Registered Nurse salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Registered Nurses in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $82,370 a year ($39.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,790 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 15% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $96,430. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,910 | $32.65 |
| 25th percentile | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Median | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 75th percentile | $101,010 | $48.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,790 | $53.75 |
| Average (mean) | $88,880 | $42.73 |
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 | $6,864.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,432.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,168.08 |
| Weekly | $1,584.04 |
| Hourly | $39.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $101,440 | 10,860 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $101,180 | 73,790 |
| Reading, PA | $98,470 | 3,430 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $96,770 | 9,210 |
| Lebanon, PA | $96,270 | 1,300 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $96,210 | 3,680 |
| Williamsport, PA | $94,300 | 1,230 |
| Lancaster, PA | $89,620 | 5,640 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $88,260 | 480 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $85,270 | 1,030 |
| Johnstown, PA | $84,390 | 1,190 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $82,650 | 5,400 |
| Altoona, PA | $82,410 | 1,390 |
| State College, PA | $81,480 | 1,310 |
| Erie, PA | $80,000 | 3,060 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $187,680 | $90.23 |
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,230 | $60.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | $57.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $275,930 | $132.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,860 | $43.68 |
| Dentists, General | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Veterinarian | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,570 | $107.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $82,370 a year, or $39.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $111,790 a year. The top 25% earn $101,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,910 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $78,700 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 29,360 registered nurses are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.