The salary range for a registered nurse in Pennsylvania runs from $70,800 at the 10th percentile to $117,900 at the 90th percentile. When budgeting, use the 25th percentile of $80,610 as a floor for entry-level or less experienced candidates and the 75th percentile of $104,730 as a reasonable ceiling for experienced hires before reaching senior specialist territory. The specific seniority and specialization of the role you are filling should determine where within that range you anchor your offer.
Registered nurse salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Pennsylvania is $94,020 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $96,430 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Pennsylvania employs 146,520 registered nurses, and the $2,410 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Pennsylvania typically earn around $70,800, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $117,900 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Pennsylvania, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $96,430 |
Average Annual Salary | $94,020 |
vs. National Average | 7.3% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 146,520 employed registered nurses across Pennsylvania.
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Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $70,800 |
25th Percentile | $80,610 |
75th Percentile | $104,730 |
90th Percentile | $117,900 |
Employers hiring a mid-career registered nurse in Pennsylvania should expect to anchor offers between $80,610 and $104,730 to stay competitive across the bulk of the market. Roles requiring specialized experience or leadership responsibilities will push compensation toward or beyond the $117,900 threshold that senior specialists in Pennsylvania typically reach.
City | Average Annual Salary |
Philadelphia | $101,400 |
Allentown | $96,590 |
Harrisburg | $93,660 |
Pittsburgh | $88,880 |
Scranton | $87,560 |
Employers hiring in Philadelphia should budget meaningfully higher than those hiring in western or northeastern Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia metro averages $101,400 compared to $87,560 in the Scranton area, a difference of $13,840 that can materially affect your compensation budget depending on where the role is based. Offers calibrated to the statewide average may fall short in Philadelphia but land above market in Scranton or Pittsburgh.
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Pennsylvania | $94,020 | $96,430 |
New York | $113,440 | $109,440 |
New Jersey | $110,100 | $106,500 |
Maryland | $99,010 | $99,790 |
Virginia | $93,850 | $93,600 |
Ohio | $87,730 | $82,510 |
Pennsylvania sits in a cost-effective middle position relative to its neighbors, making it a more budget-friendly market than New York or New Jersey for registered nurse hiring. The statewide mean of $94,020 runs $19,420 below New York and $16,080 below New Jersey, while tracking closely with Virginia at $93,850. Employers competing for nurses who could cross state lines into New Jersey or New York should be aware that those markets pay substantially more and may factor into candidate expectations.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Pennsylvania
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Pennsylvania?
What is the average registered nurse salary in Pennsylvania?
The average registered nurse salary in Pennsylvania is $94,020 per year. The median of $96,430 is slightly higher, which tells you that a segment of lower-compensated roles pulls the average down from the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, the median is the more practical benchmark to use when setting an initial offer.
How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Pennsylvania pays registered nurses 7.3% below the national mean of $101,420, placing it in a cost-effective position relative to nearby states. New York averages $113,440 and New Jersey averages $110,100, both substantially above Pennsylvania's $94,020 mean. If you are hiring in a market where candidates can realistically commute to or relocate to those states, you may face upward pressure on offers.
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Pennsylvania?
Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Pennsylvania earn $117,900 per year. Senior specialists and nurses in high-demand roles or leadership positions are the candidates most likely to reach or exceed that level. When competing for that tier of talent, plan for offers at or above $117,900 and factor in the full compensation package to remain competitive.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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