts. They’re the biggest segment of the Bay State’s healthcare labor force.

94,100

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

What Hospitals Are Hiring The Highest Number Of Registered Nurses In Massachusetts?

An overwhelming majority of RNs licensed in Massachusetts work in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area, so it’s not surprising that five Boston-based medical centers hire the highest numbers of registered nurses in the state. Massachusetts General Hospital comes in at number one probably because it is the largest hospital in the Bay State.

Rank	Hospital	City
1	Massachusetts General Hospital	Boston
2	Charlton Memorial Hospital	Fall River
3	Brigham and Women's Hospital	Boston
4	Baystate Medical Center	Springfield
5	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	Boston
6	UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus	Worcester
7	Lowell General Hospital - Main Campus	Lowell
8	Tufts Medical Center	Boston
9	Boston Medical Center	Boston
10	South Shore Hospital	South Weymouth

What Nursing Homes Are Hiring The Highest Number Of Registered Nurses In Massachusetts?

There are 393 nursing facilities in Massachusetts, 373 of which are certified for Medicaid and Medicare patients. While nursing homes are scattered throughout the state, the majority of them are located in the area around Boston.

Rank	Nursing Home	City
1	St. Patricks Manor Inc.	Framingham
2	Catholic Memorial Home Inc.	Fall River
3	Willowood of Pittsfield	Pittsfield
4	Care One at Redstone	East Longmeadow
5	Mi Nursing-restorative Center Inc	Lawrence
6	Courtyard Nursing Care Center	Medford
7	Care One at Lexington	Lexington
8	Dyouville Senior Care Inc.	Lowell
9	Marian Manor Inc	Boston
10	Care One at Essex Park	Beverly

What Are The Approximate Number Of Annual Job Openings For Registered Nurses In Massachusetts?

Every year, approximately 5,900 positions for nurses open up throughout the state of Massachusetts. While 1,0701,070 of these are newly created positions, 4,830 positions represent vacancies that occurred when nurses either retired, quit or otherwise removed themselves from the Massachusetts nurse workforce.

New Jobs	Replacement Jobs	Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)
1,070	4,830	5,900
(Source: careeronestop.org)

What Is The Job Outlook For Registered Nurses In Massachusetts?

The job outlook for registered nurses in Massachusetts is extremely positive. Between 2020 and 2030, the number of nursing positions throughout the state is projected to increase by 12 percent. It is likely that registered nurse salaries will continue increasing as well due to the high demand for nursing services and the pressures put upon employers by assertive nurse unions.

Employment		Employment Growth (2020-2030)
2020	2030	Number	%
87,860	98,560	+10,700	+12.18%
(Source: careeronestop.org)

Summing It Up

This article has been a deep dive into the question, “How much does a registered nurse make in Massachusetts?” As we have seen, RNs in the Bay State make handsome salaries but they must contend with a high cost of living that’s likely to increase if the inflation rate continues going up. Additionally, RNs outside the Boston area make salaries that are more in keeping with the average RN salary throughout the U.S. In the end, though, registered nurse salary in Massachusetts for 2024 should only be one of the factors you consider when you’re wondering whether working as an RN in the Bay State is the right move for you. If you possess empathy, patience and the ability to think quickly on your feet, it may well be.