Registered Nurse Salary in Maryland: $104,080 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $104,080/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,224 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($108,102), Gaithersburg ($107,401), Germantown ($107,325).
In Maryland, the projected average median salary for registered nurses in 2026 is $104,080, slightly above the national median of $102,730, reflecting a 1.3% increase. Salary variation among cities is significant, with Aspen Hill leading at $113,842, while Hagerstown is at the lower end with $97,696, creating a salary gap of $16,146. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and availability of nursing positions in each area. Maryland’s state-specific factors include stringent licensing requirements and well-defined scope of practice laws, which can influence salary levels. The demand for registered nurses in Maryland is driven by an aging population, increased healthcare needs, and the expansion of healthcare facilities. The job market for registered nurses in the state is strong, with an annual growth rate projected at 5.31% from prior years, indicating an increasing need for nursing professionals. The top cities for registered nurse employment in 2026 are Aspen Hill at $113,842, followed closely by Gaithersburg at $113,104, Germantown at $113,024, Ellicott City at $112,766, and Waldorf at $112,650. This outlook shows promising opportunities for those seeking to enter or advance in the nursing profession in Maryland.
Maryland Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $66,724 (lowest entry-level) to $159,152 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland registered nurses earn 1.31% more than the national median (+$1,350/year difference).
Maryland Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Maryland range from $80,590 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $131,410 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,080. The Maryland median is $1,350 above the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $50.04/hr. Approximately 36,003 registered nurses are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,109
2025 BLS Actual
$98,832
2026 Current Est.
$104,080
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,036 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,846 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,080 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 29.9% from $76,109 (2019) to $98,832 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,498 (44.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $97,696 |
| Lexington Park | $99,813 |
| Salisbury | $99,918 |
| Cumberland | $103,929 |
| Towson | $104,430 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | $99,918 | 95.617 | $104,498 |
| Aspen Hill | $113,842 | 109.3 | $104,156 |
| Hagerstown | $97,696 | 94.171 | $103,743 |
| Gaithersburg | $113,104 | 109.3 | $103,480 |
| Germantown | $113,024 | 109.3 | $103,407 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $80,590 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,080 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $131,410 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $113,842 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $113,104 |
| 3 | Germantown | $113,024 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $112,766 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $112,650 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $112,268 |
| 7 | Bowie | $111,734 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $111,387 |
| 9 | Frederick | $109,849 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $109,826 |
| 11 | Severn | $109,823 |
| 12 | College Park | $109,608 |
| 13 | Rockville | $109,467 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $109,413 |
| 15 | Potomac | $108,894 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $108,452 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $108,452 |
| 18 | Odenton | $108,083 |
| 19 | Catonsville | $107,203 |
| 20 | Columbia | $106,727 |
| 21 | Laurel | $106,663 |
| 22 | Greenbelt | $106,310 |
| 23 | Baltimore | $104,836 |
| 24 | Towson | $104,430 |
| 25 | Cumberland | $103,929 |
| 26 | Salisbury | $99,918 |
| 27 | Lexington Park | $99,813 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $97,696 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Maryland?
How does Maryland registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Maryland?
How many registered nurses are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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