Registered Nurse Salary

Largo vs Tampa: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Largo, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Largo, FL
$87,101
$41.87/hr
Tampa, FL
$90,008
$43.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLargo, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$87,101$90,008
Hourly Rate$41.87$43.27
Entry Level (P10)$61,048$77,182
25th Percentile$70,692$83,458
75th Percentile$98,999$107,606
Top Earner (P90)$119,463$131,079
Total Employed1238,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Largo ($87,101) and Tampa ($90,008) registered nurse salaries.LargoTampaMedian Salary$87,101$90,008Entry Level (P10)$61,048$77,182Top Earner (P90)$119,463$131,079US Median $102,730

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Largo.

The salary gap between Largo and Tampa is $2,907 (3.34%). Tampa's median is -12.38% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Largo spans $58,415,Tampa spans $53,897. Largo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Largo
P10 (Entry)$61,048
P25$70,692
Median$87,101
P75$98,999
P90 (Top)$119,463
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$77,182
P25$83,458
Median$90,008
P75$107,606
P90 (Top)$131,079

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($89,214 effective) pays 3.25% more than Largo ($86,410 effective).

Largo
Nominal: $87,101
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $86,410
Tampa
Nominal: $90,008
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $89,214

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Largo if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,079)
  • Larger job market (38,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,214)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Largo grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Largo, FL

+2.9%

$80,340 (2024) → $82,709 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+26.2%

$67,750 (2019) → $85,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Largo or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median registered nurse salary at $90,008/year, compared to Largo at $87,101/year — a difference of $2,907 (3.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Largo and Tampa?

Largo registered nurses earn $41.87/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $43.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Largo to Tampa as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Largo and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Largo = $86,410, Tampa = $89,214), job availability (12 vs 38,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Largo vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $61,048 in Largo and $77,182 in Tampa. The Tampa 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