Registered Nurse Salary in Columbus, OH
Registered Nurses in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $83,900 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,329 take-home, or $5,527 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,628
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,202
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,217
- Ohio income tax$1,525
- Take-home pay$66,329
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,720 | $32.56 | $55,391 | $4,616 |
| 25th percentile | $80,070 | $38.50 | $63,740 | $5,312 |
| Median (50th) | $83,900 | $40.34 | $66,329 | $5,527 |
| 75th percentile | $101,360 | $48.73 | $78,132 | $6,511 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,770 | $50.85 | $81,113 | $6,759 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,900 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $66,329 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,477 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbus, OH has 1.3× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #258 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 |
| 258 | Columbus, OH | $83,900 | $66,329 | $69,477 |
*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 Ohio
- Mansfield, OH — $81,300
- Sandusky, OH — $81,310
- Lima, OH — $81,440
- Youngstown, OH — $78,680
- Canton, OH — $79,610
- Cleveland, OH — $83,940
- Dayton, OH — $82,510
- Springfield, OH — $80,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Columbus, OH?
The median registered nurse salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $83,900 a year, or about $40.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,070 and $101,360.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $83,900 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $66,329 a year ($5,527 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,525 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,477 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #258 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
- Nurse Anesthetist — $231,810
- Physicians, All Other — $214,760
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $179,810
- Dentists, General — $166,180
- Physician Assistant — $137,550
- Pharmacist — $133,960
- Nurse Practitioner — $124,580
- Veterinarian — $123,270
- Physical Therapist — $105,130
- Occupational Therapist — $98,920
- Dental Hygienist — $96,880
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $96,460