How Much Does an RN Make in Florida in 2026?

A typical RN in Florida earns about $40.48 per hour, or $84,190 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $7,016 a month and $1,619 a week, both figures calculated from the annual median. These numbers describe the middle of the pay range across the state's RN workforce. Actual paychecks vary by city, employer, and years of experience.

Florida's typical RN pay sits 14% below the national figure of $97,550 a year, where the typical hourly rate is $46.90. That gap places Florida 34th among the 50 states and D.C. tracked in the survey. Florida employs 229,940 RNs, one of the larger nursing workforces in the country. Lower pay in Florida often tracks the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states.

Entry-level RN positions in Florida typically offer around $32.68 an hour, or about $67,970 a year, for those just starting out. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $84,190 within the first few years on the job. New nurses often start in smaller cities or lower-paying settings before moving into roles that pay closer to the state figure.

Experienced RNs in Florida often earn upwards of $57.85 an hour, or $120,330 a year, figures that also mark the top 10% of earners statewide. That leaves a spread of $52,360 between entry-level pay and the top of the range. Setting and specialty matter, with intensive care and surgical units typically paying more than general or outpatient roles. City also plays a part in the difference.

Florida's typical RN pay rose from $62,140 in 2015 to $84,190 in 2025, a gain of $22,050 over the decade. That amounts to a 35% increase in typical annual pay over ten years. The rise wasn't perfectly steady, with pay climbing gradually through the late 2010s before jumping sharply between 2020 and 2021. By 2025, typical pay had settled into a slower but still upward climb.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, faster than Florida's 35% climb. That gap helps explain why Florida's typical pay now sits further behind the national figure than it once did. For someone starting an RN career in Florida today, the trend shows pay has moved up substantially over the past decade, though that pace is not guaranteed to continue.

RN pay runs highest in Marco Island and Naples, where the typical wage reaches $93,330 a year, about 11% above the statewide figure. Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale follow closely at $91,380 a year. These South Florida and Southwest Florida metro areas consistently post the state's highest figures, which likely reflects their higher cost of living.

Panama City posts the lowest typical RN pay in the state at $75,310 a year, a gap of $18,020 from the top-paying metro area. Miami has the largest RN workforce of any Florida city, with 61,670 nurses earning a typical $91,380 a year. Each figure covers the full metro area around that city, not just the city center itself.

Georgia RNs typically earn $93,550 a year, about 11% more than Florida's figure, while Alabama trails at $77,080, about 8% below Florida. Nurses weighing a move across state lines can compare Georgia's higher pay or Alabama's lower cost against Florida's own figures. RN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between states, which makes comparing nearby pay figures a practical part of planning a move.

Florida RNs typically earn $84,190 a year as of May 2025, up 35% over the past decade from $62,140 in 2015. Pay varies by city, from Panama City to Marco Island, and sits below the national figure overall. Readers weighing a Florida nursing career can check the Florida Board of Nursing for licensing requirements and review city-specific pages on this site for local pay figures.