HealthcareOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Registered Nurse Salary in Boston

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$170,173/yr

Typical range: $159,483 $187,935

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Registered Nurse Salary Progression in Boston

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$93,064$7,755
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$114,335$9,528+23%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$126,744$10,562+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$140,393$11,699+51%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$170,173$14,181+83%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$195,699$16,308+110%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$202,081$16,840+117%
Current Salary
$170,173
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $82/hr
Next Level Target
$195,699
Principal · 14
+$26Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
42/100
Below Average
+6% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Registered Nurse salary in Boston, MA?

Staff / Lead Registered Nurses in Boston, MA earn approximately $170K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Registered Nurse make per hour in Boston, MA?

Based on $170K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $82/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Registered Nurse in Boston, MA?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Registered Nurse in Boston, MA earns $159K–$188K/yr.