Average registered nurse compensation in New Jersey across seven career stages — from new grad RN to Chief Nursing Officer. Updated 2026 benchmarks to help you negotiate, plan, and grow.
RN Salary by Role in New Jersey
Registered nurses in New Jersey are paid above the national median, averaging roughly $87,000 a year for staff RN roles.
In New Jersey, compensation grows considerably as nurses gain experience and take on more responsibility. New grad RNs typically start around $64,000, with specialty nurses in units like the ICU, ER, or OR averaging closer to $98,000. Moving into leadership brings a meaningful jump — nurse managers average about $110,000, directors of nursing around $127,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $150,000 or more. For nurses pursuing advanced practice roles (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM), average pay in New Jersey runs near $110,000.
As a Nurse Licensure Compact member, New Jersey issues multistate RN and LPN licenses to residents, allowing nurses to practice across other compact states without applying for a separate license — a real advantage for travel nursing or remote telehealth work.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in New Jersey.
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