Average registered nurse compensation in Florida across seven career stages — from new grad RN to Chief Nursing Officer. Updated 2026 benchmarks to help you negotiate, plan, and grow.
RN Salary by Role in Florida
Where you work inside Florida moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major Florida market, compared with the national RN median of $97,550. Tap a metro for hospitals, openings and cost of living.
| Metro | Median RN pay | Typical range | NP median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | $91,380 | $80,510 – $104,320 | $131,340 |
| Tampa | $85,470 | $79,250 – $102,180 | $128,120 |
| Orlando | $83,550 | $78,410 – $100,240 | $130,640 |
| Jacksonville | $83,520 | $78,810 – $100,210 | $133,810 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Florida offers solid, middle-of-the-road nursing pay, with staff RNs averaging roughly $71,000 a year.
In Florida, compensation grows considerably as nurses gain experience and take on more responsibility. New grad RNs typically start around $52,000, with specialty nurses in units like the ICU, ER, or OR averaging closer to $81,000. Moving into leadership brings a meaningful jump — nurse managers average about $90,000, directors of nursing around $104,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $123,000 or more. For nurses pursuing advanced practice roles (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM), average pay in Florida runs near $90,000.
Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate RN or LPN license issued here is valid for practice in other compact states — useful for travel nursing, telehealth, or relocating without re-licensing.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Florida.
Know your number, then get matched with roles that pay it.
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