Salary Report for Pennsylvania Registered Nurses
Pennsylvania Rankings
Compare Pennsylvania to U.S.
Pennsylvania Registered Nurses earn an average of $76,000 which is 8% less than the national average salary of $82,750.
| Type | Pennsylvania | U.S. | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Wage | $36.54 | $39.78 | -8.14% |
| Average Annual Salary | $76,000 | $82,750 | -8.16% |
Salary Range by Education and Experience
In Pennsylvania, 50% of Registered Nurses earn between $62,480 and $81,620 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.
About 10% of Registered Nurses earn more than $98,680, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Registered Nurses.
Approximately 10% of Registered Nurses earn under $59,640, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Registered Nurses.
| Percent | Experience | Employed | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Less than a Year | 14,927 | Under $59,640 |
| 15% | 2 – 4 years | 22,390 | $59,640 – $62,480 |
| 25% | 5 – 9 years | 37,318 | $62,480 – $76,940 |
| 25% | 10 – 14 years | 37,318 | $76,940 – $81,620 |
| 15% | 15 – 20 years | 22,390 | $76,940 – $98,680 |
| 10% | 20+ years | 14,927 | Above $98,680 |
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living
After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Registered Nurses in Pennsylvania nurses earn about $77,901 per year which is less than the average U.S. nurse of $82,750.
Cost-of-living in Pennsylvania is 2% less than the national average, which means Pennsylvania residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.
More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.
Salary Compared to Related Professions
With an average annual salary of $76,000, Pennsylvania Registered Nurses tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($203,150), Nurse Practitioners ($117,260), Nurse Midwives ($111,980), and Nursing Instructors ($88,430).
However, Registered Nurses tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($34,190), and LPNs ($51,090).
| Title | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | $203,150 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,260 |
| Nurse Midwives | $111,980 |
| Nursing Instructors | $88,430 |
| Registered Nurses | $76,000 |
| LPNs | $51,090 |
| Nursing Assistants | $34,190 |
Projected Demand for Nurses in 2030
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Pennsylvania the three professions needing the most new nurses by 2030 are Registered Nurses (160,380), Nursing Assistants (82,140) and LPNs (41,950).
The three professions in Pennsylvania needing highest percentage new nurses by 2030 are Nurse Practitioners (32.7%), Nursing Instructors (20.1%) and Nurse Midwives (14.3%).
| Title | 2020 | 2030 | Change | Yearly Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 147,280 | 160,380 | 8.9% | 9,280 |
| Nursing Assistants | 74,810 | 82,140 | 9.8% | 10,200 |
| LPNs | 37,620 | 41,950 | 11.5% | 3,440 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 6,210 | 8,240 | 32.7% | 580 |
| Nursing Instructors | 2,840 | 3,410 | 20.1% | 340 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 2,240 | 2,530 | 12.9% | 150 |
| Nurse Midwives | 350 | 400 | 14.3% | 30 |
Salaries Ranked by Pennsylvania Cities
The average salary for Registered Nurses in Pennsylvania is $76,000. The top cities that pay Registered Nurses the most are Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington ($81,860), Chambersburg-Waynesboro ($77,240) and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton ($76,210).
When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Registered Nurses the highest average annual salary are Chambersburg-Waynesboro ($81,434), Johnstown ($81,378) and Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington ($80,059).
The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Registered Nurses in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.
The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Registered Nurses salary will have in that area.
| Area | Average Salary | COL Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $81,860 | $80,059 | $-1,801 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro | $77,240 | $81,434 | $4,194 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $76,210 | $76,887 | $677 |
| Reading | $75,260 | $76,772 | $1,512 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $75,110 | $77,850 | $2,740 |
| Gettysburg | $73,390 | $76,186 | $2,796 |
| Lebanon | $73,200 | $76,028 | $2,828 |
| Pittsburgh | $73,170 | $76,474 | $3,304 |
| York-Hanover | $72,810 | $74,900 | $2,090 |
| State College | $72,740 | $73,194 | $454 |
| Lancaster | $72,400 | $73,525 | $1,125 |
| Williamsport | $72,300 | $78,349 | $6,049 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | $71,700 | $77,656 | $5,956 |
| Western Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area | $71,580 | $80,040 | $8,460 |
| Northern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area | $70,780 | $79,146 | $8,366 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton | $70,500 | $75,790 | $5,290 |
| Southern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area | $70,400 | $78,721 | $8,321 |
| East Stroudsburg | $70,070 | $70,140 | $70 |
| Altoona | $69,430 | $77,016 | $7,586 |
| Erie | $69,200 | $73,282 | $4,082 |
| Johnstown | $68,610 | $81,378 | $12,768 |
Salary FAQ for Pennsylvania Registered Nurses
City and Rural Summaries
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $76,210
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $76,887
Hourly Wage: $36.64
Currently Employed: 9,930
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.12
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Salary Report
Altoona
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $69,430
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $77,016
Hourly Wage: $33
Currently Employed: 1,800
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.15
Altoona Salary Report
Bloomsburg-Berwick
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $71,700
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $77,656
Hourly Wage: $34.47
Currently Employed: 2,600
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.33
Bloomsburg-Berwick Salary Report
Chambersburg-Waynesboro
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $77,240
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $81,434
Hourly Wage: $37
Currently Employed: 1,250
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.85
Chambersburg-Waynesboro Salary Report
East Stroudsburg
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $70,070
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $70,140
Hourly Wage: $33.69
Currently Employed: 950
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.90
East Stroudsburg Salary Report
Erie
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $69,200
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $73,282
Hourly Wage: $33
Currently Employed: 3,060
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.43
Erie Salary Report
Gettysburg
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $73,390
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $76,186
Hourly Wage: $35.28
Currently Employed: 530
Cost-of-Living Index: 96.33
Gettysburg Salary Report
Harrisburg-Carlisle
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $75,110
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $77,850
Hourly Wage: $36
Currently Employed: 9,240
Cost-of-Living Index: 96.48
Harrisburg-Carlisle Salary Report
Johnstown
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $68,610
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $81,378
Hourly Wage: $32.99
Currently Employed: 1,380
Cost-of-Living Index: 84.31
Johnstown Salary Report
Lancaster
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $72,400
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $73,525
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 4,900
Cost-of-Living Index: 98.47
Lancaster Salary Report
Lebanon
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $73,200
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $76,028
Hourly Wage: $35.19
Currently Employed: 1,280
Cost-of-Living Index: 96.28
Lebanon Salary Report
Northern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $70,780
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $79,146
Hourly Wage: $34
Currently Employed: 3,150
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.43
Northern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $81,860
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $80,059
Hourly Wage: $39.35
Currently Employed: 73,510
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.25
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Salary Report
Pittsburgh
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $73,170
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $76,474
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 29,810
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.68
Pittsburgh Salary Report
Reading
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $75,260
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $76,772
Hourly Wage: $36.18
Currently Employed: 4,100
Cost-of-Living Index: 98.03
Reading Salary Report
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $70,500
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $75,790
Hourly Wage: $34
Currently Employed: 5,690
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.02
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton Salary Report
Southern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $70,400
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $78,721
Hourly Wage: $33.84
Currently Employed: 3,030
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.43
Southern Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
State College
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $72,740
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $73,194
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 1,320
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.38
State College Salary Report
Western Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $71,580
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $80,040
Hourly Wage: $34.41
Currently Employed: 2,800
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.43
Western Pennsylvania Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Williamsport
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $72,300
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $78,349
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 1,410
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.28
Williamsport Salary Report
York-Hanover
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $72,810
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $74,900
Hourly Wage: $35.01
Currently Employed: 3,850
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.21
York-Hanover Salary Report
Official Data Sources for Registered Nurses: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data
