Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Watertown, NY: $48.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Watertown, NY runs $48.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,706 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Watertown, NY, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to stand at $48.64 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.39. This competitive hourly rate is particularly significant for part-time registered nurses, who often work three days a week in diverse settings such as hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. Entry-level nurses can expect to earn around $34.46 per hour, whereas seasoned professionals at the peak of their careers may command rates up to $63.43. With a stable workforce of approximately 900 registered nurses in the area, understanding these hourly wages can provide essential insights into the income potential for both full-time and per-diem positions within the healthcare landscape of Watertown.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.46 | $275.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.84 | $334.72 |
| Median (P50) | $48.64 | $389.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.86 | $438.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.43 | $507.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $48.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.64/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, NY can expect to earn approximately $101,177 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,371. With a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,945.71 | $8,431 | $101,177 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,167.42 | $5,059 | $60,706 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.28 | $3,373 | $40,471 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Watertown) | $48.64 |
| 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 Watertown, NY earn a median of $101,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.52% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.90% below the New York state average of $105,277.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.64/hr = $60,706/year (purchasing power: $69,228).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,177/year (purchasing power: $115,380).
CoL index: 87.69 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Watertown grew 39.3% from $33.15/hr (2019) to $46.19/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.23/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Part-time registered nurses in Watertown, typically securing about 24 hours a week, can take home an annual salary that reflects a lucrative earning potential, contrasting with full-time roles. Alternatively, per diem registered nurse pay in Watertown varies widely, often ranging between $50 and $80 per hour depending on specialty. Travel nurses are also in high demand, with contracts ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, and crisis-rate positions offering between $5,000 and $8,000 in scarcity markets. Hourly rates differ significantly based on employer types—hospital systems and specialty clinics generally provide more stability, while per diem and travel roles might offer higher pay rates but less job security. Many nurses negotiate between higher hourly wages without benefits and those offering health insurance with a lower pay scale, making it essential for RNs to assess their overall compensation package in Watertown thoughtfully.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Watertown in 2026?
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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 Watertown. 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