Nursing Salary in Wyoming: Is It a Good Career?
Wyoming · 2026 BLS salary data
Nursing pay in Wyoming
The median wage is $83,760/yr — 14% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Wyomingranks #35 of 51 states by median pay.
The numbers in Wyoming
Real BLS state-level figures for Nursing.
- Median salary
- $83,760/yr
- Pay range (25th–75th)
- $77,890 – $101,100
- National median
- $97,550/yr
- Employed in Wyoming
- 5,330
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.
What that pay is really worth in Wyoming
Salary alone can mislead — Wyoming costs 7% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).
- Cost of living (US=100)
- 92.7
- Nominal median
- $83,760
- Adjusted for cost of living
- ≈ $90,356
- State income tax
- None
Wyoming levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.
Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.
FAQ
How much do nursing professionals make in Wyoming?
The median annual wage is $83,760 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $77,890 and $101,100. That's 14% below the national median.
Is Wyoming a good state for nursing?
By raw pay, Wyoming ranks #35 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Wyoming costs 7% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $90,356. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.
Are nursing professionals in demand in Wyoming?
About 5,330 people work in this field in Wyoming (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.
The verdict
Yes for most people — nursing pays well above the U.S. median with strong job security, but it costs you nights, weekends, and physical/emotional strain. Worth it if you want stable demand and can handle the hours; not if you need a 9-to-5 desk job.
- Worth it If you want job security and a wage well above the U.S. median
- Worth it If you can tolerate shift work, standing all day, and emotional load
- Not worth it If you need predictable 9-to-5 hours or are burnout-prone under stress
Pros & cons
Pros
- Pay well above the U.S. median wage
- Strong, recession-resistant demand (aging population)
- Portable license — jobs in every city and specialty
- Clear ladder: RN → BSN → NP with big pay jumps
- Entry in ~2-4 years, far cheaper than med school
Cons
- 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
- Physically demanding and emotionally draining
- High burnout rates, especially post-pandemic
- Exposure to illness, trauma, and difficult patients
- Understaffing is common and worsening in many hospitals
Who it's for
✓ A good fit if…
- People who want stability and are comfortable in high-stakes settings
- Those who prefer hands-on, human-facing work over a desk
- Anyone wanting a fast, affordable route to a strong salary
✗ Probably not if…
- People who need fixed weekday hours
- Those who struggle with high-stress or high-emotion environments
- Anyone squeamish around blood, bodily fluids, or death
What people are actually asking
Real Reddit discussions on whether Nursing is worth it — titles link to the original threads.
- “Is Nursing As Bad As People Say It Is?”r/nursing130+ comments4y agomixed/doubt
- “Is nursing still a career worth pursuing in 2025?”r/nursing260+ comments10mo agoquestioning
- “Why Nursing is Not the Holy Grail to Job Security”r/cscareerquestions170+ comments1y agonegative/caution
- “Is nursing that bad or are people gatekeeping?”r/povertyfinance210+ comments2y agomixed
- “Give it to me straight: Is nursing a trap or a good career?”r/nursing100+ comments5mo agoquestioning
- “Is becoming a nurse still worth it?”r/nursing120+ comments1y agoquestioning
- “Is nursing a good job for people who are passion-less but need stability?”r/Nurses320+ comments3y agopragmatic/stability