Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Johnston, RI: $48.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Johnston, RI runs $48.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,838 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,904 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Johnston, RI, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $48.00 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.39. For part-time and per-diem nurses, this hourly rate translates to a substantial income, especially for those working typical hospital settings such as ICUs, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. For instance, a registered nurse employed three days a week can expect to earn approximately $39,000 annually based on a schedule of 24 hours per week. The pay scale ranges from $36.89 at the entry-level to $66.45 for the top earners in the region, reflecting variances in experience and hospital type, including acute care facilities and surgical specialty centers.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.89 | $295.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.11 | $320.90 |
| Median (P50) | $48.00 | $384.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.31 | $442.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.45 | $531.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $48.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.00/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, RI can expect to earn approximately $99,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,600. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,920.01 | $8,320 | $99,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,152.01 | $4,992 | $59,904 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $768.00 | $3,328 | $39,936 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Johnston) | $48.00 |
| 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 Johnston, RI earn a median of $99,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,245.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.00/hr = $59,904/year (purchasing power: $59,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,841/year (purchasing power: $99,344).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Johnston grew 33.1% from $34.25/hr (2019) to $45.58/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.55/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
Focusing on part-time earnings, registered nurses in Johnston may find themselves in a favorable position compared to full-time RNs. A part-time nurse working three shifts per week earns a consistent income, but many pursue per-diem opportunities which can yield higher hourly wages that may range from $50 to $80, depending on the specialty. Those with specialized skills, particularly travel nurses, can command contract rates between $2,000 and $4,500 per week, with crisis assignments in high-need areas reaching up to $8,000. Moreover, the different employer types in Johnston affect hourly rates; hospitals might offer competitive benefits, whereas agencies may provide higher pay but without health insurance. As some registered nurses weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates with comprehensive insurance benefits against potentially lucrative contract work, negotiation skills become pivotal in deciding the right path. This dynamic consideration of pay versus benefits is essential as nurses navigate their careers in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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