Registered Nurse Salary in Lexington, MA: $103,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Lexington, MA earns a median $103,150/year (≈ $49.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $95,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Lexington, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $103,150, which positions them slightly above the national median of $102,730. This salary is reflective of the area's higher cost of living, with a cost of living index of 108.5, indicating that expenses in Lexington are higher than the national average. Nurses in this region can earn anywhere from $77,120 at the 10th percentile to $141,041 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a healthy range of compensation that allows for growth within the profession. Specialty certifications such as CCRN or CEN can further enhance base pay, making it an attractive prospect for registered nurses looking to maximize their earnings while also providing specialized care within the community.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,236 | $41.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,150 | $49.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,478 | $56.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,041 | $67.81 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, MA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,921 (2026 est.). At $103,150, the local median is 0.41% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Lexington median: $103,150/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $107,785 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +0.41% more |
Registered Nurses in Lexington, MA earn a median of $103,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 4.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $107,785.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,150 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,069 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,600
2025 BLS Actual
$97,949
2026 Current Est.
$103,150
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $73,600 (2019) to $97,949 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,027 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $77,120 – $87,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,236 – $103,150 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,150 – $117,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,478 – $141,041 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Lexington
The job market for registered nurses in Lexington remains competitive, with only six RNs currently employed in the area, highlighting the localized nature of healthcare demand. Given the elevated cost of living, registered nurse pay in Lexington, MA, reflects the need to attract and retain skilled professionals. Top-paying employers typically include acute care hospitals, emergency departments, and surgical specialty centers, where skills such as those associated with magnet status and advanced certifications can lead to increased salaries. Understanding shift differentials is crucial; working nights or weekends can augment gross pay by $3 to $7 per hour. For nurses aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialty certifications, exploring opportunities in high-demand areas like home health or travel nursing, and considering night or weekend shifts can be effective strategies to enhance their compensation within the vibrant healthcare environment of Lexington.
More salary data for Lexington, MA:
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 $97,949 for registered nursesin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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