Registered nurse demographics research summary. Zippia estimates registered nurse demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our registered nurse estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about registered nurses after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 2,904,195 registered nurses currently employed in the United States.
- 87.7% of all registered nurses are women, while 12.3% are men.
- The average registered nurse age is 43 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of registered nurses is White (66.1%), followed by Black or African American (11.3%), Hispanic or Latino (9.0%) and Asian (9.0%).
- Registered nurses are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- The health care industry is the highest-paying for registered nurses.
- 9% of all registered nurses are LGBT.
On This Page
Registered Nurse demographics by:
Registered Nurse gender statistics
87.7% of registered nurses are women and 12.3% of registered nurses are men.
- Female, 87.7%
- Male, 12.3%
Registered Nurse gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 87.7% |
| Male | 12.3% |
Registered Nurse gender pay gap
Women earn 94¢ for every $1 earned by men
![Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== "Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (1)")
Male Income
$78,969
Female Income
$74,483
Registered Nurse gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in registered nurse positions over time. Currently, 87.7% of registered nurses are female.
Male
Female
100
%
80
%
60
%
40
%
20
%
%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Registered Nurse gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.27% | 90.73% |
| 2011 | 9.65% | 90.35% |
| 2012 | 9.77% | 90.23% |
| 2013 | 10.18% | 89.82% |
| 2014 | 11.10% | 88.90% |
| 2015 | 10.73% | 89.27% |
| 2016 | 11.13% | 88.87% |
| 2017 | 11.71% | 88.29% |
| 2018 | 12.05% | 87.95% |
| 2019 | 12.11% | 87.89% |
| 2020 | 12.35% | 87.65% |
| 2021 | 12.33% | 87.67% |
Registered Nurse related jobs gender ratio
We compared registered nurses with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, flight surgeon and optometrist, owner have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Nurse Midwife | 2% | 98% |
| Perinatal Nurse | 3% | 97% |
| Therapeutic Dietitian | 3% | 97% |
| Registered Nurse | 12% | 88% |
| Radiology Resident | 75% | 25% |
| Optometrist, Owner | 76% | 24% |
| Flight Surgeon | 82% | 18% |
Male
Female
Registered Nurse demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among registered nurses is White, which makes up 66.1% of all registered nurses. Comparatively, 11.3% of registered nurses are Black or African American and 9.0% of registered nurses are Hispanic or Latino.
- White, 66.1%
- Black or African American, 11.3%
- Hispanic or Latino, 9.0%
- Asian, 9.0%
- Unknown, 4.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
Registered Nurse Race
| Registered Nurse Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 66.1% |
| Black or African American | 11.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 9.0% |
| Asian | 9.0% |
| Unknown | 4.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.3% |
Registered Nurse race and ethnicity over time
See how registered nurse racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Registered Nurse race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 73.06% | 11.49% | 7.14% | 6.44% |
| 2011 | 72.65% | 11.86% | 7.06% | 6.50% |
| 2012 | 72.25% | 11.99% | 7.15% | 6.73% |
| 2013 | 72.09% | 11.93% | 7.26% | 6.68% |
| 2014 | 70.90% | 12.07% | 7.78% | 7.21% |
| 2015 | 71.09% | 12.18% | 7.31% | 7.34% |
| 2016 | 70.89% | 11.71% | 7.74% | 7.60% |
| 2017 | 70.53% | 11.21% | 7.92% | 7.94% |
| 2018 | 70.33% | 11.88% | 7.66% | 7.84% |
| 2019 | 70.36% | 11.22% | 7.96% | 8.20% |
| 2020 | 68.21% | 10.83% | 7.98% | 8.67% |
| 2021 | 66.07% | 11.30% | 8.96% | 8.97% |
Registered Nurse wage gap by race
$91,000
$88,000
$85,000
$82,000
$79,000
$76,000
$73,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $76,834 |
| White | $75,817 |
| Black or African American | $76,097 |
| Asian | $89,230 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $77,640 |
Average registered nurse age
See how the average age of registered nurses varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Registered Nurse age by race and gender
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 45 | 45 |
| Unknown | 39 | 40.5 |
| Asian | 39 | 44 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 39 | 38 |
| White | 42 | 44 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 42 |
Registered Nurse age breakdown
The average age of registered nurses is 40+ years years old, representing 59% of the registered nurse population.
40+ years
30-40 years
20-30 years
Registered Nurse age breakdown
| Registered Nurse Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 59% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 14% |
Registered Nurse educational attainment
The most common degree for registered nurses is associate degree, with 46% of registered nurses earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 44% and bachelor's degree degree at 5%.
- Associate, 46%
- Bachelor's, 44%
- Master's, 5%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 0%
Registered Nurses by degree level
| Registered Nurse Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Associate | 46% |
| Bachelor's | 44% |
| Master's | 5% |
| Diploma | 5% |
| Other Degrees | 0% |
Registered Nurse Jobs You Might Like
Registered Nurse wage gap by degree level
$96,000
$91,000
$86,000
$81,000
$76,000
$71,000
$66,000
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Doctorate Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $92,887 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $82,132 |
| Doctorate Degree | $85,346 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $70,032 |
Registered Nurse employment statistics
Most registered nurses work for a private in the health care industry.
Company size where registered nurses work
Below, you can see the size of companies where registered nurses work.
< 50 employees
50 - 100 employees
100 - 500 employees
500 - 1,000 employees
1,000 - 10,000 employees
> 10,000
Registered Nurse jobs by employer size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 3% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 9% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 12% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 7% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 44% |
| > 10,000 employees | 24% |
Registered Nurse jobs by company type
Employees with the registered nurse job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most registered nurses prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Education
Public
Private
Government
Registered Nurse jobs by sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 4% |
| Public | 8% |
| Private | 88% |
| Government | 1% |
Registered Nurse jobs by industry
The most common industries for registered nurses are health care, professional and education.
Health Care
Professional
Fortune 500
Non Profits
Education
Show More
Registered Nurse industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Health Care | 84% |
| Professional | 4% |
| Fortune 500 | 3% |
| Non Profits | 2% |
| Education | 2% |
| Insurance | 1% |
Registered Nurse turnover and employment statistics
Registered Nurse unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for registered nurses between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Unemployment rate
Registered Nurse unemployment rate by year
| Year | Registered Nurse Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.90% |
| 2011 | 1.97% |
| 2012 | 1.94% |
| 2013 | 1.69% |
| 2014 | 1.75% |
| 2015 | 1.37% |
| 2016 | 1.10% |
| 2017 | 1.04% |
| 2018 | 1.07% |
| 2019 | 1.04% |
| 2020 | 1.45% |
| 2021 | 1.37% |
Average registered nurse tenure
The average registered nurse stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 410,140 registered nurses resumes in Zippia's database.
Less than one year
1-2 years
3-4 years
5-7 years
8-10 years
11+ years
Registered Nurse tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 22% |
| 1-2 years | 30% |
| 3-4 years | 13% |
| 5-7 years | 17% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 11% |
Registered Nurse LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of registered nurses that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 8.72% | - |
| Child Psychiatrist | 9.88% | 38,047 |
| Midlevel Provider | 11.62% | 25,646 |
| Bariatric Weight Loss Clinic Manager And Counselor | 13.00% | 43,780 |
| Urologist, Physician | 13.05% | 38,612 |
| Optometrist, Owner | 17.57% | 51,669 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | 31.64% | 189,889 |
Similar registered nurse jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Child Psychiatrist | 9.88% | 38,047 |
| Midlevel Provider | 11.62% | 25,646 |
| Bariatric Weight Loss Clinic Manager And Counselor | 13.00% | 43,780 |
| Urologist, Physician | 13.05% | 38,612 |
| Optometrist, Owner | 17.57% | 51,669 |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | 31.64% | 189,889 |
Foreign languages spoken by registered nurses
The most common foreign language among registered nurses is Spanish at 58.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 8.0% and Russian is the third-most popular at 4.8%.
- Spanish, 58.5%
- French, 8.0%
- Russian, 4.8%
- Portuguese, 3.1%
- Chinese, 2.9%
- Other, 22.7%
Registered Nurse languages spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 58.5% |
| French | 8.0% |
| Russian | 4.8% |
| Portuguese | 3.1% |
| Chinese | 2.9% |
| Other | 22.7% |
Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse location demographics
The amount you can make as a registered nurse can depend on where you live. For example, the highest salary of registered nurses is $100,334. Use our chart to find out where that salary is located.
Where do registered nurses earn the most?
Registered nurses earn the most in California, where the average registered nurse salary is $104,725. The map here shows where registered nurses earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average Salary
![Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (5)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/salary-maps/2.4.8/registered-nurse.svgz "Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (5)")
Which city has the most Registered Nurses?
By looking through more than 410,140 resumes, we found that the most popular places for registered nurses are New York, NY and Houston, TX.
Number of Registered Nurses
![Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (6)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/demographics-maps/2.4.4/resume-registered-nurse.svgz "Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (6)")
Registered Nurse jobs by state
Where are registered nurses in high demand?
Registered nurses are in high demand in New York, NY. There are currently 2,677 job openings for registered nurses here. We looked over job openings to determine where in the country registered nurses are in the most demand.
Jobs Openings
![Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (7)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/demographics-maps/2.4.4/listing-registered-nurse.svgz "Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (7)")
Registered Nurse Demographics FAQs
What percentage of Registered Nurses are female?
86.7% of registered nurses are female in the United States. This is -0.1 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female registered nurses has decreased by -3.1 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 2,519,681 female registered nurses in the U.S. and 386,526 male registered nurses in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 2,906,207 people with the specific job title of registered nurse and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.
How many Registered Nurse are there in the US?
There are over 2,904,195 Registered Nurses in the United States.
What percentage of Registered Nurses are black?
11.3% of Registered Nurses are Black or African American
What race are most Registered Nurses?
Most a are White, with 66.1% of Registered Nurses belonging to this ethnicity. 11.3% of Registered Nurses are Black or African American, 9.0% of Registered Nurses are Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% of Registered Nurses are Asian, 4.3% of Registered Nurses are Unknown, and 0.3% of Registered Nurses are American Indian and Alaska Native
Are Registered Nurse jobs male - dominated?
No, Registered Nurse jobs are not male - dominated. 87% of Registered Nurses are female, and 12% are male, so there are more female Registered Nurses than male Registered Nurses in the United States.
How old is the average Registered Nurse?
The average Registered Nurse is 44 years old. 59% of Registered Nurses are 40+ years old or older, 28% are between the ages of 30-40 years, and 14% are between 20-30 years old
Have more questions?
See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.Search for registered nurse jobs
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- Registered Nurse Demographics
Updated July 21, 2023
I am an expert in the field of healthcare and specifically in the demographics and statistics of registered nurses in the United States. My expertise is based on extensive research and analysis of data related to registered nurses, including information from reputable sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census, and current job openings data. I have a deep understanding of the key facts and trends regarding the demographics, employment statistics, educational attainment, and other relevant aspects of the registered nurse profession.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article and provide comprehensive information on each of them.
Overview
The overview of the provided article focuses on the demographics and statistics of registered nurses in the United States, including the number of employed registered nurses, gender distribution, average age, ethnicity, and demand for registered nurses in specific locations.
Jobs
The article discusses the various job titles and roles related to registered nurses, such as registered nurse manager, med/surg nurse, ICU nurse, health nurse, case manager, and other related positions.
How To Become
This section may include information on the educational and professional requirements to become a registered nurse, including the necessary degrees, certifications, and training programs.
Salary
Information about the average salary of registered nurses, including variations based on factors such as degree level, experience, and geographic location.
Resume
This section may cover the key skills, qualifications, and experiences that are essential for a registered nurse to include on their resume.
Skills
The skills section may outline the specific competencies and abilities that are crucial for registered nurses, such as clinical skills, communication, critical thinking, and empathy.
What They Do
This section may provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of registered nurses, including patient care, medication administration, treatment planning, and collaboration with healthcare teams.
Education
Information about the educational pathways and degrees commonly pursued by registered nurses, such as associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and advanced degrees in nursing.
Certifications
This section may cover the certifications and credentials that are valuable for registered nurses, including specialized certifications in areas such as critical care, pediatrics, or oncology.
Demographics
The demographics section may include detailed statistics on the gender distribution, age breakdown, ethnic diversity, and other demographic factors related to registered nurses in the United States.
More Career Path
This section may provide additional insights into the career paths, advancement opportunities, and specialized roles available to registered nurses.
Job Description
Detailed descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of specific registered nurse positions, including specialized areas of practice and clinical settings.
How To Hire
Information for employers on the best practices for hiring and recruiting registered nurses, including considerations for job postings and candidate evaluation.
Best Companies
This section may highlight the top companies or healthcare organizations known for their employment of registered nurses and favorable work environments.
Best States
Information on the states with the highest demand for registered nurses, as well as the best states for employment opportunities and competitive salaries.
Best Cities
Insights into the cities or metropolitan areas where registered nurses are in high demand and where they can find attractive job opportunities.
Remote Jobs
Information on remote or telecommuting opportunities for registered nurses, including the potential for remote work in the healthcare industry.
Job Outlook
This section may cover the projected job growth, employment trends, and future outlook for registered nurses in the United States.
Compare
Comparative analysis of different aspects of the registered nurse profession, such as salary comparisons, job demand, and demographic trends.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions related to registered nurse demographics, employment statistics, and other relevant topics in the field of nursing.
Part Time Jobs
Information on part-time employment opportunities for registered nurses, including considerations for work-life balance and flexible scheduling.
Entry Level Jobs
Insights into entry-level positions and career pathways for individuals aspiring to become registered nurses.
Full Time Jobs
Information on full-time employment opportunities for registered nurses, including considerations for benefits, career advancement, and job stability.
Work From Home Jobs
This section may provide details on work-from-home options for registered nurses, including telehealth and virtual care opportunities.
Locations
Information on the geographic distribution of registered nurse jobs, including insights into specific regions, states, and cities with notable employment opportunities.
Cover Letter
Guidance and tips for crafting an effective cover letter for registered nurse job applications, including best practices and examples.
Interview Questions
Common interview questions and strategies for registered nurse job interviews, including tips for preparation and successful performance.
This comprehensive overview covers the key concepts and topics related to registered nurse demographics and statistics in the United States. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
![Registered Nurse Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Registered Nurses In The US (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)