Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $43.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Tampa, FL runs $43.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,008 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,003 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, the registered nurse hourly pay averages $43.27, which falls short of the national median of $49.39. This difference can impact part-time and per-diem opportunities, especially for those working in high-demand settings such as hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For nurses taking shifts three days a week, the hourly earnings translate to flexible working arrangements that can be appealing. The hourly pay range for registered nurses in the city varies significantly, starting from $37.10 for entry-level positions up to $63.02 for top earners, reflecting a diverse range of expertise and specializations available within the healthcare system, as detailed by the estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.10 | $296.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.12 | $320.98 |
| Median (P50) | $43.27 | $346.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.74 | $413.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.02 | $504.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $43.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.27/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $90,006 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,926. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,730.88 | $7,500 | $90,006 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,038.53 | $4,500 | $54,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $692.35 | $3,000 | $36,002 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Tampa) | $43.27 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Tampa, FL earn a median of $90,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.30% above the Florida state average of $86,298.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.27/hr = $54,003/year (purchasing power: $53,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,006/year (purchasing power: $89,212).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Tampa grew 26.2% from $32.57/hr (2019) to $41.09/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.57/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Tampa
Part-time registered nurses in Tampa who work 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $54,213 annually, while full-time nurses might see their earnings exceed $90,008. The per-diem registered nurse pay in Tampa tends to be on the higher end, often billing $50 to $80 per hour depending on the specialty. Travel nurses, in particular, can command substantial contracts ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 per week for standard roles, and even higher for crisis situations, especially in pressing markets. Different employer types, including acute care hospitals and specialty centers, offer varying hourly rates influenced by benefits packages. Many nurses may accept lower hourly rates for stability and health insurance, whereas others prioritize higher pay without these benefits. Effective negotiation can include showcasing specialty certifications or leveraging shift differentials, giving nurses the opportunity to maximize their registered nurse hourly rate in FL, thus enhancing their overall job satisfaction in this evolving field.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Tampa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov