Registered Nurse Salary in Wooster, OH: $82,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Wooster, OH earns a median $82,858/year (≈ $39.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $91,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wooster, Ohio, a registered nurse can expect an annual salary of $82,858 in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for nursing professionals in the region. The salary range spans from $63,424 at the 10th percentile to $115,031 for those at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse earning potential influenced by various factors. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. This compensation landscape presents notable contrasts, especially against the national median salary of $102,730, highlighting a significant pay differential that may impact staffing dynamics between permanent and travel nurses in the area.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,424 | $30.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,164 | $34.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,858 | $39.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,314 | $44.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,031 | $55.30 |
Median Salary Position
19.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,607 (2026 est.). At $82,858, the local median is 19.34% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wooster Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Wooster median: $82,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $85,597 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -19.34% less |
Registered Nurses in Wooster, OH earn a median of $82,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.34% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $85,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster 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.
Wooster, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,858 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,354 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,121
2025 BLS Actual
$78,680
2026 Current Est.
$82,858
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,589 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $59,121 (2019) to $78,680 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,137 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $63,424 – $71,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,164 – $82,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,858 – $92,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,314 – $115,031 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Wooster
With only six registered nurses employed locally, the job market in Wooster is relatively small but connected to a community that values healthcare talent. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.7, which means that salaries are positioned favorably in terms of local purchasing power despite being lower than the national average. Among employers, hospital systems typically offer the highest registered nurse pay in Wooster, particularly in critical care environments like ICUs and emergency departments. Specialty certifications can also increase compensation, with additional pay for night shifts or weekend work contributing to overall earnings. For nurses looking to maximize their pay, pursuing opportunities in travel nursing or acquiring advanced certifications may provide the best routes in this competitive market.
More salary data for Wooster, 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 $78,680 for registered nursesin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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