Nurse Workforce Statistics in the U.S.

REVA Air / April 28, 2026 /
Air Ambulance & Medical Transport

 

Registered nurses are the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system, but the latest nurse workforce statistics may shock you.

In this guide, we’re diving into the latest data, including how many nurses are currently working, where they’re located, and which trends are shaping the future of care.

At REVA, we provide life-saving air ambulance flights across the U.S., helping you reach the right provider and the right facility, wherever you need to go.

Need care that isn’t available nearby? Call us anytime, day or night to arrange your air ambulance. We’re here to take the weight off your shoulders.

 

The U.S. Nursing Workforce At A Glance

How many registered nurses are there in the U.S.?

There are approximately 4.7 million registered nurses in the United States.

What percentage of registered nurses are actively working in nursing?

Approximately 89% of licensed registered nurses (RNs) are actively employed in nursing roles.

What percentage of the nursing workforce is made up of nurse practitioners?

Of the 11.8% of the RN workforce that are APRNs, about 71.1% are certified nurse practitioners.

 

Nurse Demographics

What percentage of registered nurses are female?

Approximately 89% of registered nurses in the United States are female.

Is the percentage of male nurses increasing?

Yes. Between 2020 and 2022, the percentage of men in nursing roles increased from 9.4% to 11.2%.

What is the median age of registered nurses?

The median age of registered nurses in the United States is 46 years.

Is the U.S. nursing workforce getting older?

Yes, the U.S. nursing workforce has seen a 4% decline in nurses under age 35 compared to just a 1% decline among nurses over age 50, indicating fewer younger professionals entering the field.

What percentage of registered nurses are White?

Approximately 80% of registered nurses in the United States are White/Caucasian, making up the majority of the nursing workforce.

What percentage of registered nurses are Asian?

About 7.4% of registered nurses in the United States are Asian.

What percentage of registered nurses are Black or African American?

Approximately 6.3% of registered nurses in the United States are Black or African American.

What percentage of registered nurses are multiracial?

Around 2.5% of registered nurses in the United States identify as more than one race.

What percentage of registered nurses are Native American?

About 0.4% of registered nurses in the United States are Native American or Alaska Native.

What percentage of registered nurses are Hispanic?

About 6.9% of registered nurses in the United States identify as Hispanic.

What percentage of registered nurses are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander?

Approximately 0.4% of registered nurses in the United States are Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

 

Nursing Education & Qualifications

What percentage of registered nurses have a BSN or higher?

As of 2022, approximately 71.7% of registered nurses in the United States had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.

What percentage of registered nurses have degrees beyond a BSN?

As of 2022, 17.4% of registered nurses in the United States held a master’s degree, while 2.7% held a doctoral degree as their highest level of education.

What percentage of employers require or prefer BSN-prepared nurses?

Nearly 28% of employers require new nursing hires to have a bachelor’s degree, while about 72% strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses.

 

Nursing Workforce Trends & Shortages

What is the projected job growth rate for registered nurses?

Employment of registered nurses in the United States is projected to grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031.

How many new registered nursing jobs are open each year?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 194,500 job openings for registered nurses each year between 2020 and 2030. Overall employment is expected to grow by 9% during that period.

How many new nurses will be needed in the U.S. by 2030?

The United States is expected to need between 500,000 and 1 million new registered nurses by 2030 to meet growing healthcare demands and replace those leaving the workforce.

Are enough new nurses entering the workforce to replace those who are leaving?

No. Projections show that the U.S. will face a significant nursing shortage, estimating a gap of up to 1 million nurses due to retirements, workforce exits, and growing healthcare demand.

What percentage of nurses plan to retire within the next two years?

About 40% of nurses are considering leaving the profession in the next two years.

 

Nursing Workforce Distribution by Location

Which states have the highest number of registered nurses?

The following states have the highest number of registered nurses:

  • California: 592,136
  • New York: 531,321
  • Texas: 427,262

Which states have the lowest number of registered nurses?

The following states have the lowest number of registered nurses:

  • Wyoming: 8,784
  • Vermont: 11,745
  • North Dakota: 16,812

Which states have the highest nurse-to-population ratio?

The following states have the highest nurse-to-population ratios in the U.S. for every 100 people:

  • Washington, DC: 7.14
  • New York: 3.00
  • Alaska: 2.99

Which states have the lowest nurse-to-population ratio?

The following states have the lowest nurse-to-population ratios in the U.S. for every 100 people:

  • Utah: 1.38
  • Washington: 1.50
  • Idaho: 1.54

Which metro areas have the highest concentration of registered nurses?

The following metro areas have the highest concentration of registered nurses:

  • New York: 173,570
  • Los Angeles: 109,790
  • Chicago: 95,730

 

Nursing Salaries & Compensation

What is the average salary for registered nurses in the U.S.?

Registered nurses earned a median salary of $86,070 in 2023, depending on experience, location, and specialization.

Which metro areas have the highest average RN salaries?

The highest-paying metro areas for registered nurses include:

  • Urban Honolulu, HI: $107,680
  • Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI: $107,600
  • Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA: $101,710

Which nursing specialties have the highest average salaries?

As of 2026, the highest-paying nursing specialties include:

  • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: $223,210 per year
  • Pain Management Nurses: $133,181 per year
  • Nurse Practitioners: $129,210 per year

 

Nursing Work Environment & Satisfaction

What percentage of nurses are satisfied with their jobs?

Overall job satisfaction among registered nurses is relatively high. About 80% of RNs report satisfaction with their roles.

What is the turnover rate for registered nurses?

The turnover rate for registered nurses in the United States ranges from 8.8% to 37%, depending on the region, workplace setting, and specialty.

 

Where Nurses Work

How many registered nurses work in hospitals?

Nearly 55% of registered nurses in the United States work in general medical and surgical hospitals.

How many nurses work in long-term care or skilled nursing facilities?

Approximately 6% of nurses in the United States work in long-term care settings, including nursing and rehabilitation facilities.

 

Reach The Right Provider with A REVA Air Ambulance

When the provider you need is hours or states away, REVA provides life-saving care in the air to get you there safely.

Our air ambulance teams care for patients of all ages and acuity levels, connecting your loved one with the most acclaimed hospitals across the U.S. and worldwide.

Reach out anytime to arrange your air ambulance. We’re here to help you breathe easier.

 

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