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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Cleveland: $79K Median

Registered Nurses in Cleveland, OH earn between $59K and $122K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Cleveland, OH is $79,184 per year — -8% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $58,622 (entry, 25th percentile) to $122,066 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Cleveland earned approximately $11,998 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$79,184
+560.0% YoY · $6,599/mo
Entry
$59,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$96,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$122,066
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$79K
Columbus
$83K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$76K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$78K
+1% vs Cleveland

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About Registered Nurses in Cleveland

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

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Cleveland 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 — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$58,622$79,184$122,066
Monthly$4,885$6,599$10,172
Weekly$1,127$1,523$2,347
Hourly$28$38$59

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$60,044.744
Per month$5,004
Biweekly paycheck$2,309
Effective tax rate24.2%

Tax Breakdown on $79,184

Gross salary$79,184
Federal income tax−$9,122.48
Ohio state tax−$1,979.6
Cleveland local tax−$1,979.6
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,057.576
Take-home (net)$60,044.744

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 — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$55,016
2–3 yr$59,800
4–6 yr$78,200
7–10 yr$96,600
11–15 yr$113,988
15+ yr$109,333

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$11,998
2026 median:$79,184
Change:+$67,186

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
$89,982
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $71,985 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

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 $97K–$122K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Cleveland is $79,184 per year as of April 2026 — $6,599/month, $1,523/week, or about $38/hour. Salaries range from $58,622 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $122,066 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $79,184 a good Registered Nurse salary in Cleveland?
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. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $79,184 a real purchasing power of approximately $89,982 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $79,184 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $79,184 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $79,184 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $79,184 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $79,184 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $79,184 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $79,184 each ($158,368 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $79,184 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $79,184 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 Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Cleveland?
On a $79,184 Registered Nurse salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $60,044.744 per year ($5,004/month, $2,309 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $9,122.48, state $1,979.6, local $1,979.6, FICA $6,057.576. Effective tax rate: 24.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $79,184 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $89,982 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Cleveland typically start at around $59,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $96,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $122,066+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $11,998 in 2025 to $79,184 in 2026 (+$67,186). 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 Cleveland?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Cleveland'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 Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — 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 Cleveland

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

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$80KJacksonville, FL$79KColumbus, OH$83KIndianapolis, IN$80KDetroit, MI$80KMemphis, TN$76KOklahoma City, OK$76KLas Vegas, NV$82K

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