What RNs earn in Boston
Registered nurses in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro earn a median of $106,180 a year, 9% above the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $94,870 and $153,380, so experience, specialty and shift differentials can move you a long way inside that range. Among the 60 metro markets The RN Network tracks, Boston ranks #11 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,180 | $94,870 – $153,380 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,480 | $134,350 – $172,040 |
| Nurse Midwife | $174,870 | $139,640 – $176,370 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Cost of living and the Boston nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $2,941 a month in Boston, which is roughly 33% of a median RN salary before taxes. Housing takes a big bite here, which makes sign-on bonuses, housing stipends and shift differentials worth pushing for.
About 64,240 RNs work in this metro, the #7 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 68 healthcare employers in Boston, Cambridge and Newton, including 28 behavioral health facilities, 16 long-term care facilities, 15 hospitals and 7 dialysis centers.
Hospitals hiring nurses in Boston
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in Boston
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Hiring nurses in Boston?
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Career advice for Boston nurses
Watch the latest episode of Nursing Matters, the show that helps nurses find the right job, land the offer and grow their careers.
You Passed the NCLEX. Can You Lose This License? Nursing Matters Episode 102626
Latest article
Medical Surgical Nurse Career: The Leadership Roles Panels Count
Happy Medical-Surgical Nurses Week, which the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses celebrates November 1 through 7 and which opens today.
Read the article →Common questions about nursing in Boston
How much do registered nurses make in Boston?
The median RN salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro is $106,180 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $94,870 and $153,380.
What do nurse practitioners earn in Boston?
Nurse practitioners in the Boston metro earn a median of $147,480 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in Boston?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $2,941 a month in Boston, roughly 33% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in Boston?
Hospitals in the Boston area include Brigham and Women'S Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, New England Baptist Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
How do I find a nursing job in Boston?
Browse current Massachusetts openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in Boston can find you, and compare pay using the Massachusetts salary guide.