RN Salary by Role in Pennsylvania
RN Pay by Metro in Pennsylvania
Where you work inside Pennsylvania moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $101,180 | $90,190 – $112,970 | $135,700 |
| Pittsburgh | $82,370 | $78,700 – $101,010 | $119,630 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
About RN Pay in Pennsylvania
Nurses in Pennsylvania earn wages near the national median, with staff RN pay averaging about $75,000 annually.
The earnings curve is significant across a nursing career in Pennsylvania. Entry-level new grad RNs generally start near $55,000, while experienced specialty nurses in high-acuity areas (ICU, ER, OR) average closer to $85,000. Leadership tracks open up further upside: nurse managers average around $95,000, directors of nursing near $110,000, and CNOs can reach $130,000. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CNSs, CRNAs, and CNMs) in Pennsylvania report average compensation around $95,000.
As a Nurse Licensure Compact member, Pennsylvania issues multistate RN and LPN licenses to residents, allowing nurses to practice across other compact states without applying for a separate license — a real advantage for travel nursing or remote telehealth work.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Pennsylvania.
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