Registered Nurse Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $117,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $117,421/year (≈ $56.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,928 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, NJ, registered nurses can anticipate a median annual salary of $117,421 in 2026, which is competitive compared to the national median of $102,730. This salary spectrum ranges from $83,132 at the lower end (P10) to a top-tier earning potential of $172,126 (P90), reflecting both the demand for nursing professionals and the impact of specialty certifications such as CCRN and CEN, which can command a premium on base pay. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, indicating solid opportunities for nursing roles in this area. With Lakewood's healthcare landscape growing, the prospects for RNs are enhanced by a supportive community and ongoing demand for skilled professionals.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,132 | $39.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,214 | $46.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,421 | $56.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,091 | $66.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,126 | $82.75 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,994 (2026 est.). At $117,421, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $117,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,368 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | +14.30% more |
Registered Nurses in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $117,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $118,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,421 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,928 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,782
2025 BLS Actual
$111,500
2026 Current Est.
$117,421
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,782 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,102 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $83,782 (2019) to $111,500 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,874 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $83,132 – $96,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,214 – $117,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,421 – $139,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,091 – $172,126 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Lakewood
Despite a relatively small workforce of 31 registered nurses in Lakewood, the local job market demonstrates resilience amidst a higher cost-of-living index rated at 115.2, which impacts take-home purchasing power. Local healthcare employers, particularly acute care hospitals and specialty surgical centers, typically offer the most competitive pay structures. Factors contributing to the variation in registered nurse pay in Lakewood, NJ, include shift differentials for nights and weekends, which can add $3-$7 per hour, and the premiums associated with roles in intensive care or emergency departments. Registered nurses looking to maximize their earning potential in Lakewood should pursue specialty certifications recognized by bodies like AACN or ENA and consider working for magnet-status hospitals, where higher educational qualifications are often rewarded with better compensation.
More salary data for Lakewood, NJ:
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 $111,500 for registered nursesin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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