Registered Nurse salary in Columbus, OH
Registered Nurses in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $83,900 a year ($40.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 30,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,770 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $82,510. There are 28 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| 25th percentile | $80,070 | $38.49 |
| Median | $83,900 | $40.34 |
| 75th percentile | $101,360 | $48.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,770 | $50.85 |
| Average (mean) | $88,780 | $42.68 |
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 | $6,991.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,495.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,226.92 |
| Weekly | $1,613.46 |
| Hourly | $40.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $83,940 | 28,240 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $83,650 | 28,520 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $82,510 | 11,640 |
| Lima, OH | $81,440 | 1,630 |
| Sandusky, OH | $81,310 | 940 |
| Mansfield, OH | $81,300 | 1,160 |
| Toledo, OH | $81,050 | 7,890 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $81,010 | 5,580 |
| Akron, OH | $80,770 | 8,040 |
| Springfield, OH | $80,060 | 1,060 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $79,610 | 3,830 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $78,680 | 4,090 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $78,280 | 1,680 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $77,400 | 1,190 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $214,760 | $103.25 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,580 | $59.89 |
| Pharmacist | $133,960 | $64.40 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,880 | $46.58 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,460 | $46.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,550 | $66.13 |
| Veterinarian | $123,270 | $59.26 |
| Dentists, General | $166,180 | $79.89 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $179,810 | $86.45 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,810 | $111.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Columbus, OH metro area is $83,900 a year, or $40.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $105,770 a year. The top 25% earn $101,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,720 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $80,070 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Columbus, OH?
About 30,510 registered nurses are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.