Registered Nurse Salary in Elk River, MN: $106,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Elk River, MN earns a median $106,313/year (≈ $51.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $107,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Elk River, Minnesota can expect a competitive median annual salary of $106,313 in 2026, which is notable when compared to the national median of $102,730. This figure reflects estimated local compensation trends adjusted for regional costs, with a salary range spanning from $80,802 at the 10th percentile to $150,150 at the 90th percentile. Many nurses enhance their earnings through specialty certifications such as CCRN or CEN, which can command additional premiums on base pay. As Elk River continues to evolve, the local demand for skilled nursing professionals remains strong, positioning them favorably for career advancement.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,802 | $38.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,553 | $43.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,313 | $51.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,711 | $56.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,150 | $72.19 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,348 (2026 est.). At $106,313, the local median is 3.49% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Elk River median: $106,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $108,482 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +3.49% more |
Registered Nurses in Elk River, MN earn a median of $106,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $108,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $106,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,856
2025 BLS Actual
$100,952
2026 Current Est.
$106,313
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,856 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,749 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,952 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $75,856 (2019) to $100,952 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,102 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,802 – $90,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,553 – $106,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,313 – $117,711 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,711 – $150,150 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Elk River
Currently, the job market in Elk River employs only four registered nurses, indicating a niche yet specialized field. The cost-of-living index of 98.5 suggests that living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the various healthcare settings, acute care hospitals generally provide the highest compensation, particularly for roles in ICU and emergency departments where experience and certification can significantly affect earnings. The disparity between low and high pay is influenced by factors like shift differentials—night and weekend shifts often yield an extra $3 to $7 per hour. Nurses strategically pursuing night shifts, acquiring advanced certifications, or seeking roles at magnet-status facilities may maximize their earnings in Elk River, MN.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $100,952 for registered nursesin the Elk River metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elk River is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov