Registered Nurse Salary in Reading, PA
Registered Nurses in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median $98,470 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,081 take-home, or $6,257 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Reading, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,833
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,105
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,428
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,023
- Take-home pay$75,081
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Reading, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,040 | $35.12 | $57,971 | $4,831 |
| 25th percentile | $83,510 | $40.15 | $65,016 | $5,418 |
| Median (50th) | $98,470 | $47.34 | $75,081 | $6,257 |
| 75th percentile | $105,820 | $50.88 | $80,026 | $6,669 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,720 | $62.37 | $95,947 | $7,996 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,470 buys in Reading, PA
Prices in Reading, PA are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $75,081 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,355 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 Reading, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Reading, PA ranks #78 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 |
| 78 | Reading, PA | $98,470 | $75,081 | $77,355 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Lebanon, PA — $96,270
- Williamsport, PA — $94,300
- Allentown, PA — $101,440
- York, PA — $96,210
- Johnstown, PA — $84,390
- Philadelphia, PA — $101,180
- Harrisburg, PA — $96,770
- Altoona, PA — $82,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Reading, PA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Reading, PA metro area is $98,470 a year, or about $47.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,510 and $105,820.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Reading, PA?
On the median $98,470 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $75,081 a year ($6,257 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,023 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Reading, PA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,355 would in a typical U.S. city. Reading, PA ranks #78 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Reading, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reading, PA is $1,237 a month ($1,575 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 Reading, PA
- Physicians, All Other — $77,820
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,950