Registered Nurse Salary in Lakeland, FL
Registered Nurses in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $84,030 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,945 take-home, or $5,662 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,657
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,210
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,218
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$67,945
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,610 | $31.06 | $54,094 | $4,508 |
| 25th percentile | $75,640 | $36.37 | $62,043 | $5,170 |
| Median (50th) | $84,030 | $40.40 | $67,945 | $5,662 |
| 75th percentile | $93,680 | $45.04 | $74,734 | $6,228 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,070 | $49.07 | $80,636 | $6,720 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,030 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $67,945 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,945 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 Lakeland, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #137 of 206 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 | Bend, OR | $135,010 | $92,480 | $89,260 |
| 7 | Bakersfield, CA | $128,810 | $89,883 | $89,094 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $128,260 | $98,932 | $89,021 |
| 137 | Lakeland, FL | $84,030 | $67,945 | $69,945 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 206 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Naples, FL — $93,330
- Tallahassee, FL — $79,430
- Gainesville, FL — $81,870
- Deltona, FL — $84,180
- Tampa, FL — $85,470
- Jacksonville, FL — $83,520
- Ocala, FL — $79,230
- North Port, FL — $86,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Lakeland, FL?
The median registered nurse salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $84,030 a year, or about $40.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,640 and $93,680.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $84,030 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $67,945 a year ($5,662 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,945 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #137 of 206 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.