2026 Salary — Maryland
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Maryland: $95K Median
Registered Nurses in Maryland earn between $70K and $146K per year.
That's +10% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Maryland 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). Maryland's cost-of-living index is 116. State income tax applies.
Median
$94,677
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$71,500
Experienced
$115,500
Top 10%
$145,948
About Registered Nurses in Maryland
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Registered Nurse Salary in Maryland Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $94,677 |
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Maryland
Walk-away anchor: $86,070.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Maryland
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Maryland?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Maryland is $94,677 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $70,092 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,948 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Maryland compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Maryland earn approximately 10% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $94,677 in Maryland). Maryland's cost-of-living index of 116 partially offsets the higher salary.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Maryland increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Maryland grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,345 in 2025 to $94,677 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Maryland cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying Maryland metros for Registered Nurses: Baltimore ($95K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Maryland?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Maryland's top industries include Healthcare (Johns Hopkins), Government/Defense, Biotech, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.2% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Maryland have state income tax?
Yes, Maryland has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $94,677, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Maryland employers.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Maryland?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Maryland: $86,070.
Methodology
Maryland Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Maryland's state multiplier (1.10×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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