Registered Nurse Salary in Baltimore, MD: $104,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Baltimore, MD earns a median $104,836/year (≈ $50.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $100,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the registered nurse salary in Baltimore is projected to hit an impressive $104,836, surpassing the national median of $102,730 by 2.05%. Nurses in the area can expect to earn between $81,721 at the low end and $131,659 for those at the higher end of the scale. This data, derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, reflects Baltimore's robust job market for healthcare professionals. The potential for lucrative night and weekend shift differentials adds to the earning potential for registered nurses, especially in high-demand specialties where hospitals often incentivize their staff with additional pay for these less popular shifts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,721 | $39.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,134 | $42.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,836 | $50.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,766 | $54.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,659 | $63.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,938 (2026 est.). At $104,836, the local median is 2.05% above the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $104,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $112,244 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +2.05% more |
Registered Nurses in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $104,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 6.60% below the Maryland state average of $112,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,836 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,334 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,320
2025 BLS Actual
$99,550
2026 Current Est.
$104,836
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 28.8% from $77,320 (2019) to $99,550 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,083 (42.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $81,721 – $88,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,134 – $104,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,836 – $113,766 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,766 – $131,659 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Baltimore
In Baltimore, approximately 30,930 registered nurses are employed, making it a thriving market for healthcare talent. Given the cost of living index of 104.487, nurses need to navigate their salaries carefully to maximize their purchasing power. Employers offering the highest compensation typically include large hospital systems, especially in acute care, ICU, and ED settings, as well as specialty surgical centers and travel nursing agencies that have gained prominence in recent years. The pay scale variance is influenced by factors like shift differentials—nurses can earn an extra $3-7 per hour for night shifts and $3-5 for weekends. Furthermore, those with specialty certifications and experience in magnet-status hospitals tend to earn higher wages. Maximizing compensation in Baltimore requires strategic choices in shifts, continually updating certifications, and considering positions in dynamic environments like travel nursing.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $99,550 for registered nursesin the Baltimore 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