How Much Does an RN Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

A typical RN in Pennsylvania earns about $46.36 per hour, or $96,430 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,036 a month and $1,854 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city and by experience, covered further down.

Pennsylvania's typical pay sits about 1% below the national figure of $97,550, a gap that is more modest than in many states. The state ranks 20th among 51 states and Washington, D.C. for registered nurse pay. With 146,520 registered nurses working across the state, Pennsylvania has one of the larger RN workforces in the country.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $34.04 an hour, or about $70,800 a year, for registered nurses just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $96,430 within the first several years on the job. New graduates in hospital settings often see faster increases than those in smaller clinics. Location within the state also plays a role in how quickly pay climbs.

Experienced registered nurses in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $104,730 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $117,900. That leaves a spread of $47,100 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual nurse lands within that range. Specialized units and larger metro areas tend to pay toward the higher end.

Pennsylvania's typical RN pay has climbed from $65,690 in 2015 to $96,430 in 2025, a gain of $30,740 over the decade. That amounts to a 47% rise in typical pay over ten years. The increase has been steady rather than sudden, building year over year rather than in a single jump.

Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, putting Pennsylvania's growth slightly ahead of the national pace. That comparison suggests the state has kept up with, and slightly exceeded, national wage trends for the profession. For someone entering the field now, this history shows pay has moved up steadily over the past decade, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.

Allentown pays Pennsylvania's registered nurses the most, with typical pay reaching $101,440 a year, about 5% above the state figure. Philadelphia follows closely at $101,180 a year, and Reading rounds out the top tier at $98,470. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than the city limits alone.

Erie pays the least among Pennsylvania's metro areas, with typical RN pay at $80,000 a year, a spread of $21,440 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Philadelphia has the largest RN workforce in the state, with 73,790 registered nurses, even though its pay sits slightly below Allentown's. Higher pay in cities like Allentown and Philadelphia generally lines up with a higher cost of living in those areas.

Pennsylvania's RN pay trails several of its neighbors. New York pays the most nearby, with typical pay of $109,440 a year, 13% above Pennsylvania's figure, and New Jersey follows at $106,500, 10% higher. Ohio and West Virginia pay less, at $82,510 and $80,130. A nursing license earned in Pennsylvania can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Registered nurses in Pennsylvania typically earn $96,430 a year, a figure that has grown 47% over the past decade. For specific requirements, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing licensing page outlines what's needed to practice in the state, and the nurse registry can confirm current standing. City pages on this site break down local pay in more detail, from Allentown to Erie.