Registered Nurse Salary

Baltimore vs Severn: Registered Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare registered nurse salaries between Baltimore, MD and Severn, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$104,836
$50.40/hr
Severn, MD
$109,823
$52.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDSevern, MD
Median Salary$104,836$109,823
Hourly Rate$50.40$52.80
Entry Level (P10)$81,721$80,179
25th Percentile$88,134$91,622
75th Percentile$113,766$127,228
Top Earner (P90)$131,659$154,773
Total Employed30,93012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($104,836) and Severn ($109,823) registered nurse salaries.BaltimoreSevernMedian Salary$104,836$109,823Entry Level (P10)$81,721$80,179Top Earner (P90)$131,659$154,773US Median $102,730

Verdict

Severn, MD offers better overall compensation for registered nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Severn is $4,987 (4.76%). Severn's median is +6.90% compared to the US national median of $102,730.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $49,938,Severn spans $74,594. Severn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced registered nurses.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$81,721
P25$88,134
Median$104,836
P75$113,766
P90 (Top)$131,659
Severn
P10 (Entry)$80,179
P25$91,622
Median$109,823
P75$127,228
P90 (Top)$154,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Severn ($100,478 effective) pays 0.14% more than Baltimore ($100,334 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $104,836
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $100,334
Severn
Nominal: $109,823
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $100,478

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (30,930 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Severn if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,823/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,773)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,478)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, registered nurse salaries in Baltimore grew 28.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Severn over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+28.8%

$77,320 (2019) → $99,550 (2025)

Severn, MD

+10.9%

$94,076 (2024) → $104,285 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays registered nurses more: Baltimore or Severn?

Severn has a higher median registered nurse salary at $109,823/year, compared to Baltimore at $104,836/year — a difference of $4,987 (4.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Severn?

Baltimore registered nurses earn $50.40/hr while Severn hygienists earn $52.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Severn as a registered nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Severn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $100,334, Severn = $100,478), job availability (30,930 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level registered nurses earn in Baltimore vs Severn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) registered nurses earn $81,721 in Baltimore and $80,179 in Severn. The Baltimore area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, RN, MSNData verified by Carlos Gomez, RN, DNP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.31% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov