Registered Nurse salary in State College, PA
Registered Nurses in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $81,480 a year ($39.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,380 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 16% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $96,430. There are 19 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| 25th percentile | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| Median | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| 75th percentile | $100,380 | $48.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,380 | $48.26 |
| Average (mean) | $87,480 | $42.06 |
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 | $6,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,395 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,133.85 |
| Weekly | $1,566.92 |
| Hourly | $39.17 |
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 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,370 | 29,360 |
| 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 State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Pharmacist | $135,010 | $64.91 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,480 | $61.77 |
| Dentists, General | $168,340 | $80.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Veterinarian | $131,500 | $63.22 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,460 | $46.37 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $43,980 | $21.15 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in State College, 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 State College, PA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the State College, PA metro area is $81,480 a year, or $39.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $100,380 a year. The top 25% earn $100,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,810 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $81,070 or less.
How many registered nurses work in State College, PA?
About 1,310 registered nurses are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.