RN Salary in New Jersey (2026): The Complete BLS-Anchored Guide
Last verified: April 23, 2026 — all pay figures anchored to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 29-1141 Registered Nurses, May 2024 release; union context from JNESO and HPAE collective-bargaining agreements; NLC status per NCSBN.
New Jersey is the third-highest-paying U.S. state for RN compensation (behind California and Hawaii, and above New York by a narrow margin on median pay). BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 reports a New Jersey state RN median annual wage of $97,8101 — approximately 14% above the national RN median of $86,070. The pay is driven by New Jersey's unique geographic position between the New York City and Philadelphia metros (generating labor-market competition with both), high cost of living, strong union density through JNESO and HPAE, and the scale of the state's major health systems — RWJBarnabas Health (largest NJ system), Hackensack Meridian Health, Atlantic Health System, Cooper University Health Care, and Virtua Health. New Jersey remains a non-compact licensing state. This guide is the complete New Jersey RN salary picture in 2026.
The Headline — New Jersey RN Pay in One Chart
BLS OEWS 29-1141 Registered Nurses, New Jersey state, May 2024 release:1
| Metric | New Jersey | U.S. median | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) annual | $97,810 | $86,070 | +14% |
| Mean annual | $102,680 | $94,480 | +9% |
| 10th percentile annual | $69,840 | $61,250 | +14% |
| 25th percentile annual | $83,240 | $72,800 | +14% |
| 75th percentile annual | $121,930 | $107,380 | +14% |
| 90th percentile annual | $142,220 | $132,680 | +7% |
| Median hourly | $47.02 | $41.38 | +14% |
| Employment | ~87,000 | ~3.3M | — |
New Jersey pay sits consistently above the national median across every percentile — the +14% wage lift is broad-based rather than concentrated at the top. The 90th-percentile gap narrows because coastal California / NYC metro ceilings compress the relative top-end advantage.
Why New Jersey Pays What It Does — The Structural Drivers
1. NYC and Philadelphia commuter-metro labor market competition. Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union, Passaic, Morris counties) is part of the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro statistical area. Southern New Jersey (Camden, Burlington, Gloucester counties) is part of the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington MSA. RNs in these commuter metros can commute to NYC or Philadelphia hospital employers — creating wage competition that lifts NJ hospital pay across the board.
2. High cost of living. New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the U.S. and among the highest housing costs nationally. Nominal RN wages reflect the cost-of-living premium. Suburban Bergen, Monmouth, and Morris counties are particularly expensive; southern and central NJ metros are more moderate.
3. JNESO and HPAE union density. Two major unions represent NJ RNs:
- JNESO (Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization) — District Council 1 of IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers). Represents approximately 5,000 NJ RNs concentrated at RWJBarnabas Health facilities (Jersey City Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center Livingston, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center), University Hospital Newark, CarePoint Health, and others.2
- HPAE (Health Professionals and Allied Employees) — AFT-affiliated. Represents approximately 14,000 NJ healthcare professionals including RNs at Hackensack Meridian's Palisades Medical Center and Mountainside Medical Center, Saint Peter's University Hospital, Inspira facilities, Englewood Health, and others.3
Combined JNESO + HPAE cover approximately 18,000–20,000 NJ healthcare workers, making New Jersey one of the more unionized RN markets in the U.S. — below California / New York / Minnesota / Washington but well above the national average. Union-facility pay typically runs 8–15% above non-union equivalents at similar acuity.
4. Major health system scale and consolidation.
- RWJBarnabas Health — the largest NJ health system, formed from the 2016 merger of Robert Wood Johnson Health System and Barnabas Health. 12 acute-care hospitals including Newark Beth Israel, Saint Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston), Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Brunswick), Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Community Medical Center (Toms River), and Clara Maass Medical Center.4
- Hackensack Meridian Health — formed from the 2016 merger of Hackensack University Health Network and Meridian Health. 17 hospitals concentrated in Bergen, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union counties including Hackensack University Medical Center (flagship), Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, Pascack Valley Medical Center, JFK University Medical Center, and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital.
- Atlantic Health System — Morristown Medical Center (flagship), Overlook Medical Center (Summit), Chilton Medical Center (Pompton Plains), Newton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center, Goryeb Children's Hospital.
- Cooper University Health Care (Camden) — southern NJ academic medical center; home to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.
- Virtua Health — south NJ non-profit; 5 hospitals across Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties.
- Inspira Health — south NJ (Vineland, Mullica Hill, Woodbury, Elmer).
- Englewood Health — Bergen County.
- St. Joseph's Health (Paterson) — Passaic County.
- University Hospital Newark — state-designated safety-net and Level I trauma center; JNESO-represented.
- CHOP Network — South NJ pediatric care extension (CHOP HQ is in Philadelphia).
- Holy Name Medical Center (Teaneck) — Bergen County independent.
5. Non-compact licensing reality. New Jersey is not a Nurse Licensure Compact member.5 The New Jersey Board of Nursing issues single-state licenses. Compact legislation has been introduced repeatedly but has not advanced to law as of April 2026.
6. No state-ratio law. New Jersey does not have statutory nurse-to-patient ratios. NJ Senate Bill 304 / Assembly Bill 2893 ("Safe Patient Care Act") has been introduced across multiple sessions to establish ratios similar to California's AB 394, with ongoing JNESO and HPAE advocacy. As of April 2026, no statutory-ratio law has been enacted.
Metro Breakdown — All BLS-Reported New Jersey Areas
New Jersey metros with BLS OEWS 29-1141 published data (May 2024) — New Jersey is primarily covered through its position within the NYC and Philadelphia MSAs, with additional data for standalone NJ metro divisions:1
| Metro / Metropolitan Division | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark Metropolitan Division (part of NY–NJ–PA MSA) | $49.79 | $103,560 | ~44,000 | Northern NJ core. Essex + Hudson + Morris + Sussex + Union counties. RWJBarnabas + Atlantic Health + Hackensack Meridian + University Hospital Newark. |
| Nassau County–Suffolk County (NY; includes NY-side NJ commute) | — | — | — | Some NJ RNs commute to LI (see NY guide). |
| Camden Metropolitan Division (part of Philadelphia MSA) | $44.05 | $91,620 | ~16,000 | South NJ core. Camden + Burlington + Gloucester + Salem counties. Cooper + Virtua + Jefferson Cherry Hill + Inspira. |
| Trenton–Princeton | $45.27 | $94,160 | ~4,500 | Capital NJ. Capital Health System + Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center + Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. |
| Atlantic City–Hammonton | $43.94 | $91,390 | ~3,500 | AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (Geisinger-affiliated) + Shore Medical Center. |
| Vineland–Bridgeton | $40.49 | $84,210 | ~2,000 | Inspira Vineland. |
| Ocean City | $41.82 | $86,990 | ~1,000 | Shore Medical Center + AtlantiCare. |
The Newark Metropolitan Division (~$103K median) dominates NJ employment and pay. The Camden Metropolitan Division captures south NJ; standalone Trenton, Atlantic City, Vineland, and Ocean City are smaller markets with BLS-published data.
New Jersey Pay by Care Setting
Base pay varies by care setting on top of the state BLS median. Typical 2026 New Jersey base ranges (before differentials), Newark Metropolitan Division:
| Care setting | Typical 2026 NJ base (Newark MD) | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care med-surg / stepdown | $85,000–$120,000 | Hub F acute |
| ICU | $95,000–$140,000 | Hub F ICU |
| ED | $90,000–$130,000 | Hub F ED |
| OR / perioperative | $92,000–$130,000 | Hub F OR |
| L&D | $92,000–$130,000 | Hub F L&D |
| Pediatric specialty | $95,000–$140,000 | Hub F pediatric |
| Ambulatory | $80,000–$110,000 | Hub F ambulatory |
| Home health | $82,000–$110,000 | Hub F home health |
| Hospice | $80,000–$105,000 | Hub F hospice |
| School nursing | $70,000–$110,000 (10-month contract) | Hub F school |
Shift differentials typical at NJ union-represented facilities: night +$4–$8/hour, weekend +$3–$6/hour, charge +$2–$5/hour, specialty-cert stipend codified in JNESO and HPAE contracts. South NJ (Camden MD) typically runs 8–12% below north NJ (Newark MD).
Top New Jersey Employers — 2026 Pay Landscape
RWJBarnabas Health — largest NJ system; 12 acute-care hospitals post-2016 merger. Newark Beth Israel + Saint Barnabas Medical Center Livingston + RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick + Monmouth Medical Center + Jersey City Medical Center + Community Medical Center (Toms River) + Clara Maass + Trinitas (Elizabeth). JNESO-represented at multiple facilities.
Hackensack Meridian Health — 17 hospitals post-2016 merger. Hackensack University Medical Center (flagship) + Jersey Shore University Medical Center + Ocean University Medical Center + Pascack Valley + JFK University Medical Center + K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital + others. HPAE-represented at Palisades Medical Center and Mountainside Medical Center.
Atlantic Health System — Morristown Medical Center (flagship) + Overlook Medical Center (Summit) + Chilton Medical Center (Pompton Plains) + Newton Medical Center + Hackettstown Medical Center + Goryeb Children's Hospital. Strong Magnet designation.
Cooper University Health Care (Camden) — south NJ academic medical center; home to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper (partnership with University of Texas MD Anderson). Level I trauma.
Virtua Health — south NJ non-profit; 5 hospitals (Virtua Marlton, Virtua Voorhees, Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Camden, Virtua Mount Holly, Virtua Willingboro).
Inspira Health — south NJ (Vineland, Mullica Hill, Woodbury, Elmer).
Englewood Health — Bergen County independent; HPAE-represented.
St. Joseph's Health (Paterson) — Passaic County Catholic non-profit.
University Hospital Newark — state-designated safety-net + Level I trauma center. JNESO-represented. Pension access.
Saint Peter's University Hospital (New Brunswick) — HPAE-represented.
Holy Name Medical Center (Teaneck) — Bergen County independent.
Valley Health System (Ridgewood) — Valley Hospital + Valley Home Care.
Capital Health System (Trenton / Hopewell) — Capital Health Regional Medical Center + Capital Health Medical Center-Hopewell.
CentraState Healthcare (Freehold — Atlantic Health affiliated).
CarePoint Health (Hudson County) — Bayonne Medical Center + Christ Hospital + Hoboken University Medical Center. JNESO-represented at some facilities.
AtlantiCare (Atlantic County — Geisinger-affiliated).
VA Medical Centers (East Orange, Lyons) — federal pay scale + federal pension.
Compare specific facilities at Hospital Pay Band Comparator.
Specialty Certifications — What They Stack on New Jersey Base
JNESO and HPAE codify specialty-cert differentials in collective agreements. Non-union NJ facilities typically match to stay competitive.
- CCRN — AACN; NJ differential typically $1.50–$2.75/hour at union and Magnet facilities.
- CEN — BCEN; NJ differential typically $1.25–$2.25/hour.
- OCN — ONCC; NJ differential typically $1.25–$2.50/hour at MD Anderson at Cooper / RWJBH Rutgers Cancer Institute / Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center programs.
- CNOR — CCI; NJ differential typically $1.25–$2.25/hour + RNFA pathway.
- PCCN — AACN; NJ differential typically $1–$2/hour.
- CMSRN — MSNCB; NJ differential typically $0.75–$1.75/hour.
- RNC-OB / C-EFM / RNC-NIC / CPN / TCRN / CPEN — codified at union facilities and Magnet-designated hospitals.
Model at Specialty Cert Worth-It.
Travel Nurse Baseline — New Jersey Comparison
New Jersey is a high-rate travel market, benefiting from NYC / Philadelphia metro wage spillover and union-driven pay-floor lift.
Typical 2026 weekly gross for experienced travelers on New Jersey contracts (Newark MD):
| Specialty | Weekly gross (typical) | Weekly gross (crisis rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Med-surg | $2,100–$2,600 | $2,900–$3,400 |
| Telemetry/PCU | $2,300–$2,800 | $3,100–$3,600 |
| ED | $2,400–$3,000 | $3,300–$3,800 |
| ICU | $2,500–$3,100 | $3,400–$4,000 |
| CVICU/NICU/PICU | $2,700–$3,400 | $3,700–$4,300 |
| L&D | $2,300–$2,900 | $3,200–$3,700 |
| OR | $2,400–$3,000 | $3,300–$3,800 |
South NJ (Camden MD) contracts typically run 10–15% below north NJ (Newark MD) rates.
Important: New Jersey is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).5 Travel RNs assigned to New Jersey need a New Jersey-issued single-state license; NJ Board of Nursing processing is typically 4–10 weeks. Agencies reimburse licensing costs.
Real take-home after IRS Publication 463 tax-home compliance, NJ housing cost (high, particularly Bergen / Monmouth / Morris counties), NJ state income tax (graduated up to 10.75%), and contract-specific terms typically runs 25–35% below headline — the gap is wider than most states due to high cost of living. Run at Travel Nurse Contract Analyzer.
New Jersey RN Licensing — Non-Compact State
New Jersey is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state. The New Jersey Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs) issues single-state RN licenses.5 Practical implications:
- Out-of-state RNs moving to New Jersey or accepting NJ travel contracts must obtain a New Jersey RN license by endorsement — typically 4–10 weeks processing.
- New Jersey RNs cannot practice in NLC states on their NJ license; need separate state licenses or compact-state residency.
- Compact legislation has been introduced repeatedly in the NJ Legislature but has not advanced to law.
Full New Jersey licensing detail: New Jersey Nurse Licensing Guide.
Career Lattice — How New Jersey RNs Grow Pay
Clinical ladder (typical Magnet hospital structure): Clinical Nurse I → II → III → IV → V. BSN + specialty cert + professional activity required for ladder advancement. NJ Magnet hospitals (Morristown Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center Livingston, Hackensack University Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Englewood Health, CHOP at Cooper) have competitive ladder structures. JNESO and HPAE contracts often codify ladder pay differentials.
APRN track — MSN/DNP → FNP / AGPCNP / AGACNP / PMHNP / CNM / CRNA / PNP. New Jersey grants APRN prescriptive authority under a collaborative-practice-protocol framework; full practice authority has not been enacted as of April 2026, though legislation has been introduced repeatedly.
Public-sector — University Hospital Newark (state-employer), VA facilities (East Orange + Lyons), Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences-affiliated facilities offer pension access (PERS, federal).
Model educational investment ROI at BSN-to-MSN ROI.
Regional Realities — Cost-of-Living Adjustment
New Jersey has one of the highest cost-of-living-to-nominal-wage ratios in the country — nominal wages are strong, but housing, property tax, and commuting costs compress real purchasing power:
- Bergen / Morris / Monmouth counties (Newark MD north suburbs): Nominal pay highest ($100K+ median); housing very expensive; net purchasing power moderate.
- Essex / Hudson / Union counties (Newark MD urban core): Competitive pay; housing moderate-to-high depending on municipality.
- Central NJ (Mercer / Middlesex / Somerset): Competitive pay; housing high but more moderate than north.
- Camden MD / South NJ: Nominal pay 10–15% below north; housing meaningfully more affordable. Net purchasing power often strongest in south NJ.
- Atlantic / Cape May counties (shore metros): Pay $86,000–$91,000; housing moderate outside coastal resort areas.
Model net purchasing power at RN Salary by State with a New Jersey cost-of-living overlay.
FAQ
What's the median RN salary in New Jersey in 2026? BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 release: $97,810 median New Jersey RN annual wage.1 Mean: $102,680. 90th percentile: $142,220.
Which New Jersey metro pays the most? Newark Metropolitan Division (part of NY–NJ–PA MSA): $103,560 median annual (highest NJ region). Trenton–Princeton: $94,160. Camden Metropolitan Division: $91,620.
Is New Jersey in the Nurse Licensure Compact? No. Non-compact. Out-of-state RNs need NJ license by endorsement (4–10 week processing). NJ RNs need separate state licenses to practice outside NJ.5
How do JNESO and HPAE affect NJ RN pay? JNESO (~5,000 NJ RNs, IUOE-affiliated) represents nurses at RWJBarnabas, University Hospital Newark, CarePoint. HPAE (~14,000 NJ healthcare professionals including RNs, AFT-affiliated) represents Hackensack Meridian Palisades and Mountainside, Saint Peter's, Inspira, Englewood, and others. Union-facility pay typically 8–15% above non-union.23
How does NYC and Philadelphia metro adjacency affect NJ pay? Northern NJ (Newark MD) is part of the NYC MSA; southern NJ (Camden MD) is part of the Philadelphia MSA. RNs can commute to NYC or Philadelphia hospital employers, creating wage competition that lifts NJ pay across the board.
Does New Jersey have a staffing-ratio law? No. Safe Patient Care Act legislation (SB 304 / AB 2893) has been introduced repeatedly with JNESO and HPAE advocacy but has not advanced to law as of April 2026. Hospital staffing is set by employer policy and collective agreements.
How much do NJ travel nurses earn? Newark MD weekly gross (2026): $2,100 (med-surg) to $3,400 (CVICU/NICU crisis). Camden MD 10–15% below. Real take-home after NJ housing + state income tax (up to 10.75%) typically 25–35% below headline — wider than most states due to high COL.
Is specialty certification worth it in New Jersey? Yes. JNESO and HPAE codify differentials; non-union facilities match to compete. CCRN / CEN / OCN / CNOR / PCCN / CMSRN / RNC-OB / RNC-NIC all stack.
Are public-sector NJ RN jobs competitive? Yes. University Hospital Newark (state), VA (East Orange, Lyons), Rutgers-affiliated facilities offer pay + pension (PERS / federal) + strong benefits.
What about CRNA pay in New Jersey? CRNAs in NJ typically earn $230,000–$360,000 base in 2026; top academic and independent-practice settings reach $400,000+. NJ CRNAs practice under physician supervision (NJ has not adopted full practice authority for CRNAs as of 2026).
Sources
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), "29-1141 Registered Nurses," May 2024 data release, New Jersey state and metropolitan-division tables. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nj.htm and https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm ↩↩↩↩
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JNESO (Jersey Nurses Economic Security Organization — District Council 1 of IUOE). https://www.jneso.org/ ↩↩
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HPAE (Health Professionals and Allied Employees — AFT-affiliated). https://www.hpae.org/ ↩↩
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RWJBarnabas Health — Organizational Overview and Hospital Network. https://www.rwjbh.org/about-us/ ↩
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NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact — New Jersey status; New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Board of Nursing. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm and https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur ↩↩↩↩
