Registered Nurse Salary in Gaithersburg, MD: $113,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Gaithersburg, MD earns a median $113,104/year (≈ $54.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Gaithersburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $103,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, registered nurses can anticipate a robust median annual salary of $113,104 in 2026, which positions them approximately 10.10% above the national median of $102,730. The salary range for this profession spans from $78,984 at the 10th percentile to $154,766 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse earning potential contingent upon experience, specialty certifications, and specific employment settings. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments underscore the competitive landscape for nursing professionals in this area, where demand for skilled nurses remains high across various health settings. Gaithersburg’s job market offers exciting opportunities, especially for individuals with advanced certifications like CCRN or CEN, which often command a higher pay premium.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,984 | $37.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,580 | $44.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,104 | $54.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,812 | $62.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,766 | $74.40 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gaithersburg
In Gaithersburg, MD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,782 (2026 est.). At $113,104, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gaithersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gaithersburg Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Gaithersburg median: $113,104/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gaithersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $112,318 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +10.10% more |
Registered Nurses in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $113,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $112,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gaithersburg has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,104 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,480 — a 8.51% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$80,702
2025 BLS Actual
$107,401
2026 Current Est.
$113,104
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,702 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,937 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,762 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,401 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gaithersburg metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $80,702 (2019) to $107,401 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,408 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gaithersburg 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) | $78,984 – $91,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,580 – $113,104 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,104 – $130,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,812 – $154,766 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Gaithersburg
In terms of job market dynamics, there are currently 14 registered nurses employed in Gaithersburg, contributing to a relatively tight labor pool. With a cost-of-living index of 109.3, living expenses in this area surpass the national average, which can significantly impact take-home pay. Employers such as acute care hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and urgent care clinics tend to offer the highest salaries among local nursing roles, driven by the complexities of care provided in these settings. Variations in pay arise from several factors, including shift differentials that reward night and weekend shifts with additional pay, along with stipends for specialty certifications. For those looking to maximize earnings, seeking positions in magnet-status hospitals or pursuing travel nursing roles can substantially increase compensation due to the heightened demand for nurses in specialty areas. Strategies such as negotiating for additional stipends or considering on-call opportunities can enhance overall pay in the competitive Gaithersburg market.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Gaithersburg, MD in 2026?
Is Gaithersburg, MD a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Gaithersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Gaithersburg?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Gaithersburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $107,401 for registered nursesin the Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg 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