90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Atlanta, GA
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Atlanta: $90K Median

Registered Nurses in Atlanta, GA earn between $67K and $139K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta, GA is $90,374 per year — +5% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,314 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Atlanta earned approximately $13,693 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$90,374
+560.0% YoY · $7,531/mo
Entry
$68,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$139,314
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Atlanta vs Nearby
Atlanta
$90K
Chicago
$90K
+0% vs Atlanta
Philadelphia
$90K
+1% vs Atlanta
Nashville
$86K
+5% vs Atlanta

Free ATS scan · Atlanta employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Atlanta

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Atlanta Job Market

Major Southeast logistics, media, and film hub with strong tech growth.

Population
499K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$410K

Top Industries in Atlanta

Logistics (Delta, UPS)TechMedia (CNN)HealthcareFilm/TV

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Atlanta or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Atlanta

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$66,906$90,374$139,314
Monthly$5,576$7,531$11,610
Weekly$1,287$1,738$2,679
Hourly$32$43$67

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Atlanta

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,447.783
Per month$5,621
Biweekly paycheck$2,594
Effective tax rate25.4%

Tax Breakdown on $90,374

Gross salary$90,374
Federal income tax−$11,584.28
Georgia state tax−$4,428.326
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,913.611
Take-home (net)$67,447.783

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Atlanta

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Atlanta.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,790
2–3 yr$68,250
4–6 yr$89,250
7–10 yr$110,250
11–15 yr$130,095
15+ yr$124,782

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Atlanta's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,693
2026 median:$90,374
Change:+$76,681

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$84,462
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Atlanta

Walk-away anchor: $82,158 (offers below this are below market for Atlanta).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $110K–$139K for experienced roles, citing Atlanta market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Atlanta

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta, GA?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta is $90,374 per year as of April 2026 — $7,531/month, $1,738/week, or about $43/hour. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,314 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $90,374 a good Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Atlanta's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $90,374 a real purchasing power of approximately $84,462 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $90,374 in Atlanta?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Atlanta specifically (median home price $410,000), a $90,374 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $90,374 enough for a single person in Atlanta?
A single adult in Atlanta typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $90,374 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $90,374 enough for a couple in Atlanta?
A couple (one earner) in Atlanta typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $90,374 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $90,374 each ($180,748 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $90,374 enough for a family of 4 in Atlanta?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Atlanta typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $90,374 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Atlanta. Childcare costs in Atlanta typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Atlanta?
On a $90,374 Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta, GA, you take home approximately $67,447.783 per year ($5,621/month, $2,594 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,584.28, state $4,428.326, FICA $6,913.611. Effective tax rate: 25.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Atlanta earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Atlanta earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $90,374 in Atlanta). However, Atlanta's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $84,462 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Atlanta?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Atlanta typically start at around $68,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $110,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $139,314+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Atlanta increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Atlanta grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,693 in 2025 to $90,374 in 2026 (+$76,681). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Atlanta?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Atlanta's top industries include Logistics (Delta, UPS), Tech, Media (CNN), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Atlanta.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Atlanta?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Atlanta include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Atlanta?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Atlanta?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Atlanta's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Atlanta are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Atlanta's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Atlanta

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$90KHouston, TX$90KPhiladelphia, PA$90KDallas, TX$90KFort Worth, TX$88KCharlotte, NC$88KSacramento, CA$93KRaleigh, NC$90K

Land a $90K+ Registered Nurse Role in Atlanta

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Healthcare roles