Registered Nurse Salary in Dundalk, MD: $108,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Dundalk, MD earns a median $108,452/year (≈ $52.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Dundalk's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $99,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for registered nurses in Dundalk, Maryland, is projected to be $108,452, which represents a competitive advantage compared to the national median of $102,730. This city offers a salary range from $77,151 at the lower end (P10) to $150,448 at the top (P90), indicating substantial earning potential for experienced RNs. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity reflect the necessity of accommodating the area's cost of living. Nurse compensation in Dundalk is further enhanced by shift differentials, particularly for those working nights and weekends, which can add $3 to $7 per hour, driving overall pay. With a workforce of 10 registered nurses, the local job market remains relatively small but promising, especially for those who specialize or are flexible with their shifts.
About the Dundalk Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,151 | $37.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,875 | $42.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,452 | $52.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,328 | $60.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,448 | $72.33 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dundalk
In Dundalk, MD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,297 (2026 est.). At $108,452, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dundalk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dundalk Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Dundalk median: $108,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dundalk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $112,270 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +5.57% more |
Registered Nurses in Dundalk, MD earn a median of $108,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $112,270.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dundalk has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dundalk, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,224 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,383
2025 BLS Actual
$102,984
2026 Current Est.
$108,452
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Dundalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,923 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,744 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,865 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,903 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,211 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dundalk metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $77,383 (2019) to $102,984 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,828 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dundalk 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) | $77,151 – $88,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,875 – $108,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,452 – $126,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,328 – $150,448 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Dundalk
As the cost-of-living index in Dundalk stands at 109.3, nurses in the area must consider how their take-home pay aligns with daily expenses. Those looking to maximize their registered nurse pay in Dundalk, MD, should target employment with hospitals and specialty clinics that generally offer higher wages, particularly in acute care settings like ICUs and emergency departments. Factors influencing pay differentials include premium rates for charge nurse roles, shift differentials for unsociable hours, and bonuses associated with specialty certifications. For maximizing earning potential, strategies such as pursuing magnet-status hospitals—favoring BSN-prepared candidates with specialty certifications—are recommended. The continuing rise of travel nursing also presents opportunities for competitive compensation, appealing to those willing to navigate temporary assignments within high-demand specialties. A proactive approach in the local employment market can significantly enhance overall career satisfaction and financial wellbeing.
More salary data for Dundalk, 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 $102,984 for registered nursesin the Dundalk 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 Dundalk 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