Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $41.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Dayton, OH runs $41.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,891 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,137 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Many registered nurses in Dayton, OH, earn a median hourly rate of $41.78, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.39. This figure reflects the average compensation for full-time roles across various healthcare settings, including hospital floors, emergency departments, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics. Additionally, the hourly pay range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $36.04 per hour and experienced nurses in specialized roles earning up to $52.27. Such compensation allows for a reasonable standard of living in Dayton, especially considering the local cost of living index is below the national average. For part-time workers—commonly scheduled for three days a week—this pay translates into flexible earning potential that accommodates their work-life balance, making it an appealing option for those in demand for nursing services.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.04 | $288.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.20 | $321.57 |
| Median (P50) | $41.78 | $334.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.50 | $403.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.27 | $418.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $41.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.78/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $86,895 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,132. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.06 | $7,241 | $86,895 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.64 | $4,345 | $52,137 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.42 | $2,897 | $34,758 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Dayton) | $41.78 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $86,891 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.42% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.50% above the Ohio state average of $85,607.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.78/hr = $52,137/year (purchasing power: $56,246).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,895/year (purchasing power: $93,744).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Dayton grew 21.5% from $32.64/hr (2019) to $39.67/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.99/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
In terms of part-time earnings, a registered nurse working three days weekly can expect to take home around $65,076 annually, a sum that still offers financial viability compared to a full-time equivalent. Per diem registered nurse pay in Dayton can rise significantly, with professionals billing between $50 and $80 per hour based on their specialty. Travel nursing has also gained traction, with weekly contracts bringing in $2,000 to $4,500, and in crisis situations, ICU contracts can reach as high as $5,000 to $8,000 in certain markets. Salary levels fluctuate across different employer types, including hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and home health agencies, where benefits like health insurance might be worth a lower hourly rate for some RNs. Registered nurses can optimize their negotiations by understanding the specific requirements of Dayton employers, emphasizing skills and certifications to secure favorable contracts, especially in a market that is continuously evolving.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Dayton 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 Dayton. 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