Registered Nurse Salary in Brookline, MA: $104,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Brookline, MA earns a median $104,517/year (≈ $50.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Brookline's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,329 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Brookline, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,517, slightly above the national median of $102,730. This reflects not only the area's demand for qualified healthcare professionals but also the premium associated with specialized certifications such as Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), which can significantly boost base pay. Salary estimates indicate a range from $75,034 at the 10th percentile to $145,842 at the 90th percentile, highlighting substantial earning potential based on experience and skill level. As the local nursing workforce continues to adapt to healthcare demands, especially in high-acuity settings, Brookline represents a competitive market for registered nurse pay.
About the Brookline Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,034 | $36.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,163 | $41.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,517 | $50.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,255 | $58.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,842 | $70.12 |
Median Salary Position
1.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookline
In Brookline, MA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,808 (2026 est.). At $104,517, the local median is 1.74% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookline Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Brookline median: $104,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $107,750 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +1.74% more |
Registered Nurses in Brookline, MA earn a median of $104,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 3.00% below the Massachusetts state average of $107,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookline has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookline, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,517 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,329 — a 7.83% 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
$74,575
2025 BLS Actual
$99,247
2026 Current Est.
$104,517
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Brookline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,575 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,067 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookline metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $74,575 (2019) to $99,247 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,492 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookline 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) | $75,034 – $86,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,163 – $104,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,517 – $122,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,255 – $145,842 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Brookline
With a modest number of registered nurses employed—only 13 in the area—Brookline's job market for this profession remains tightly-knit. The cost of living index stands at 108.5, indicating a higher than average cost of living, which influences overall purchasing power for nurses. Major local employers, including acute care hospitals and specialty surgical centers, are key players in determining salary scales. Factors driving pay disparities include shift differentials that can add $3-7 per hour for night shifts and weekend duty, along with additional incentives for those holding specialty certifications or in charge nurse roles. For nurses looking to maximize their earnings, exploring opportunities in Magnet-status hospitals and pursuing travel nursing roles, which maintain elevated salaries due to demand, are prudent strategies in this competitive marketplace.
More salary data for Brookline, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Brookline, MA in 2026?
Is Brookline, MA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Brookline?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Brookline?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Brookline?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $99,247 for registered nursesin the Brookline 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 Brookline 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