Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $51.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Allentown, PA runs $51.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,826 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,097 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Allentown, Pennsylvania, the registered nurse hourly pay averages an impressive $51.36, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $49.39. This attractive compensation plays a significant role in attracting both full-time and per-diem nurses to various healthcare settings, including hospital floors, intensive care units (MICU, SICU, CVICU, NICU, PICU), emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. Additionally, the hourly rate offers significant earning potential for those who prefer part-time work, allowing registered nurses to balance their professional commitments with personal needs. Workers in Allentown can expect to see a broad hourly range from $39.63 at the entry level to $59.77 for highly experienced RNs, reflecting the diverse experience levels found within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the competitive nature of registered nursing in the region.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.63 | $317.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.44 | $339.52 |
| Median (P50) | $51.36 | $410.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.03 | $424.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.77 | $478.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $51.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.36/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $106,828 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,632. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,054.39 | $8,902 | $106,828 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,232.63 | $5,341 | $64,097 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $821.75 | $3,561 | $42,731 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Allentown) | $51.36 |
| 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 Allentown, PA earn a median of $106,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.99% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 14.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $93,625.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.36/hr = $64,097/year (purchasing power: $64,117).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,828/year (purchasing power: $106,862).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Allentown grew 46.5% from $33.28/hr (2019) to $48.77/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.09/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 Allentown 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 Allentown
Looking at the financial prospects for registered nurses in Allentown, those working part-time, specifically on a three-day workweek (24 hours), can still realize significant take-home earnings, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. For instance, part-time RNs can comfortably earn around $49,200 annually. Per diem registered nurse pay in Allentown typically ranges from $50 to $80 an hour, making it an attractive option for those seeking flexibility in their schedules. Furthermore, travel nurse contracts can significantly boost income, offering weekly payments of $2,000 to $4,500, with crisis-rate ICU contracts potentially exceeding $5,000 to $8,000 in high-demand environments. However, registered nurses in Allentown must consider important trade-offs regarding hourly rates provided by different employers, from acute care hospitals to ambulatory clinics, often reflecting the inclusion or exclusion of health benefits. When negotiating pay, it’s beneficial to emphasize experience, certifications, and clinical specialties to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
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 Allentown. 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