Registered Nurse Salary in Athens, GA
Registered Nurses in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median $82,200 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,014 take-home, or $5,251 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$9,254
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,096
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,192
- Georgia income tax$3,643
- Take-home pay$63,014
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.19% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Athens, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,310 | $33.32 | $54,615 | $4,551 |
| 25th percentile | $78,990 | $37.98 | $60,923 | $5,077 |
| Median (50th) | $82,200 | $39.52 | $63,014 | $5,251 |
| 75th percentile | $99,810 | $47.99 | $74,489 | $6,207 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,260 | $48.68 | $75,434 | $6,286 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,200 buys in Athens, GA
Prices in Athens, GA are 6.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $63,014 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,508 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Athens, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.15).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Athens, GA ranks #321 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 321 | Athens, GA | $82,200 | $63,014 | $67,508 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Georgia
- Atlanta, GA — $100,490
- Macon, GA — $85,070
- Augusta, GA — $87,760
- Brunswick, GA — $82,630
- Rome, GA — $83,880
- Dalton, GA — $83,290
- Columbus, GA — $82,500
- Savannah, GA — $86,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Athens, GA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $82,200 a year, or about $39.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,990 and $99,810.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Athens, GA?
On the median $82,200 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $63,014 a year ($5,251 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,643 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 6.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,508 would in a typical U.S. city. Athens, GA ranks #321 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Athens, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Athens, GA is $1,183 a month ($1,331 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.