Registered Nurse Salary in Cortland, NY: $96,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Cortland, NY earns a median $96,939/year (≈ $46.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $83,640 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $96,939 in 2026, registered nurse pay in Cortland, NY, competes closely with national averages. The salary range is notably broad, spanning from $74,010 at the 10th percentile to $127,122 at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by cost adjustments reflecting Cortland's unique economic conditions, providing a valuable perspective for nurses evaluating career options in this region. It’s important for local nurses to understand how shift differentials for night and weekend shifts can significantly amplify their overall compensation, as many employers in the area offer additional pay of $3 to $7 per hour for night shifts, along with weekend bonuses that can add up to $5 hourly. Given these compensation dynamics, Cortland presents a robust market for nursing professionals.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,407 | $39.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,939 | $46.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,918 | $52.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,122 | $61.11 |
Median Salary Position
5.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,112 (2026 est.). At $96,939, the local median is 5.64% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cortland Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Cortland median: $96,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $105,254 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -5.64% less |
Registered Nurses in Cortland, NY earn a median of $96,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.64% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $105,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,939 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,640 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,168
2025 BLS Actual
$92,051
2026 Current Est.
$96,939
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,084 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,226 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,642 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $69,168 (2019) to $92,051 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,918 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $74,010 – $82,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,407 – $96,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,939 – $109,918 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,918 – $127,122 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Cortland
Employed registered nurses in Cortland, though few in number at just four, have opportunities to maximize their earning potential in a region where the cost-of-living index stands at 115.9. This means that while salaries might appear lower than national averages, the reality of living expenses must be factored into any financial planning. Local healthcare facilities, particularly acute care hospitals and specialty clinics, tend to offer the highest pay rates, especially in critical care areas like ICU and ED. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include night and weekend differentials, specialty certifications, and roles like charge nurse positions in magnet-status hospitals, which often favor BSN-prepared nurses. To enhance take-home pay, registered nurses in Cortland should consider pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like the AACN or ENA, while also exploring travel nursing opportunities that leverage the higher demand in this area, especially stemming from trends seen during the pandemic.
More salary data for Cortland, NY:
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 $92,051 for registered nursesin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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