Registered Nurse Salary in Melbourne, FL: $87,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Melbourne, FL earns a median $87,162/year (≈ $41.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Melbourne's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $86,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Melbourne, FL are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,162, representing a significant consideration for RNs contemplating their career trajectory. This figure shows a notable difference compared to the national median of $102,730, highlighting a 15.15% pay gap. The salary range for registered nurses locally varies greatly, from $61,648 at the 10th percentile to $120,467 at the 90th percentile. Estimates based on 2025 BLS data indicate that achieving specialty certifications, such as CCRN or CEN, could provide a premium to the base pay, which reflects the growing demand for skilled healthcare providers in Melbourne's nursing market.
About the Melbourne Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($79,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,648 | $29.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,161 | $34.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,162 | $41.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,353 | $47.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,467 | $57.92 |
Median Salary Position
15.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Melbourne
In Melbourne, FL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,819 (2026 est.). At $87,162, the local median is 15.15% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Melbourne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Melbourne Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Melbourne median: $87,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Melbourne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $86,299 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -15.15% less |
Registered Nurses in Melbourne, FL earn a median of $87,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.15% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.00% above the Florida state average of $86,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Melbourne has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Melbourne, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,162 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,470 — a 0.79% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$62,192
2025 BLS Actual
$82,767
2026 Current Est.
$87,162
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,192 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,914 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,912 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,767 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,790 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Melbourne metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,192 (2019) to $82,767 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,598 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Melbourne 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,648 – $71,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,161 – $87,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,162 – $99,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,353 – $120,467 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Melbourne
Registered nursing jobs in Melbourne are relatively limited, with only 12 RNs employed in the area, suggesting a highly competitive environment for available positions. The cost-of-living index stands slightly above average at 100.8, which means that while salaries may seem attractive, the purchasing power might not stretch as far as in other regions. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include local acute care hospital systems, particularly for roles in critical care and emergency departments. The variance seen between low and high registered nurse pay in Melbourne can often be attributed to factors like shift differentials for nights and weekends, specialty certification stipends, and the prestige associated with magnet-status hospitals. For nurses aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing further education or certifications, focusing on high-demand specialties, and considering travel nursing opportunities can be beneficial strategies within this evolving local job market.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Melbourne, FL in 2026?
Is Melbourne, FL a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Melbourne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Melbourne?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Melbourne?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,767 for registered nursesin the Melbourne metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Melbourne 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