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
35,450
Median salary
$97,047
$67k–$150k range
Posted this week
+13,797
Remote / telehealth
1.1%
400 open roles
SPECIALTIES · specialties
Registered Nurse specialties: openings and median pay
As of September 6, 2026, Registered Nurse hiring on SonicJobs spans 14 specialties. New Grad Nurse is the largest with 24,355 active openings. Advertised pay ranges from $82,050 (Pediatric Nurse) to $127,872 (Travel Nurse).
| Specialty | Open jobs | Median | Median vs. highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Grad Nurse | 24,355 | $92.4k | |
| Operating Room Nurse | 4,781 | $108.8k | |
| Nurse Manager | 4,611 | $106k | |
| Cardiac Nurse | 2,644 | $106k | |
| Medical-Surgical Nurse | 2,211 | $98.3k | |
| Critical Care Nurse | 2,125 | $110.9k | |
| Mental Health Nurse | 1,529 | $108.6k | |
| Home Health Nurse | 1,445 | $82.5k | |
| Emergency Room Nurse | 1,289 | $109.1k | |
| Oncology Nurse | 1,161 | $104.8k | |
| Pediatric Nurse | 1,103 | $82k | |
| Travel Nurse | 793 | $127.9k | |
| Case Management Nurse | 584 | $92k | |
| Labor & Delivery Nurse | 380 | $115.3k |
Source: aggregated from 35,450 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 6, 2026, SonicJobs lists 35,450 active Registered Nurse jobs, with 13,797 posted in the last 7 days.
Posting freshness
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · updated .
03 · SALARY & PAY
How much do Registered Nurses earn?
As of September 6, 2026, Registered Nurse roles on SonicJobs advertise a median salary of $97,047 (10th–90th percentile $67k–$150k), based on 13,699 of 35,450 listings that disclose pay.
| Annual range | Jobs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-20k | 59 | 0% |
| 20k-40k | 70 | 1% |
| 40k-60k | 664 | 5% |
| 60k-80k | 2,278 | 17% |
| 80k-100k | 4,175 | 30% |
| 100k+ | 6,453 | 47% |
- Median salary
- $97,047 · n=13,699
- Average salary
- $105,802 · n=13,699
- Salary coverage
- 38.64% · n=35,450
- Job count
- 35450 · n=35,450
View all Registered Nurse jobs →
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · 39% of listings disclose salary · updated .
04 · TOP LOCATIONS
Where are Registered Nurses most in demand?
As of September 6, 2026, Registered Nurse demand on SonicJobs is highest in California, Florida, Texas, across 35,450 active listings.
| State | Open jobs | Median |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2,475 | $134.1k |
| Florida | 2,385 | $80.6k |
| Texas | 2,377 | $82.5k |
| New York | 1,875 | $108.3k |
| Pennsylvania | 1,423 | $87.7k |
| Ohio | 1,292 | $79.5k |
| Georgia | 1,274 | $89.1k |
| North Carolina | 1,094 | $91.4k |
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · counts by state · updated .
05 · HIRING COMPANIES
Which companies are hiring the most Registered Nurses?
As of September 6, 2026, the top Registered Nurse employers on SonicJobs are UHS, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Fresenius Medical Care.
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · employer counts · updated .
06 · EMPLOYMENT TYPES
What types of Registered Nurse jobs are available?
As of September 6, 2026, Full time roles make up 77% of 35,450 active Registered Nurse listings.
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · employment-type mix · updated .
08 · REMOTE & VISA
Are there remote or visa-sponsored Registered Nurse jobs?
As of September 6, 2026, 400 of 35,450 active Registered Nurse listings (1.1%) offer remote or telehealth work.
400
Remote / telehealth jobs
1.1% of active Registered Nurse listings.
Source: aggregated from 35,450 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 6, 2026, Paid time off is the most commonly advertised benefit for Registered Nurse roles, appearing in 76% of listings that disclose benefits (46% of all Registered Nurse listings).
Source: aggregated from 35,450 live SonicJobs listings · benefit mentions · 46% 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