Registered Nurse Salary

Miami vs Pensacola: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Miami, FL
$96,232
$46.26/hr
Pensacola, FL
$82,026
$39.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLPensacola, FL
Median Salary$96,232$82,026
Hourly Rate$46.26$39.44
Entry Level (P10)$76,497$67,167
25th Percentile$84,785$80,046
75th Percentile$109,859$97,412
Top Earner (P90)$136,008$104,288
Total Employed61,6705,070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($96,232) and Pensacola ($82,026) registered nurse salaries.MiamiPensacolaMedian Salary$96,232$82,026Entry Level (P10)$76,497$67,167Top Earner (P90)$136,008$104,288US Median $102,730

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Miami and Pensacola is $14,206 (17.32%). Miami's median is -6.33% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $59,511,Pensacola spans $37,121. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$76,497
P25$84,785
Median$96,232
P75$109,859
P90 (Top)$136,008
Pensacola
P10 (Entry)$67,167
P25$80,046
Median$82,026
P75$97,412
P90 (Top)$104,288

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Miami ($84,299 effective) pays 0.43% more than Pensacola ($83,942 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $96,232
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $84,299
Pensacola
Nominal: $82,026
CoL Index: 97.717
Adjusted: $83,942

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,232/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,008)
  • Larger job market (61,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,299)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Pensacola if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Miami grew 33.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in Pensacola over the same period.

Miami, FL

+33.3%

$68,550 (2019) → $91,380 (2025)

Pensacola, FL

+28.8%

$60,470 (2019) → $77,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Miami or Pensacola?

Miami has a higher median registered nurse salary at $96,232/year, compared to Pensacola at $82,026/year — a difference of $14,206 (17.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Pensacola?

Miami registered nurses earn $46.26/hr while Pensacola hygienists earn $39.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Pensacola as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Pensacola. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $84,299, Pensacola = $83,942), job availability (61,670 vs 5,070 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Miami vs Pensacola?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $76,497 in Miami and $67,167 in Pensacola. The Miami 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