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2026 Salary Data — Baltimore, MD
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Baltimore: $95K Median

Registered Nurses in Baltimore, MD earn between $70K and $146K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Baltimore, MD is $94,677 per year — +10% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $70,092 (entry, 25th percentile) to $145,948 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Baltimore earned approximately $14,345 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$94,677
+560.0% YoY · $7,890/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$145,948
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Baltimore vs Nearby
Baltimore
$95K
Austin
$99K
-4% vs Baltimore
Denver
$95K
+0% vs Baltimore
Miami
$90K
+5% vs Baltimore

Free ATS scan · Baltimore employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Baltimore

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

Baltimore Job Market

Major medical and government hub anchored by Johns Hopkins.

Population
585K
Cost of Living
117
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$350K

Top Industries in Baltimore

Healthcare (Johns Hopkins)GovernmentDefenseFinanceEducation

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Baltimore 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 — Baltimore

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,092$94,677$145,948
Monthly$5,841$7,890$12,162
Weekly$1,348$1,821$2,807
Hourly$34$46$70

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Baltimore

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,329.109
Per month$5,611
Biweekly paycheck$2,590
Effective tax rate28.9%

Tax Breakdown on $94,677

Gross salary$94,677
Federal income tax−$12,530.94
Maryland state tax−$4,544.496
Baltimore local tax−$3,029.664
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,242.791
Take-home (net)$67,329.109

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 — Baltimore

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Baltimore.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$93,500
7–10 yr$115,500
11–15 yr$136,290
15+ yr$130,724

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Baltimore's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,345
2026 median:$94,677
Change:+$80,332

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
$80,921
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Baltimore

Walk-away anchor: $86,070 (offers below this are below market for Baltimore).

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 $116K–$146K for experienced roles, citing Baltimore market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Baltimore

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Baltimore, MD?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Baltimore is $94,677 per year as of April 2026 — $7,890/month, $1,821/week, or about $46/hour. Salaries range from $70,092 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,948 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $94,677 a good Registered Nurse salary in Baltimore?
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. Baltimore's cost-of-living index is 117 (vs 100 nationally), giving $94,677 a real purchasing power of approximately $80,921 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $94,677 in Baltimore?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Baltimore specifically (median home price $350,000), a $94,677 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $94,677 enough for a single person in Baltimore?
A single adult in Baltimore typically needs ~$52,650 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $94,677 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $94,677 enough for a couple in Baltimore?
A couple (one earner) in Baltimore typically needs ~$84,240 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $94,677 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $94,677 each ($189,354 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $94,677 enough for a family of 4 in Baltimore?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Baltimore typically needs ~$128,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $94,677 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 Baltimore. Childcare costs in Baltimore typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Baltimore?
On a $94,677 Registered Nurse salary in Baltimore, MD, you take home approximately $67,329.109 per year ($5,611/month, $2,590 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,530.94, state $4,544.496, local $3,029.664, FICA $7,242.791. Effective tax rate: 28.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Baltimore earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Baltimore earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $94,677 in Baltimore). However, Baltimore's cost-of-living index of 117 means real purchasing power is approximately $80,921 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Baltimore?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Baltimore typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $115,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $145,948+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Baltimore increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Baltimore grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,345 in 2025 to $94,677 in 2026 (+$80,332). 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 Baltimore?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Baltimore's top industries include Healthcare (Johns Hopkins), Government, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Baltimore.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Baltimore?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Baltimore 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 Baltimore?
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 Baltimore?
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 Baltimore?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Baltimore'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 Baltimore are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — 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 Baltimore

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

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$99KDenver, CO$95KPortland, OR$95KSacramento, CA$93KMinneapolis, MN$95K

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