Registered Nurse Salary in Elmira, NY: $87,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Elmira, NY earns a median $87,218/year (≈ $41.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $92,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.2% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Elmira, New York, are projected to reach a median annual income of $87,218, reflecting a competitive placement within the local healthcare market. Registered nurses can expect salaries ranging from $70,610 at the lower end (P10) to $103,678 (P90) for those with more experience or specialization. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting future compensation based on employment trends. Night and weekend shifts often provide additional compensation, which can significantly enhance earnings in this area. As healthcare facilities in Elmira seek to retain talent, candidates might find lucrative opportunities to elevate their registered nurse pay by working evenings or weekends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,610 | $33.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,565 | $41.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,218 | $41.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,160 | $47.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,678 | $49.84 |
Median Salary Position
15.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,068 (2026 est.). At $87,218, the local median is 15.1% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be above the median
How Elmira Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Elmira median: $87,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $105,335 | -17.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -15.10% less |
Registered Nurses in Elmira, NY earn a median of $87,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.10% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 17.20% below the New York state average of $105,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 94.398 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,670
2025 BLS Actual
$82,820
2026 Current Est.
$87,218
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 22.4% from $67,670 (2019) to $82,820 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,179 (35.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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) | $70,610 – $86,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,565 – $87,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,218 – $99,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,160 – $103,678 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Elmira
Despite a relatively lower cost of living index at 94.398, which suggests a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages, the compensation for registered nurses in Elmira may still fall short when compared to the national median. With around 730 registered nurses employed locally, various employers, including acute care hospitals and specialty clinics, play a significant role in compensation differences. Factors driving salary variation hinge on shift differentials, specialty certifications, and the prestige associated with hospitals having magnet status. Those pursuing positions in intensive care units or emergency departments typically see higher pay, driven by demand. To maximize earnings, registered nurses in Elmira should consider continuing education and certifications, as well as being open to travel nursing, which offers higher pay scales in response to ongoing workforce demands. Understanding how compensation structures work in substance will be beneficial in making informed career decisions in the local healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 $82,820 for registered nursesin the Elmira 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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