Registered Nurse Salary

Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Cleveland Heights, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland Heights, OH
$81,250
$39.06/hr
Cleveland, OH
$88,397
$42.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland Heights, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$81,250$88,397
Hourly Rate$39.06$42.50
Entry Level (P10)$59,941$79,004
25th Percentile$67,867$85,691
75th Percentile$91,713$107,943
Top Earner (P90)$109,747$113,861
Total Employed928,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland Heights ($81,250) and Cleveland ($88,397) registered nurse salaries.Cleveland HeightsClevelandMedian Salary$81,250$88,397Entry Level (P10)$59,941$79,004Top Earner (P90)$109,747$113,861US Median $102,730

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland Heights.

The salary gap between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland is $7,147 (8.80%). Cleveland's median is -13.95% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland Heights spans $49,806,Cleveland spans $34,857. Cleveland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$59,941
P25$67,867
Median$81,250
P75$91,713
P90 (Top)$109,747
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$79,004
P25$85,691
Median$88,397
P75$107,943
P90 (Top)$113,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($94,116 effective) pays 5.06% more than Cleveland Heights ($89,581 effective).

Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $81,250
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $89,581
Cleveland
Nominal: $88,397
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $94,116

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,397/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,861)
  • Larger job market (28,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,116)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Cleveland Heights grew 12.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Cleveland Heights, OH

+12.1%

$68,854 (2024) → $77,153 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+19.1%

$70,490 (2019) → $83,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Cleveland Heights or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median registered nurse salary at $88,397/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $81,250/year — a difference of $7,147 (8.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland?

Cleveland Heights registered nurses earn $39.06/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $42.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland Heights to Cleveland as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland Heights and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland Heights = $89,581, Cleveland = $94,116), job availability (9 vs 28,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $59,941 in Cleveland Heights and $79,004 in Cleveland. The Cleveland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov