Registered Nurse Salary in Tampa, FL: $90,008 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Tampa, FL earns a median $90,008/year (≈ $43.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $89,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For registered nurses in Tampa, Florida, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $90,008, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730, reflecting a 12.38% difference. This local pay scale ranges considerably, with entry-level positions at approximately $77,182 (P10) and more experienced nurses earning upwards of $131,079 (P90). Shift differentials significantly impact compensation in this region, as nurses who work nights and weekends can earn between $3 to $7 more per hour. According to the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these salary figures suggest a competitive market, driven by Tampa's robust healthcare system and the increasing demand for nursing professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,182 | $37.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,458 | $40.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,008 | $43.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,606 | $51.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,079 | $63.02 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,897 (2026 est.). At $90,008, the local median is 12.38% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Tampa Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Tampa median: $90,008/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $86,298 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -12.38% less |
Registered Nurses in Tampa, FL earn a median of $90,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.30% above the Florida state average of $86,298.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,008 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,214 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,750
2025 BLS Actual
$85,470
2026 Current Est.
$90,008
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,008 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 26.2% from $67,750 (2019) to $85,470 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,038 (39.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,182 – $83,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,458 – $90,008 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,008 – $107,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,606 – $131,079 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Tampa
The job market for registered nurses in Tampa remains strong, with 38,720 employed in various healthcare settings throughout the area. Despite the cost of living index being slightly above the national average at 100.89, registered nurse pay in Tampa FL still allows for reasonable purchasing power. Major employers, including acute care hospital systems, often offer higher compensation, particularly in specialty areas like ICU and emergency departments. The pay disparity between various nursing roles often stems from factors such as specialty certification stipends, hospital magnet status, and charging nurse responsibilities. For RNs looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications through organizations like the AACN or seeking roles in high-demand specialties can be particularly effective strategies in the Tampa job market.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $85,470 for registered nursesin the Tampa metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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