Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in New York 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
Registered nurse salary data for New York in 2026: average pay $97K, city breakdowns, top employers, highest-paying specialties, and travel RN rates.
In this article
The average registered nurse salary in New York in 2026 is $97,200/year ($46.73/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from Northwell Health, NewYork-Presbyterian, NYC Health + Hospitals, and other major New York health systems. Salaries range significantly across the state based on city, employer, specialty unit, shift, and certifications held.
RN Salary by City in New York
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $119,000 | NYC Health + Hospitals + NYU Langone + Mount Sinai system |
| Long Island | $104,000 | Northwell Health, largest employer in the state |
| Westchester | $102,000 | WMC Health + NewYork-Presbyterian community sites |
| Albany / Capital Region | $82,000 | Albany Med + St. Peter's, lower COL vs downstate |
| Buffalo | $78,000 | Kaleida Health + Catholic Health, lower COL advantage |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in New York
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $245,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $128,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $119,000 |
| Cardiac Cath Lab RN | $124,000 |
| Emergency RN | $113,000 |
| NICU RN | $117,000 |
Top New York Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Northwell Health
- NewYork-Presbyterian
- NYC Health + Hospitals
- NYU Langone
- Mount Sinai Health
- Montefiore
- Albany Medical Center
Compact License Status
New York is not a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. RNs from other states must apply for New York endorsement before practicing, plan 3-8 weeks for processing.
New York RN Job Market Outlook
New York is not a compact state, endorsement via NYSED takes 4-8 weeks. NYC-based RNs benefit from 1199SEIU union contracts at major health systems, which enforce step-based pay scales and defined benefits. Travel demand: $2,500-$3,200/week in NYC market.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in New York
- Pursue specialty unit certification: CCRN (critical care), CEN (emergency), RNC-OB (L&D), CNOR (OR), each adds $6,000-$15,000 at major New York health systems
- Night and weekend differential: Typically +$3-$7/hr, translating to $6,000-$14,000 in annualized additional income at full-time hours
- Charge nurse role: +$2-$5/hr at most facilities; first step toward nurse manager track
- Travel or PRN status: Experienced New York RNs earn 30-50% more as travelers or per-diem staff
- BSN or MSN completion: Most major New York systems pay $1-$3/hr more for BSN-prepared nurses; MSN opens management and APRN pathways
Related: RN Salary by State 2026, Travel Nurse Salary Guide, ICU Nurse Salary 2026, NP Salary Guide.
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