Registered Nurse Salary

Sebastian vs Tampa: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

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

Sebastian, FL
$85,617
$41.17/hr
Tampa, FL
$90,008
$43.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSebastian, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$85,617$90,008
Hourly Rate$41.17$43.27
Entry Level (P10)$73,096$77,182
25th Percentile$85,617$83,458
75th Percentile$107,911$107,606
Top Earner (P90)$110,228$131,079
Total Employed1,88038,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sebastian ($85,617) and Tampa ($90,008) registered nurse salaries.SebastianTampaMedian Salary$85,617$90,008Entry Level (P10)$73,096$77,182Top Earner (P90)$110,228$131,079US Median $102,730

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sebastian and Tampa is $4,391 (5.13%). 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 Sebastian spans $37,132,Tampa spans $53,897. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Sebastian
P10 (Entry)$73,096
P25$85,617
Median$85,617
P75$107,911
P90 (Top)$110,228
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 2.44% more than Sebastian ($87,091 effective).

Sebastian
Nominal: $85,617
CoL Index: 98.308
Adjusted: $87,091
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 Sebastian 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 Sebastian grew 49.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Sebastian, FL

+49.4%

$54,410 (2019) → $81,300 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+26.2%

$67,750 (2019) → $85,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Sebastian or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median registered nurse salary at $90,008/year, compared to Sebastian at $85,617/year — a difference of $4,391 (5.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sebastian and Tampa?

Sebastian registered nurses earn $41.17/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $43.27/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sebastian and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sebastian = $87,091, Tampa = $89,214), job availability (1,880 vs 38,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $73,096 in Sebastian 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