Average registered nurse compensation in Pennsylvania 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 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.
Want a personalized salary review for your specialty and market?
Get a Salary Review from a Talent Agent