Registered Nurse Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Registered Nurses in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $82,370 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,249 take-home, or $5,354 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,291
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,107
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,194
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,529
- Take-home pay$64,249
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,910 | $32.65 | $54,520 | $4,543 |
| 25th percentile | $78,700 | $37.84 | $61,779 | $5,148 |
| Median (50th) | $82,370 | $39.60 | $64,249 | $5,354 |
| 75th percentile | $101,010 | $48.56 | $76,790 | $6,399 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,790 | $53.75 | $84,042 | $7,004 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,370 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $64,249 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,865 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Pittsburgh, PA has 1.2× 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
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #172 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 |
| 172 | Pittsburgh, PA | $82,370 | $64,249 | $67,865 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Reading, PA — $98,470
- Allentown, PA — $101,440
- York, PA — $96,210
- Philadelphia, PA — $101,180
- Harrisburg, PA — $96,770
- Lancaster, PA — $89,620
- Erie, PA — $80,000
- Scranton, PA — $82,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $82,370 a year, or about $39.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,700 and $101,010.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $82,370 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $64,249 a year ($5,354 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,529 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,865 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #172 of 206 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
- Physicians, All Other — $187,680
- Pharmacist — $134,180
- Physician Assistant — $125,230
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $63,060
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $47,610
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $45,210
- Pharmacy Technician — $41,780