Nurse Salary After Tax: What RNs Actually Take Home in Every State (2026)
The national median RN salary is $87,480/year ($42/hr) according to the BLS. But gross salary isn't what pays your rent. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state income tax, take-home ranges from $60,200 in Hawaii to $70,372 in Texas or Washington — a $10,000+ swing on the exact same base salary. Here's the full after-tax picture for nurses in every major state.
RN Take-Home Pay by State — $87,480 Median Salary (2026)
All figures below are for a single filer using the 2026 standard deduction. Married filing jointly results in lower state taxes. Click any state for a full salary + hourly breakdown.
Sorted by net take-home (highest first). Click any state for the full after-tax breakdown. State tax estimates are approximate — local taxes not included.
California vs. Texas: The Real Nurse Salary Comparison
California is the highest-paying state for nurses in gross terms. But after taxes and cost of living, the picture is more complicated.
California
High gross, high taxes, very high housing costs. Strong income but tight in coastal metros.
Texas
Lower gross and lower taxes, but significantly lower housing costs. Strong real-dollar lifestyle in most Texas cities.
The California/Texas choice isn't just about taxes — it's about total financial picture. A nurse netting $82k in LA with $3,000/month rent has $50k left for everything else. A nurse netting $56k in Houston with $1,200/month rent has $41,600 left. The lifestyle gap is smaller than the salary gap suggests.
RN Pay by Experience Level — After-Tax Estimates
Net estimates for single filer in no-income-tax state. CRNA figures include advanced practice premium. Travel nurse gross includes taxable base only (excludes stipends).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a registered nurse take home after taxes?
On the national median RN salary of $87,480 (BLS 2024), a single filer in a no-income-tax state like Texas or Washington takes home roughly $70,372/year after federal income tax ($10,416) and FICA ($6,692). In California, with state income tax, take-home drops to approximately $62,700/year — a $7,672 difference on the same gross salary.
Do nurses make more in California or Texas after taxes?
California RNs earn a median of ~$127,000/year (BLS) vs. ~$74,100 in Texas — a $52,900 gross difference. However, California's state income tax (up to 9.3%) significantly reduces that gap. On California's median RN salary, take-home is roughly $88,000/year vs. $56,000 in Texas on Texas's median. The California premium is real, but cost-of-living (especially housing) often closes or reverses the gap.
What is the RN salary after tax in California?
The California RN median salary is approximately $127,000/year (BLS). After federal income tax (~$22,000), FICA (~$11,600), and California state income tax (~$11,300), take-home is roughly $82,000–$86,000/year for a single filer — about $6,800–$7,200/month. This is the pre-computed estimate on the national median; California's actual higher salary results in higher take-home.
How much is $42/hr after taxes for a nurse?
$42/hr × 2,080 hours = $87,480/year gross — the national RN median. After federal taxes and FICA in a no-tax state, take-home is about $70,372/year or $33.83/hr net. In California, net drops to approximately $62,700/year or $30.14/hr net. Use the state-by-state table above for your state's exact figure.
Do travel nurses pay more taxes?
Travel nurses earn a base hourly rate plus non-taxable stipends (housing, meals, incidentals). The stipends are not subject to income tax or FICA, making total compensation highly tax-efficient. A travel nurse earning $35/hr base + $1,500/month in stipends effectively keeps a higher share of gross pay than a staff nurse at $45/hr straight salary. However, travel nurses must maintain a "tax home" to qualify for tax-free stipends — consult a travel nurse tax specialist.
What nursing specialties pay the most?
Highest-paying nursing specialties: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) — $100–$120+/hr ($200k–$250k/yr); Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) — $55–$80/hr; Nurse Practitioner (general) — $50–$70/hr; ICU/Critical Care RN — $45–$65/hr; ER RN — $40–$60/hr; Travel RN — $55–$90/hr with stipends. Each specialty has a different path but CRNAs consistently top nursing pay charts nationally.
Calculate Your Nurse Take-Home Pay
See the exact after-tax breakdown for any RN salary level in any state: