Registered Nurse Salary

Springfield vs Wellesley: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Springfield, MA and Wellesley, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MA
$103,636
$49.82/hr
Wellesley, MA
$102,373
$49.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MAWellesley, MA
Median Salary$103,636$102,373
Hourly Rate$49.82$49.22
Entry Level (P10)$77,319$75,714
25th Percentile$91,462$85,650
75th Percentile$116,747$118,054
Top Earner (P90)$134,239$141,869
Total Employed5,8306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($103,636) and Wellesley ($102,373) registered nurse salaries.SpringfieldWellesleyMedian Salary$103,636$102,373Entry Level (P10)$77,319$75,714Top Earner (P90)$134,239$141,869US Median $102,730

Verdict

Springfield, MA offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wellesley.

The salary gap between Springfield and Wellesley is $1,263 (1.23%). Springfield's median is +0.88% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $56,920,Wellesley spans $66,155. Wellesley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$77,319
P25$91,462
Median$103,636
P75$116,747
P90 (Top)$134,239
Wellesley
P10 (Entry)$75,714
P25$85,650
Median$102,373
P75$118,054
P90 (Top)$141,869

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($107,886 effective) pays 14.34% more than Wellesley ($94,353 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $103,636
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $107,886
Wellesley
Nominal: $102,373
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $94,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,636/year)
  • Larger job market (5,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,886)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Wellesley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($141,869)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Springfield grew 21.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.5% growth in Wellesley over the same period.

Springfield, MA

+21.7%

$80,830 (2019) → $98,410 (2025)

Wellesley, MA

+-13.5%

$112,354 (2024) → $97,211 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Springfield or Wellesley?

Springfield has a higher median registered nurse salary at $103,636/year, compared to Wellesley at $102,373/year — a difference of $1,263 (1.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Wellesley?

Springfield registered nurses earn $49.82/hr while Wellesley hygienists earn $49.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Wellesley as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Wellesley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $107,886, Wellesley = $94,353), job availability (5,830 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Springfield vs Wellesley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $77,319 in Springfield and $75,714 in Wellesley. The Springfield 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