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Registered Nurse Salary in Massachusetts 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Massachusetts (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Massachusetts in 2026 is $100,400/year ($48.27/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health, and other major Massachusetts health systems. Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top five states for RN pay nationally, driven by the density of academic medical centers in the Boston metro.
RN Salary by City in Massachusetts
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Metro | $110,200 | Mass General Brigham, BIDMC, Tufts, Boston Children's |
| Cambridge / Somerville | $107,500 | Cambridge Health Alliance, Spaulding Rehab |
| Worcester | $93,800 | UMass Memorial, St. Vincent Hospital |
| Springfield / Western MA | $83,500 | Baystate Health, Mercy Medical Center |
| Lowell / Lawrence | $88,000 | Lowell General, Lawrence General |
| New Bedford / Fall River | $84,200 | Southcoast Health, Charlton Memorial |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Massachusetts
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $228,000 |
| Cardiac / Cath Lab RN | $116,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $113,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $109,000 |
| Emergency RN | $104,000 |
| Oncology RN | $105,000 |
| NICU RN | $108,000 |
Top Massachusetts Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Mass General Brigham — largest health system in New England; includes Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) — Harvard-affiliated, strong pay and academic reputation
- UMass Memorial Health — central MA anchor employer, state's only academic medical center outside Boston
- Tufts Medical Center — downtown Boston, competitive base pay
- Boston Children's Hospital — premier pediatric destination; NICU and PICU specialties earn a premium
- Baystate Health — western Massachusetts; smaller-market rates but strong benefits
Compact License Status
Massachusetts is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). RNs relocating to Massachusetts or adding it to a travel assignment must obtain a Massachusetts-specific license through the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN). Endorsement processing typically takes 4–10 weeks. Fingerprint-based background check and NCLEX verification required.
Massachusetts RN Job Market Outlook
Massachusetts has one of the highest nurse-to-population ratios in the country, yet persistent demand remains in ICU, OR, Cath Lab, and home health — particularly in western Massachusetts outside Springfield. The non-compact status restricts travel RN supply, driving rates to $2,600–$3,600/week in the Boston metro. MNA contracts at many Boston-area hospitals set pay floors and nurse-to-patient ratios that protect bedside nurses.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Massachusetts
- Target academic medical centers: Mass General, Brigham and Women's, and BIDMC pay 10–20% above community hospital rates
- Pursue specialty certifications: CCRN, CEN, CNOR, RNC-OB each add $6,000–$14,000/year at major health systems
- Explore MNA union hospitals: Massachusetts Nurses Association contracts include mandatory overtime protections and longevity pay steps
- Consider travel nursing: Non-compact status restricts supply; Boston travel rates are among the highest in the Northeast
- Leverage academic career ladders: Clinical Nurse III/IV programs at Harvard-affiliated hospitals reward BSN and MSN with meaningful pay bumps
Related: RN Salary New York 2026, RN Salary Pennsylvania 2026, RN Salary Ohio 2026.
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