Registered Nurse Salary in Panama City, FL: $79,309 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Panama City, FL earns a median $79,309/year (≈ $38.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Panama City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $81,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, FL, registered nurses can expect to earn a median annual salary of $79,309 in 2026, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $102,730. Local salaries range quite broadly from $64,913 at the 10th percentile to $101,961 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying skill levels and roles within healthcare settings. These figures, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, indicate a notable divide in pay between permanent staff positions and travel nurses, who often command higher rates in this market. Understanding these dynamics can help local RNs better navigate their career paths and salary negotiations as they seek to optimize their earning potential within the healthcare landscape of Panama City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,913 | $31.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,462 | $33.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,309 | $38.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,327 | $46.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,961 | $49.02 |
Median Salary Position
22.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Panama City
In Panama City, FL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,048 (2026 est.). At $79,309, the local median is 22.8% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Panama City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Panama City Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Panama City median: $79,309/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Panama City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $86,299 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -22.80% less |
Registered Nurses in Panama City, FL earn a median of $79,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.80% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 8.10% below the Florida state average of $86,299.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Panama City has a cost of living 2.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Panama City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.296 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $79,309 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,513 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.78% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,200
2025 BLS Actual
$75,310
2026 Current Est.
$79,309
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,309 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,520 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Panama City metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 25.1% from $60,200 (2019) to $75,310 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,520 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,320 (38.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Panama City 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) | $64,913 – $69,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,462 – $79,309 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,309 – $96,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,327 – $101,961 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Panama City
The job market for registered nurses in Panama City is solid, supported by approximately 1,610 employed nurses in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 97.296, RNs can experience favorable purchasing power, though it's essential to consider factors driving compensation within the local healthcare environment. Employers in acute care hospitals, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies tend to offer the most competitive salaries. Variability in pay is influenced by factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend shifts, specialty certification stipends, and roles like charge nurse positions. To maximize registered nurse pay in Panama City, pursuing additional certifications and aiming for positions at magnet-status hospitals can enhance earning potential, reflecting the importance of continuous professional development and career advancement within this evolving field.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
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
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 $75,310 for registered nursesin the Panama City 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
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