Registered Nurse Salary in New Bedford, MA: $108,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in New Bedford, MA earns a median $108,562/year (≈ $52.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $100,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salary in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is projected to reach a median of $108,562, slightly above the national median of $102,730. This competitive compensation reflects the city's demand for skilled nurses and is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials that significantly boost earnings, especially for those working nights and weekends. The full salary range for registered nurses in the area extends from $79,434 at the lower 10th percentile to $151,415 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and account for regional price adjustments, indicating a favorable job market for nursing professionals in New Bedford.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($109,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,434 | $38.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,906 | $43.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,562 | $52.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,009 | $59.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,415 | $72.80 |
Median Salary Position
5.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,981 (2026 est.). At $108,562, the local median is 5.68% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Registered Nurse Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $108,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $107,807 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +5.68% more |
Registered Nurses in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $108,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $107,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,562 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,057 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,740
2025 BLS Actual
$103,088
2026 Current Est.
$108,562
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 34.3% from $76,740 (2019) to $103,088 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,587 (48.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $79,434 – $90,906 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,906 – $108,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,562 – $124,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,009 – $151,415 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in New Bedford
Currently, there are 24 registered nurses employed in the New Bedford area, suggesting a stable job market but also underscoring the importance of competitive compensation strategies. A cost-of-living index of 108.5 highlights that while salaries may appear attractive, they must be weighed against local living expenses. Interestingly, health employers that pay the highest salaries include hospital systems, particularly in acute care, ICU, and emergency departments. Understanding how factors such as specialty certification stipends, shift differentials, and charge nurse roles impact pay scales is crucial for maximizing registered nurse pay in New Bedford, MA. For instance, evening and weekend shifts can add between $3 to $7 per hour, while pursuing specializations or considering travel nursing positions may further enhance earnings potential in this competitive local environment.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $103,088 for registered nursesin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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