Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $40.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Erie, PA runs $40.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,547 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at $40.50, which is notably lower than the national median hourly wage of $49.39. This figure represents the financial landscape for part-time and per-diem registered nurses across various environments such as hospital floors, intensive care units, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For RNs working part-time, particularly those with shifts of three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a consistent and reliable income while allowing flexibility in their schedules. The hourly range extends from $33.33 for entry-level positions to $51.67 for the most experienced nurses, reflecting the diverse roles these healthcare professionals fulfill in Erie’s healthcare system. This official BLS data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, paints a vivid picture of the earnings potential in this critical field.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.33 | $266.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.79 | $318.29 |
| Median (P50) | $40.50 | $324.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.06 | $392.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.67 | $413.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $40.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.50/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $84,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,603. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,620.09 | $7,020 | $84,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.05 | $4,212 | $50,547 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.04 | $2,808 | $33,698 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Erie) | $40.50 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $84,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.99% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 10.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $93,713.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.50/hr = $50,547/year (purchasing power: $55,576).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,245/year (purchasing power: $92,627).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Erie grew 33.8% from $28.74/hr (2019) to $38.46/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.65/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 Erie 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 Erie
Considering working part-time, a registered nurse in Erie clocking in at 24 hours per week would take home an annual income significantly different from their full-time counterparts. Although hour-by-hour wages may be lower for part-time RNs, the allure of better work-life balance often makes it a favorable choice. Per diem registered nurse pay in Erie generally rates from $50 to $80 hourly based on specialization, with travel nursing contracts fetching even higher rates, from $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, with some crisis contracts reaching up to $8,000 in high-demand areas. The hourly pay can vary widely depending on the type of employer; acute care hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and hospice organizations each offer distinct compensation packages. Many registered nurses make the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates that include health insurance. For those negotiating their hourly pay in Erie, being informed about the local market and data-backed figures can empower them to engage confidently with recruiters or employers.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 Erie. 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