Registered Nurse Salary in Gainesville, GA: $82,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Gainesville, GA earns a median $82,959/year (≈ $39.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $89,107 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Gainesville, Georgia are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,959. The salary range for this role varies significantly, spanning from $61,826 at the 10th percentile up to $112,789 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, highlight the economic dynamics of healthcare in this region. The substantial difference in salaries reflects not only the diversity of nursing positions available but also the impact of shift differentials where night and weekend shifts can significantly enhance pay, thus making Gainesville an attractive option for both new and seasoned nurses seeking better compensation.
About the Gainesville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,826 | $29.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,755 | $33.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,959 | $39.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,877 | $46.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,789 | $54.22 |
Median Salary Position
19.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,963 (2026 est.). At $82,959, the local median is 19.25% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $82,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $87,050 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -19.25% less |
Registered Nurses in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $82,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.25% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $87,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $82,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,107 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,193
2025 BLS Actual
$78,776
2026 Current Est.
$82,959
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,193 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $59,193 (2019) to $78,776 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,171 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $61,826 – $69,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,755 – $82,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,959 – $95,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,877 – $112,789 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Gainesville
The local job market for registered nurses remains stable, with approximately 11 RNs employed in Gainesville, indicating a limited yet consistent demand for healthcare professionals. With a cost of living index of 93.1, the purchasing power of registered nurse salaries in Gainesville may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, allowing for a favorable quality of life. Local employers include hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and home health agencies, with those in acute care and ICU settings typically commanding higher wages due to the associated responsibilities. The differences in nurse pay can largely be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, which can add $3 to $7 per hour for nights and weekends, and the presence of specialty certifications that may also fetch additional stipends. For job seekers, targeting magnet-status hospitals or seeking travel nursing positions can enhance earning potential while providing valuable experience in varied settings.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
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 $78,776 for registered nursesin the Gainesville 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
Salary data for Gainesville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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