Among all states, excluding Colorado, California has the highest employment level in registered nurses nationwide, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment data were released April 2 and reflect data collected since May 2024.
Here are employment levels for RNs in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Alabama — 53,340
Alaska — 7,040
Arizona — 64,430
Arkansas — 28,320
California — 326,720
Connecticut — 39,020
Delaware — 13,260
District of Columbia — 9,790
Florida — 218,100
Georgia — 97,410
Hawaii — 13,100
Idaho — 14,540
Illinois — 139,900
Indiana — 68,950
Iowa — 33,480
Kansas — 32,640
Kentucky — 48,170
Louisiana — 46,790
Maine — 16,280
Maryland — 48,980
Massachusetts — 90,190
Michigan — 104,210
Minnesota — 64,740
Mississippi — 29,400
Missouri — 74,270
Montana — 10,540
Nebraska — 24,180
Nevada — 27,570
New Hampshire — 16,580
New Jersey — 95,150
New Mexico — 17,510
New York — 204,120
North Carolina — 108,510
North Dakota — 11,000
Ohio — 138,360
Oklahoma — 32,870
Oregon — 39,900
Pennsylvania — 146,840
Rhode Island — 10,760
South Carolina — 50,300
South Dakota — 14,500
Tennessee — 67,990
Texas — 261,050
Utah — 25,780
Vermont — 7,240
Virginia — 77,420
Washington — 64,690
West Virginia — 21,740
Wisconsin — 64,960
Wyoming — 5,180
Editor’s note: This list excluded data from Colorado due to data quality concerns stemming from issues with the state’s unemployment insurance system modernization. Although the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages resumed publication for the state in February, the updated data could not be incorporated into the BLS release scheduled for April 2, according to the agency. Estimates for Colorado may be released at a later time.
