
Nurses are an essential part of the healthcare system, providing direct patient care, educating patients, and acting as sympathetic caregivers. Registered nurses (RNs) work in various settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. In May 2019, registered nurses made up approximately 30% of hospital employment in the United States, with over 1.8 million jobs. The hospital environment offers nurses opportunities for career advancement, such as charge and floor nurse positions and management roles. However, the demand for and supply of nurses can be influenced by factors like the pandemic, potentially leading to shifts in care delivery and staffing levels in hospitals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of registered nurses in hospitals in the US in May 2019 | 1.8 million |
| Percentage of hospital employees who are registered nurses | 30% |
| Number of new registered nurse positions projected to open each year from 2023 to 2033 | 194,500 |
| Percentage increase in registered nurse employment from 2023 to 2033 | 6% |
| Median annual wage for registered nurses in 2024 | $93,600 |
| Mean annual wage for registered nurses in hospitals in 2019 | $79,400 |
| Average age of RN workforce | 44 years |
| Average age of RNs working in hospitals | 42.3 years |
| Average age of RNs working in non-hospital settings | 47 years |
| Percentage of NPs working in hospitals in 2018 | 35% |
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What You'll Learn
- Registered nurses made up 30% of hospital employment in 2019
- RNs work in hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools
- RNs working in hospitals are younger than those in non-hospital settings
- Hospitals employ almost two-thirds of the RN workforce
- The average annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024

Registered nurses made up 30% of hospital employment in 2019
Registered nurses made up 30% of hospital employment in the US in May 2019, with over 1.8 million jobs, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This made nursing by far the largest occupation in hospitals at that time. The annual mean wage for registered nurses in hospitals was $79,400.
Registered nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. They are responsible for patient care, educating patients about their health conditions, and acting as sympathetic caregivers. Nurses who work in hospitals usually work in shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be on call, meaning they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice.
The hospital environment offers nurses the opportunity to take on elevated roles such as charge and floor nurse, as well as management positions. Many nurses choose to continue their medical education and pursue higher-level medical degrees, such as physician assistants. However, some nursing graduates opt for other job options in the medical field outside of hospitals.
The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 194,500 openings for registered nurses are expected each year on average over the decade, with many of these openings arising from the need to replace retiring workers or those exiting the workforce. The pandemic may also have a long-term impact on the demand for and supply of nurses.
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RNs work in hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools
Registered nurses (RNs) work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. They provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions, and offer advice and emotional support to patients and their families. RNs also work in home healthcare services, providing care to patients in their homes.
RNs working in hospitals and nursing care facilities typically work in shifts to provide 24-hour coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays, and they may be on call. In hospitals, RNs may specialize in critical care, providing care to patients with serious and complex illnesses or injuries in intensive care units. Other specializations include genetics, neonatal care, nephrology, and rehabilitation nursing.
RNs working in physicians' offices, outpatient clinics, and schools generally have more regular business hours. In these settings, RNs may work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, or administrators. They may also specialize in areas such as oncology, geriatrics, or addiction medicine.
RNs are employed in large numbers by ambulatory healthcare services, including physicians' offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers. Job growth is expected in outpatient care centers, and RNs are also in demand in residential care facilities due to the preference of older adults to be treated in these settings.
RNs typically require a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. They must be licensed and often specialize in various areas of practice. RNs held about 3.3 million jobs in 2023, and employment is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, resulting in approximately 194,500 openings per year.
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RNs working in hospitals are younger than those in non-hospital settings
Registered nurses (RNs) work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. In May 2019, registered nurses made up about 30% of hospital employment, with over 1.8 million jobs in the United States. This made them the largest occupation in hospitals at the time.
RNs working in hospitals are, on average, younger than those working in non-hospital settings. The average age of RNs in hospitals is 42.3 years, while in non-hospital settings, it is 47.0 years. This difference in age can be attributed to the large number of RNs belonging to the baby boom generation retiring and being replaced by younger nurses in hospitals.
The demand for healthcare services is expected to increase due to the aging population and the rise in chronic conditions. As a result, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 194,500 openings for registered nurses expected each year. Many of these openings will likely arise from nurses transferring to different occupations or leaving the workforce.
While hospitals employ almost two-thirds of RNs, it is important to recognize that RNs interact with individuals in a wide range of settings. They provide direct primary care, supplement the primary care workforce, improve maternal health outcomes, and deliver acute and emergency care, among other vital services.
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Hospitals employ almost two-thirds of the RN workforce
Registered nurses (RNs) work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. While the hospital environment is often associated with RNs, it is important to note that they come into contact with individuals in a wide array of settings. In fact, hospitals employ almost two-thirds of the RN workforce.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses held about 3.3 million jobs in 2023. While the largest employers of registered nurses were in ambulatory healthcare services, including physicians' offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers, hospitals still made up a significant portion of RN employment. In May 2019, registered nurses held over 1.8 million jobs in hospitals, which was approximately 30 percent of total hospital employment. This made them the largest occupation in hospitals at the time.
The hospital setting offers RNs the opportunity to take on various roles, including charge and floor nurse positions, as well as management positions. Some RNs may also choose to continue their medical education and pursue higher-level degrees, such as becoming physician assistants. However, it is worth noting that not all RNs work in hospitals, as there are other job options in the medical field that are equally important and rewarding.
The average age of the RN workforce is just under 44 years, with those working in hospitals being slightly younger at an average age of 42.3 years. This suggests that a large number of RNs retiring over this decade will likely be from non-acute care settings. The employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth will result in approximately 194,500 openings for registered nurses each year, on average, over the decade.
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The average annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024
Registered nurses are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and schools. In May 2024, the average annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600. This wage is significantly higher than the median annual wage for all workers, which was $49,500 in May 2024. The wage for registered nurses can vary depending on factors such as location, specialty, setting, degree, certification, and experience.
Registered nurses with one year of experience or less can expect a median annual salary of around $63,000, while those with 11 years of experience can earn up to $93,000. The lowest 10% of registered nurses earned less than $66,030, while the highest 10% earned more than $135,320. RNs with over 10 years of experience can earn up to $30,000 more per year than those with just one year or less of experience.
The high earning potential of registered nurses can be attributed to the demanding nature of the profession, the extensive education and training required, and their critical role in healthcare. RNs provide direct patient care, coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about health conditions, and offer advice and emotional support. They may also work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, or hospital administrators.
The employment outlook for registered nurses is positive, with a projected growth of 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. About 194,500 openings for registered nurses are expected each year over this decade, making it a lucrative and secure career choice.
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Frequently asked questions
In May 2019, registered nurses held about 3.3 million jobs, accounting for 30% of hospital employment. Hospitals employed almost two-thirds of the RN workforce.
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 as of May 2024. In hospitals, the annual mean wage for registered nurses was $79,400 in 2019.
Nurses working in hospitals and nursing care facilities usually work in shifts to provide 24-hour coverage. This may include nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be "on-call", meaning they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice.











































