Registered Nurse Salary in Ponce, PR: $40,618 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Ponce, PR earns a median $40,618/year (≈ $19.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $54,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Ponce, Puerto Rico, see a median annual salary estimated at $40,618, a figure considerably lower than the national median of $102,730. Within this local market, compensation varies significantly, with salaries ranging from $38,270 at the 10th percentile to an upper limit of $61,048 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect not only the standard pay but also how shift differentials can contribute significantly to earnings. Working nights and weekends can enhance compensation substantially, as many employers in Ponce recognize the value of around-the-clock nursing care and offer additional pay to those who take on those schedules. The job market for registered nurses in Ponce remains strong, with approximately 1,980 nurses currently employed in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,354 | $18.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,618 | $19.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,189 | $21.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,048 | $29.35 |
Median Salary Position
60.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,778 (2026 est.). At $40,618, the local median is 60.46% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ponce Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Ponce median: $40,618/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $40,740 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -60.46% less |
Registered Nurses in Ponce, PR earn a median of $40,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.46% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.30% below the Puerto Rico state average of $40,740.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,460
2025 BLS Actual
$38,570
2026 Current Est.
$40,618
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,618 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 18.8% from $32,460 (2019) to $38,570 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,315 (31.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $38,270 – $39,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,354 – $40,618 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,618 – $45,189 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,189 – $61,048 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Ponce
An analysis of the registered nurse pay in Ponce PR indicates that local living costs may affect the real earning potential for RNs, despite the seemingly modest salaries. However, certain employers, such as acute care hospitals and surgical specialty centers, offer more competitive compensation packages that can include bonuses for certifications and specialties. The spread between lower and higher-tier nursing salaries often hinges on factors such as shift differential pay, with nights often commanding an additional $3-7 per hour, and weekends bringing in $3-5 extra. Moreover, hospitals with magnet status or those employing nurses with specialty certifications generally pay more. To maximize their earning potential in this environment, aspiring and current RNs should consider strategies like pursuing specialty credentials, seeking positions in high-demand areas such as the ICU or ED, or even taking on travel nursing gigs, which have seen increased demand since the pandemic.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
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 $38,570 for registered nursesin the Ponce 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