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The Nursing 411
The 411 on nursing.

Beyond the listings — what nursing pays, where nurses actually work, and how licensure crosses state lines. The numbers behind the profession, in one place.

By the numbers
Nursing in the US, measured

Public federal data on what the profession pays, how fast it is growing, and where the work is. No estimates of our own.

$97,550
Median RN pay per year
$46.90 an hour · 2025
180,800
RN openings projected each year
Average per year, 2025–2035
43
Jurisdictions in the Nurse Licensure Compact
One licence, many states
Where nurses work
Share of the 3.5 million registered nurses employed in the US, by industry, 2025.
Hospitals 59%
Ambulatory care 19%
Nursing & residential care 6%
Government 5%
Educational services 3%
Largest employers only — the remainder work in other settings.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025 figures, 2025–2035 projections) · Nurse Licensure Compact, NCSBN. Retrieved August 2026.
01 · Licensing
Licence & the Compact

The Nurse Licensure Compact lets a nurse hold one multistate licence in their primary state of residence and practise in every other member jurisdiction — no second application, no second fee. Care is delivered under the practice laws of the state the patient is in.

43 jurisdictionsOne licencePrimary residence

Renewal cycles and required CEU hours are set by each state board and change from year to year. Check your own board for current requirements.

Nurse Licensure Compact
43 member jurisdictions
One multistate licence
Held in your home state
Practise across member states
02 · Career
Career Advice

From your first NCLEX to your first travel contract — practical, nurse-focused guidance on interviews, specialties and moving up.

New-gradSpecialty movesTravel
Read career advice
From the 411 blog
New-grad job hunt
Choosing a specialty
Breaking into travel
On the blog
Nursing News & the 411 Blog
The latest across the profession — trends, updates and stories for working nurses.
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