Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $50.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Baltimore, MD runs $50.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,836 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,901 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at a substantial $50.40, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $49.39. This competitive hourly wage provides ample opportunity for both full-time and part-time nurses, especially for those working three days a week or seeking per-diem roles. With the hourly rate ranging from $39.29 for entry-level positions to $63.30 for experienced professionals, registered nurses can find rewarding opportunities in various environments, including hospital floors, intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlighting the ongoing demand for skilled nursing staff in Baltimore's healthcare system.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.29 | $314.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.38 | $339.01 |
| Median (P50) | $50.40 | $403.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.70 | $437.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.30 | $506.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $50.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.40/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $104,835 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,482. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,016.05 | $8,736 | $104,835 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,209.63 | $5,242 | $62,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.42 | $3,494 | $41,934 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Baltimore) | $50.40 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $104,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 6.60% below the Maryland state average of $112,244.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.40/hr = $62,901/year (purchasing power: $60,200).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,835/year (purchasing power: $100,333).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Baltimore grew 28.8% from $37.17/hr (2019) to $47.86/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Baltimore
The earning potential for registered nurses who work part-time can be significant. A nurse opting for a three-day workweek, totaling 24 hours, could expect to take home an annual income that comfortably supplements their lifestyle, especially in a city with a cost of living index above average at 104.487. Per diem registered nurse pay in Baltimore often ranges from $50 to $80 per hour depending on specialty, while travel nursing continues to offer lucrative short-term contracts—sometimes paying as much as $5,000 to $8,000 per week in high-demand areas like crisis-rate ICUs. Differences across employer types, such as hospital systems versus ambulatory clinics or travel nursing agencies, can also reflect on hourly rates. Registered nurses may find themselves weighing the appeal of higher hourly rates against the security of employment benefits, which can influence their job choices. For those advocating for better compensation, it’s advisable to be equipped with market data and clearly articulate the value of their specialty training and credentials during negotiations in Baltimore’s competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Baltimore. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov