Registered Nurse Salary in Rockville, MD: $109,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Rockville, MD earns a median $109,467/year (≈ $52.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $100,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Rockville, MD, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $109,467, which exceeds the national median by approximately 6.56%. Salaries range significantly from $79,470 at the 10th percentile to $153,571 at the 90th percentile, a structure reflecting demand and market nuances. The figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost variations, which are notably high given Rockville's cost of living index of 109.3. While there is a robust market for nursing talent, the division between staff nurses and traveling nurses creates notable pay disparities. This environment suggests that strategic career choices, including specializing and seeking employment with high-paying institutions, can greatly influence earnings potential in this specific market.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,470 | $38.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,509 | $42.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,467 | $52.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,479 | $60.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,571 | $73.83 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,101 (2026 est.). At $109,467, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Rockville median: $109,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $112,273 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +6.56% more |
Registered Nurses in Rockville, MD earn a median of $109,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $112,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,467 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,153 — a 8.51% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$78,107
2025 BLS Actual
$103,947
2026 Current Est.
$109,467
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,107 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,947 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $78,107 (2019) to $103,947 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,172 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville 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) | $79,470 – $88,509 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,509 – $109,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,467 – $126,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,479 – $153,571 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Rockville
Among the 15 registered nurses currently employed in Rockville, the local job market shows strength, particularly within acute care settings such as hospital systems and specialty surgical centers where compensation tends to be higher. The cost of living further complicates the take-home pay landscape, as salaries must stretch significantly to meet everyday expenses. Notably, facilities that offer shift differentials—particularly for nights and weekends—often provide the highest compensation. Specialty certifications and positions in critical care or emergency settings can lead to increased earnings, as can roles in travel nursing. RNs looking to maximize their pay might consider pursuing positions in magnet-status hospitals or enhancing their qualifications with specialty credentials from organizations like the AACN or ENA. Understanding these factors is essential for those inquiring about registered nurse pay in Rockville, MD.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Rockville, MD in 2026?
Is Rockville, MD a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Rockville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Rockville?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Rockville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $103,947 for registered nursesin the Rockville 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 Rockville 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