Registered Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) assess patient conditions, administer medications and treatments, operate medical equipment, help perform diagnostic tests, and coordinate care with physicians across hospitals, clinics, and home settings.
◇ External source · Role definition and national outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024)
Active jobs
48,247
Median salary
$95,040
$65.3k–$145.7k range
Posted this week
+13,890
Remote / telehealth
1.3%
644 open roles
SPECIALTIES · specialties
Registered Nurse specialties: openings and median pay
As of September 13, 2026, Registered Nurse hiring on SonicJobs spans 14 specialties. New Grad Nurse is the largest with 34,180 active openings. Advertised pay ranges from $80,448 (Pediatric Nurse) to $120,960 (Travel Nurse).
| Specialty | Open jobs | Median | Median vs. highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Grad Nurse | 34,180 | $91.7k | |
| Nurse Manager | 5,783 | $102.5k | |
| Operating Room Nurse | 5,588 | $108.8k | |
| Cardiac Nurse | 3,148 | $106k | |
| Medical-Surgical Nurse | 2,766 | $98.5k | |
| Critical Care Nurse | 2,736 | $112.1k | |
| Home Health Nurse | 2,289 | $85k | |
| Mental Health Nurse | 1,953 | $103.8k | |
| Emergency Room Nurse | 1,853 | $108.3k | |
| Oncology Nurse | 1,740 | $99.9k | |
| Pediatric Nurse | 1,474 | $80.4k | |
| Case Management Nurse | 966 | $92.2k | |
| Travel Nurse | 926 | $121k | |
| Labor & Delivery Nurse | 435 | $111.6k |
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · 14 specialties · updated .
01 · QUICK ANSWER
What does a Registered Nurse do?
Registered Nurses assess patients, administer medication and treatment, operate equipment, and coordinate care with physicians. On SonicJobs, hiring is strongest in California, Texas, and Florida, and most roles are full-time. Becoming an RN requires an Associate (ADN) or Bachelor (BSN) degree in nursing, passing the NCLEX-RN, and holding a state license.
02 · LIVE HIRING INSIGHTS
How many Registered Nurse jobs are open?
As of September 13, 2026, SonicJobs lists 48,247 active Registered Nurse jobs, with 13,890 posted in the last 7 days.
Posting freshness
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · updated .
03 · SALARY & PAY
How much do Registered Nurses earn?
As of September 13, 2026, Registered Nurse roles on SonicJobs advertise a median salary of $95,040 (10th–90th percentile $65.3k–$145.7k), based on 20,309 of 48,247 listings that disclose pay.
| Annual range | Jobs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-20k | 68 | 0% |
| 20k-40k | 148 | 1% |
| 40k-60k | 1,057 | 5% |
| 60k-80k | 3,477 | 17% |
| 80k-100k | 6,577 | 32% |
| 100k+ | 8,982 | 44% |
- Median salary
- $95,040 · n=20,309
- Average salary
- $103,600 · n=20,309
- Salary coverage
- 42.09% · n=48,247
- Job count
- 48247 · n=48,247
View all Registered Nurse jobs →
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · 42% of listings disclose salary · updated .
04 · TOP LOCATIONS
Where are Registered Nurses most in demand?
As of September 13, 2026, Registered Nurse demand on SonicJobs is highest in California, Texas, Florida, across 48,247 active listings.
| State | Open jobs | Median |
|---|---|---|
| California | 3,229 | $132.5k |
| Texas | 3,175 | $81.6k |
| Florida | 2,977 | $79.7k |
| New York | 2,368 | $104.2k |
| Pennsylvania | 1,860 | $86.5k |
| Georgia | 1,721 | $89.1k |
| Ohio | 1,611 | $79.5k |
| North Carolina | 1,525 | $90.3k |
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · counts by state · updated .
05 · HIRING COMPANIES
Which companies are hiring the most Registered Nurses?
As of September 13, 2026, the top Registered Nurse employers on SonicJobs are UHS, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Fresenius Medical Care.
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · employer counts · updated .
06 · EMPLOYMENT TYPES
What types of Registered Nurse jobs are available?
As of September 13, 2026, Full time roles make up 77% of 48,247 active Registered Nurse listings.
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · employment-type mix · updated .
08 · REMOTE & VISA
Are there remote or visa-sponsored Registered Nurse jobs?
As of September 13, 2026, 644 of 48,247 active Registered Nurse listings (1.3%) offer remote or telehealth work.
644
Remote / telehealth jobs
1.3% of active Registered Nurse listings.
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · remote flag from listings; visa sponsorship is an editorial estimate · updated .
10 · LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
What licenses and certifications do you need?
Every RN role requires an active state license, earned by completing an ADN or BSN and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification is commonly required, and hospital and critical-care employers frequently ask for additional certifications such as ACLS.
Licensure requirements per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and NCSBN — see Sources.
11 · BENEFITS & BONUSES
What benefits do Registered Nurse jobs offer?
As of September 13, 2026, Paid time off is the most commonly advertised benefit for Registered Nurse roles, appearing in 75% of listings that disclose benefits (48% of all Registered Nurse listings).
Source: aggregated from 48,247 live SonicJobs listings · benefit mentions · 48% of listings disclose benefits · updated .
12 · INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
What questions are asked in Registered Nurse interviews?
- Tell me about a time you handled a medical emergency or rapidly deteriorating patient.
- How do you prioritize care when managing multiple high-acuity patients?
- Describe a conflict with a physician or colleague and how you resolved it.
- How do you ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors?
- How do you handle a difficult or non-compliant patient or family member?
- Tell me about a time you advocated for a patient.
- How do you cope with the emotional demands and stress of nursing?
13 · FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Registered Nurse FAQ
Do you need a BSN to become a registered nurse?
No. You can qualify with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by passing the NCLEX-RN and obtaining a state license. Many employers — particularly Magnet-designated hospitals — prefer or require a BSN. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; American Association of Colleges of Nursing)
How long does it take to become a registered nurse?
Typically 2–4 years: about 2 years for an ADN or 4 years for a BSN, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN and obtaining a state license. Accelerated BSN programs for people who already hold a degree can take 12–18 months. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
What is the job outlook for registered nurses?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of registered nurses to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 openings each year on average. RNs held roughly 3.4 million jobs at a median wage of $93,600 per year (May 2024). Live, SonicJobs-advertised pay is shown in the salary section above and reflects employer-disclosed pay.
Do registered nurses work nights and weekends?
Often, yes. RNs in hospitals and other facilities that provide round-the-clock care commonly work night, weekend, and holiday shifts and may be on call. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Do registered nurse jobs offer sign-on bonuses?
Many do — sign-on bonuses are most common for night shifts, critical-care and ICU roles, and hard-to-fill locations — but the amount varies by employer and local market. Check individual SonicJobs listings for the current offer.
What is a travel nurse?
Travel nurses take short-term assignments (often about 13 weeks) at facilities with staffing shortages, typically earning more than permanent staff roles and often receiving housing or travel stipends. Pay varies widely by specialty, location, and demand — see the Travel Nurse figures above for medians advertised on SonicJobs.
SOURCES & METHODOLOGY
Sources & methodology
Live hiring, salary, location, employer, employment-type, remote, and benefit figures are aggregated from active Registered Nurse listings on SonicJobs and refreshed weekly; salary reflects employer-advertised pay where disclosed. Role definition, education, licensure, and national wage and employment outlook are sourced from the organisations listed under Sources.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses — Role definition and duties, entry education, licensure, national median wage ($93,600, May 2024) and employment outlook
- NCSBN — NCLEX Pass Rates — NCLEX-RN examination and RN licensure statistics
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing — Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet — ADN and BSN education pathways