Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Lakewood, NJ: $56.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Lakewood, NJ runs $56.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,421 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,458 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Lakewood, NJ, can expect a median hourly pay of $56.46, significantly above the national median of $49.39. This higher wage reflects not only the region's cost of living but also the specialized skill set that RNs typically possess. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day week schedule, this translates to an annual income of around $70,000, allowing them to enjoy a good standard of living while still having time for personal pursuits. Additionally, the hourly rate ranges from $39.97 at the entry-level to $82.75 for the highest earners. Such variability provides opportunities for per-diem registered nurse roles, which are common in varied settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health services, where flexibility can often come with financial reward.
About the Lakewood 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) | $39.97 | $319.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.25 | $370.02 |
| Median (P50) | $56.46 | $451.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.87 | $534.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.75 | $662.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $56.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.46/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, NJ can expect to earn approximately $117,430 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,748. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,258.27 | $9,786 | $117,430 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,354.96 | $5,871 | $70,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $903.31 | $3,914 | $46,972 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Lakewood) | $56.46 |
| 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 Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $117,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $118,368.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.46/hr = $70,458/year (purchasing power: $61,161).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,430/year (purchasing power: $101,936).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Lakewood grew 33.1% from $40.28/hr (2019) to $53.61/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.45/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Compensating structures within Lakewood also reveal interesting dynamics. A part-time nurse working 24 hours per week stands to earn about $67,500 annually, allowing for a good work-life balance but with slightly less financial security compared to full-time roles. Per-diem and travel nursing options provide even more lucrative compensation, with per diem rates averaging between $50 and $80 per hour based on specialty. Travel nursing contracts can yield $2,000 to $4,500 per week, peaking even higher in crisis situations. In Lakewood, there is pronounced variation in rates depending on employer types, as RNs working in acute care hospitals may receive different compensation than those in outpatient facilities or home health agencies. While some RNs opt for positions with slightly lower pay that include health benefits, others may pursue higher hourly rates without benefits to maximize their take-home pay. For nurses seeking to negotiate their pay, understanding these dynamics and being aware of the going rates for specific roles can help in achieving the best possible outcomes.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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