2026 Salary — Oklahoma
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Oklahoma: $77K Median
Registered Nurses in Oklahoma earn between $57K and $118K per year.
That's -11% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Oklahoma is $76,602 per year — -11% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $56,711 (entry, 25th percentile) to $118,085 (90th percentile). Oklahoma's cost-of-living index is 87. State income tax applies.
Median
$76,602
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$57,850
Experienced
$93,450
Top 10%
$118,085
About Registered Nurses in Oklahoma
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Registered Nurse Salary in Oklahoma Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $75,742 |
| Tulsa | $75,742 |
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Oklahoma
Walk-away anchor: $69,638.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Oklahoma
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Oklahoma?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Oklahoma is $76,602 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $56,711 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $118,085 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Oklahoma compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Oklahoma earn approximately 11% less than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $76,602 in Oklahoma). Oklahoma's cost-of-living index of 87 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Oklahoma increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Oklahoma grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $11,606 in 2025 to $76,602 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Oklahoma cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying Oklahoma metros for Registered Nurses: Oklahoma City ($76K), Tulsa ($76K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Oklahoma?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Oklahoma's top industries include Energy (Oil & Gas), Aerospace, Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Oklahoma have state income tax?
Yes, Oklahoma has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $76,602, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
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 Oklahoma employers.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Oklahoma?
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 Oklahoma: $69,638.
Methodology
Oklahoma Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Oklahoma's state multiplier (0.89×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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