Registered Nurse Salary

Trenton vs Washington Township: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Trenton, NJ and Washington Township, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$105,299
$50.62/hr
Washington Township, NJ
$116,994
$56.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJWashington Township, NJ
Median Salary$105,299$116,994
Hourly Rate$50.62$56.25
Entry Level (P10)$86,470$84,057
25th Percentile$100,276$96,423
75th Percentile$119,327$133,321
Top Earner (P90)$132,585$160,098
Total Employed5,18012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($105,299) and Washington Township ($116,994) registered nurse salaries.TrentonWashington TownshipMedian Salary$105,299$116,994Entry Level (P10)$86,470$84,057Top Earner (P90)$132,585$160,098US Median $102,730

Verdict

Washington Township, NJ offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Trenton and Washington Township is $11,695 (11.11%). Washington Township's median is +13.88% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $46,115,Washington Township spans $76,041. Washington Township has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$86,470
P25$100,276
Median$105,299
P75$119,327
P90 (Top)$132,585
Washington Township
P10 (Entry)$84,057
P25$96,423
Median$116,994
P75$133,321
P90 (Top)$160,098

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($102,054 effective) pays 0.49% more than Washington Township ($101,557 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $105,299
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $102,054
Washington Township
Nominal: $116,994
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $101,557

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (5,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,054)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Washington Township if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,994/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($160,098)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Trenton grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.5% growth in Washington Township over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+26.6%

$78,980 (2019) → $99,990 (2025)

Washington Township, NJ

+-0.5%

$111,607 (2024) → $111,095 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Trenton or Washington Township?

Washington Township has a higher median registered nurse salary at $116,994/year, compared to Trenton at $105,299/year — a difference of $11,695 (11.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Washington Township?

Trenton registered nurses earn $50.62/hr while Washington Township hygienists earn $56.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Washington Township as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Washington Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $102,054, Washington Township = $101,557), job availability (5,180 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Trenton vs Washington Township?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $86,470 in Trenton and $84,057 in Washington Township. The Trenton area offers higher starting salaries.
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