RN Salary by Role in Ohio
RN Pay by Metro in Ohio
Where you work inside Ohio moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $83,940 | $81,370 – $102,500 | $130,800 |
| Columbus | $83,900 | $80,070 – $101,360 | $124,580 |
| Cincinnati | $83,650 | $80,530 – $102,620 | $128,700 |
| Dayton | $82,510 | $79,380 – $99,740 | $118,210 |
| Toledo | $81,050 | $78,410 – $98,890 | $121,780 |
| Akron | $80,770 | $79,220 – $97,870 | $127,090 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
About RN Pay in Ohio
Nurses in Ohio earn wages near the national median, with staff RN pay averaging about $70,000 annually.
The earnings curve is significant across a nursing career in Ohio. Entry-level new grad RNs generally start near $51,000, while experienced specialty nurses in high-acuity areas (ICU, ER, OR) average closer to $79,000. Leadership tracks open up further upside: nurse managers average around $88,000, directors of nursing near $102,000, and CNOs can reach $121,000. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CNSs, CRNAs, and CNMs) in Ohio report average compensation around $88,000.
Ohio 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 Ohio.
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