Registered Nurse Salary in Ellicott City, MD: $112,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Ellicott City, MD earns a median $112,766/year (≈ $54.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Ellicott City's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $103,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Registered nurses in Ellicott City, Maryland, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $112,766 in 2026, which represents a notable 9.77% increase compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range for RNs in the area spans from $78,199 at the 10th percentile to $153,906 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost of living, reflects how shift differentials for nights and weekends can significantly influence earnings. Indeed, many employers in Ellicott City provide additional pay for those willing to take on these shifts, showcasing the job market's responsiveness to nursing demands in this particular region.
About the Ellicott City Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,199 | $37.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,895 | $43.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,766 | $54.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,368 | $61.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,906 | $73.99 |
Median Salary Position
9.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellicott City
In Ellicott City, MD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,707 (2026 est.). At $112,766, the local median is 9.77% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ellicott City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ellicott City Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Ellicott City median: $112,766/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellicott City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $112,317 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +9.77% more |
Registered Nurses in Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $112,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $112,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellicott City has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellicott City, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,766 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,171 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,461
2025 BLS Actual
$107,080
2026 Current Est.
$112,766
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ellicott City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,461 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,689 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,181 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,155 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,597 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellicott City metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $80,461 (2019) to $107,080 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,293 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellicott 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) | $78,199 – $90,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,895 – $112,766 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,766 – $127,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,368 – $153,906 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Ellicott City
With only 15 registered nurses currently employed in Ellicott City, the local job market remains somewhat limited, yet the relatively high cost of living index at 109.3 indicates that compensations need to align with increased living expenses. Compensation in the Ellicott City area can vary widely based on employer type; for instance, hospital systems with acute care, ICU, and ED settings tend to offer higher pay scales. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include shift differentials that can add $3-7 per hour during night shifts or weekends, specialty certification stipends, and the potential for charge nurse pay in settings with magnet status. To maximize pay in this market, registered nurses should consider pursuing specialty certifications and exploring opportunities within higher-paying institutions or traveling nursing positions, which can be especially lucrative.
More salary data for Ellicott City, 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 $107,080 for registered nursesin the Ellicott 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
Salary data for Ellicott City 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