Registered Nurse Salary in Boston, MA — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Boston's cost of living (index: 162). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Boston — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Boston
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Boston
Boston has a metro population of 4,920,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.3% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Boston
Other Professions in Boston
Registered Nurse Salary — Other Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Boston, MA?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Boston is $139,433 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Boston's cost of living index (162). The typical salary range runs from $111,602 (25th percentile) to $174,458 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $214,942.
Is Boston affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $139,433 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Boston would spend approximately 23.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($2,750/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Boston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $680,000 is 4.9× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Boston's overall income?
Boston's median household income is $89,400. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $139,433 earns 56.0% more than the typical Boston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.