What the numbers say
About 29,030 Registered Nurses work in the Baltimore metro, making it one of the larger nursing labor markets on the East Coast. The 2024 median annual wage was $97,140, a small step above the Maryland median of $96,830 and about 3% above the national median of $94,511.
The proximity of the three figures is worth noting. Baltimore nurses earn close to what Maryland nurses earn overall, which suggests the metro neither dominates the state's wage picture nor lags it. The national gap is real but narrow at roughly $2,600 a year.
What varies more is the spread within Baltimore itself. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned $75,810, while those at the 90th earned $122,470. The top earners made about 62% more than the bottom earners. That kind of range typically reflects differences in specialty, seniority, and care setting. An ICU nurse with 15 years in a major academic medical center lands in a very different part of that range than a newly licensed nurse in an outpatient clinic.
The mean wage of $97,130 sits almost exactly at the median, which is unusual. In most metro markets, a small number of very high earners pull the average above the midpoint. The near-identical figures here suggest Baltimore's nursing wages cluster fairly tightly around the middle, with fewer extreme outliers at the top end than you see in some coastal markets.
Salary distribution
Where Baltimore registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,690 and $108,030, with a median of $99,550.
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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Registered Nurses
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Baltimore, Maryland?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in the Baltimore metropolitan area is $99,550.
- Does Baltimore pay more than the Maryland state average for Registered Nurses?
- The Baltimore metro median is -0.2% versus the Maryland state median of $99,790.
- How does Baltimore compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Baltimore metro median is +1.2% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Baltimore?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,600 and the 90th-percentile at $125,020 for the Baltimore metro area.
- 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. BLS metro estimates reflect the Baltimore CBSA boundary 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.