Registered Nurse Salary in Erie, PA: $84,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Erie, PA earns a median $84,248/year (≈ $40.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $92,631 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, the 2026 projected median annual salary for registered nurses stands at $84,248, demonstrating the impact of specialized certifications like CCRN and CEN on base pay. Registered nurses in this region can expect to earn between $69,315 and $107,458, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This figure highlights a significant 5.31% growth rate in salaries, indicating the demand for qualified nursing professionals in Erie PA. However, despite this increase, Erie’s registered nurse pay is approximately 17.99% below the national median of $102,730. Such figures illuminate the local job market dynamics where specialty certification can markedly elevate earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,315 | $33.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,742 | $39.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,248 | $40.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,066 | $49.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,458 | $51.67 |
Median Salary Position
17.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,143 (2026 est.). At $84,248, the local median is 17.99% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Erie median: $84,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $93,713 | -10.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -17.99% less |
Registered Nurses in Erie, PA earn a median of $84,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.99% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 10.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $93,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $84,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,631 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,770
2025 BLS Actual
$80,000
2026 Current Est.
$84,248
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.8% from $59,770 (2019) to $80,000 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,952 (48.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $69,315 – $82,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,742 – $84,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,248 – $102,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,066 – $107,458 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Erie
The job market for registered nurses in Erie is buoyed by approximately 3,060 professionals actively employed in various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95, nurses here experience lower living expenses compared to national averages, which can enhance their overall purchasing power. Employers in Erie that typically offer higher compensation include acute care hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and travel nursing agencies. Several factors, including shift differentials that raise pay by $3-7/hr for night shifts and weekend work, contribute to the variability in earnings. Strategies to optimize registered nurse salary in Erie include pursuing specialty certifications, seeking positions in high-demand units like the ICU and ED, and considering travel nursing opportunities, which often feature elevated rates. This multifaceted approach can maximize earning potential in a market that values expertise and flexibility.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 $80,000 for registered nursesin the Erie 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