Registered Nurse Salary in Massachusetts: $102K Median

The average Registered Nurse salary in Massachusetts is $101,563 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $75,190 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $156,562 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Registered Nurses in Massachusetts earn approximately 18% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $101,563 in Massachusetts). Massachusetts's cost-of-living index of 130 partially offsets the higher salary.

Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Massachusetts grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $15,388 in 2025 to $101,563 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.

Top-paying Massachusetts metros for Registered Nurses: Boston ($112K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Massachusetts's top industries include Biotech/Pharma, Higher Education, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.

Yes, Massachusetts has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $101,563, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Massachusetts employers.

Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Massachusetts: $92,330.