Registered Nurse salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Registered Nurses in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $82,200 a year ($39.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,260 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 12% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $93,550. There are 25 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,310 | $33.32 |
| 25th percentile | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Median | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 75th percentile | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| Average (mean) | $88,160 | $42.39 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,850 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,425 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,161.54 |
| Weekly | $1,580.77 |
| Hourly | $39.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,490 | 56,460 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $87,760 | 6,880 |
| Savannah, GA | $86,760 | 4,200 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $85,070 | 3,100 |
| Rome, GA | $83,880 | 1,740 |
| Dalton, GA | $83,290 | 1,000 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $82,630 | 1,010 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $82,500 | 2,790 |
| Hinesville, GA | $82,490 | 270 |
| Albany, GA | $80,390 | n/a |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $79,770 | 6,460 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,980 | 1,090 |
| Valdosta, GA | $74,360 | 1,110 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| Physicians, All Other | $235,360 | $113.15 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| Veterinarian | $123,320 | $59.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $281,100 | $135.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $217,050 | $104.35 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,080 | $48.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,890 | $45.14 |
| Dentists, General | $166,440 | $80.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $82,200 a year, or $39.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $101,260 a year. The top 25% earn $99,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,310 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,990 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 2,400 registered nurses are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.