Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Elizabeth, NJ: $57.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Elizabeth, NJ runs $57.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,428 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Elizabeth's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,654 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, registered nurses can expect a robust median hourly pay of $57.42, which significantly exceeds the national average of $49.39. This competitive rate reflects the demand for nursing professionals who work in various settings, such as hospital floors, ICUs, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Whether employed full-time or part-time, RNs benefit from a healthy hourly range that spans from $41.93 at the entry-level (P10) to an impressive $84.00 for top earners (P90). For those choosing to work part-time or pursue per-diem opportunities, the favorable hourly rates could make shifts in busy environments like emergency departments or operating rooms quite appealing. Estimates of hourly pay are derived from projected annual salary data, demonstrating a solid compensation structure for nurses navigating the local healthcare landscape.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.93 | $335.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.19 | $385.52 |
| Median (P50) | $57.42 | $459.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.91 | $543.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.00 | $671.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabeth
Based on $57.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.42/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabeth, NJ can expect to earn approximately $119,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,898. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Elizabeth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabeth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,296.60 | $9,952 | $119,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,377.96 | $5,971 | $71,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $918.64 | $3,981 | $47,769 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Elizabeth) | $57.42 |
| 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 Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $119,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $118,363.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.42/hr = $71,654/year (purchasing power: $62,200).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,423/year (purchasing power: $103,666).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Elizabeth grew 33.1% from $40.97/hr (2019) to $54.52/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.46/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 Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth
For a part-time registered nurse working three 12-hour shifts each week, the potential take-home pay can be substantial, reaching approximately $71,180 annually, while full-time positions offer even greater earnings. In addition to traditional nursing roles, per-diem registered nurses in Elizabeth often charge between $50 and $80 per hour depending on their specialty, while travel nurses can earn between $2,000 and $4,500 weekly, with crisis-rate contracts boasting even higher pay. As registered nurses evaluate employment choices, compensation can vary drastically based on employer type, including hospital systems, ambulatory clinics, and travel agencies. Some nurses may opt for lower hourly rates that include health benefits, providing essential coverage in exchange for pay, while others may prefer higher hourly wages without benefits. For those negotiating their contracts in Elizabeth, understanding these dynamics can be beneficial. Striking a balance between the desire for competitive hourly pay and the need for comprehensive benefits often shapes the decision-making process for many nursing professionals today.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
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 Elizabeth. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elizabeth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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