Registered Nurse Salary in Athens, OH: $79,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Athens, OH earns a median $79,445/year (≈ $38.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Athens's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $87,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Athens, Ohio, the registered nurse salary hinges on the distinct divides between staff and travel nursing roles. For 2026, local registered nurses can expect a median annual salary of $79,445, which is notably lower than the national figure of $102,730. The local salary range varies from $59,204 at the 10th percentile to $105,304 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differences in experience, role, and working conditions. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate the unique compensation environment for nurses in Athens, where the demand for staff nurses may be tempered by the lucrative appeal of travel nursing positions that surged during the pandemic and remain attractive in higher-cost-of-living specialty markets.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,204 | $28.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,481 | $31.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,445 | $38.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,091 | $42.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,304 | $50.62 |
Median Salary Position
22.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, OH, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,100 (2026 est.). At $79,445, the local median is 22.67% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Athens median: $79,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $85,609 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -22.67% less |
Registered Nurses in Athens, OH earn a median of $79,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.67% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $85,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $79,445 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,686
2025 BLS Actual
$75,439
2026 Current Est.
$79,445
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,686 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,561 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,325 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,439 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,663 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $56,686 (2019) to $75,439 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,663 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,977 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $59,204 – $66,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,481 – $79,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,445 – $89,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,091 – $105,304 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Athens
The job market for nurses in Athens is relatively modest, with only five registered nurses currently employed in the area, indicating a niche opportunity for those looking to enter this field. The cost of living index stands at 90.7, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, nurses in Athens enjoy a lower cost landscape that benefits their purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital systems tend to offer the highest pay, particularly those in acute care and critical care settings. The variability between lower and higher salaries is influenced by factors like specialty certifications, shift differentials for nights and weekends, and the magnet status of hospitals, which often attracts a more qualified nursing workforce. For aspiring RNs in this area, obtaining specialized training and considering shifts that offer differential pay can significantly enhance earnings potential within the Athens market.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
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 $75,439 for registered nursesin the Athens 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 Athens 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