Registered Nurses in Maryland. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Maryland earned a median annual wage of $96,830 in 2024, about 2.5% above the US median of $94,511. The gap is real but not large. Maryland sits closer to the national figure than many readers expect given its proximity to major hospital systems and a high overall cost of living.
The spread between low and high earners tells a fuller story. At the 10th percentile, RNs in Maryland earned $75,470. At the 90th, they earned $121,150. That $45,680 range reflects how much experience, specialty, and setting matter in nursing. A new grad at a community hospital and a senior ICU nurse at an academic medical center are both counted in that median.
Maryland's cost-of-living index sits at 109.2, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 9% above the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the $96,830 median translates to closer to $88,700 in national-baseline purchasing terms, which lands just below the US median rather than above it. The nominal premium narrows considerably once you account for what the money actually buys here.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of change by their classification. Maryland's 48,980 employed RNs represent a substantial workforce, and average growth at that scale still means thousands of positions over the decade.
Salary distribution
Where Maryland registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,740 and $107,340, with a median of $99,790.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Maryland
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Maryland over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Maryland metropolitan areas.
- Baltimore$99,550
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Maryland with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Maryland?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Maryland is $99,790.
- How does Maryland compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Maryland median is +1.5% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Maryland?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,780 and the 90th-percentile at $124,790, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.