An August 2024 study found that Minnesota is the best state for nurse pay when adjusted for cost of living. From the study:
Minnesota tops our list as the number one state for nurses with a COLI-adjusted salary 5.5% above the national average, home to two of the top 10 best cities for nurses. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic and a robust health care infrastructure contribute to this. Affordable cities and rural counties also contribute to a 5% lower-than-average cost of living. The average RN salary exceeds the national average by less than 1%. This combination of low cost of living and above-average salaries makes Minnesota the only state with a COLI-adjusted six-figure wage.
