How Much Does an RN Make in Maryland in 2026?

A typical RN in Maryland earns about $47.98 per hour ($99,790 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,316 a month, or $1,919 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay for registered nurses working across the state, from hospitals to outpatient clinics.

Maryland pay runs 2% above the national figure of $97,550, and the state ranks 15th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for RN pay. That places Maryland in the upper third nationally. The state's 52,910 registered nurses make it one of the larger nursing workforces on the East Coast.

Entry-level positions in Maryland typically offer around $36.91 an hour ($76,780 a year) for registered nurses just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical statewide figure of $99,790 within the first several years on the job. New graduates often start in this range regardless of setting, with increases tied to experience and additional certifications.

Experienced RNs in Maryland can earn well above the entry-level range, and the top 10% of earners make over $124,790 a year ($59.99 an hour). That leaves a spread of $48,010 between entry-level and top pay. The gap mostly reflects years of experience, unit specialization, and location, with higher figures more common in hospital settings and larger metro areas.

Maryland RN pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $72,090 in 2015 to $99,790 in 2025. That's a gain of $27,700, or 38%, over ten years. The rise has been fairly steady year over year, with a small dip in 2021 before accelerating through 2022 and 2023.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same decade, a bit faster than Maryland's climb. The pattern shows steady growth in nursing pay rather than any single dramatic jump. For someone entering the field now, the trend points to pay that has moved up consistently, though past growth is no guarantee of future gains.

Pay runs highest in the Alexandria metro area, where RNs earn $102,710 a year, about 3% above the statewide figure. Columbia, Towson, and Baltimore follow closely, each at $99,550 a year, close to typical statewide pay. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Pay runs lowest in the Hagerstown metro area, at $92,770 a year, putting the statewide spread at $9,940 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. The Alexandria metro area also has the largest RN workforce in the state, with 46,830 registered nurses. Areas with higher pay tend to carry a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily mean more money left over each month.

Maryland's RN pay sits close to its neighbors, though the comparisons vary. The District of Columbia pays 3% more at $102,540 a year, while West Virginia pays 20% less at $80,130 a year, the widest gap among neighboring states. Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia land closer to Maryland's figure. RN licenses are often transferable or eligible for endorsement between neighboring states, which can open up job options across state lines.

RNs in Maryland typically earn $99,790 a year ($47.98 an hour), a figure that has risen 38% over the past decade. Pay ranges from around $76,780 for entry-level positions to over $124,790 for the top 10% of earners, with the highest pay concentrated in the Alexandria metro area. For specific requirements, check Maryland's nursing licensing board, and for local figures, see the city-level pages for Baltimore, Columbia, and other Maryland metro areas.