Registered Nurse Salary in Trenton, NJ
Registered Nurses in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median $99,990 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,994 take-home, or $6,249 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Trenton, NJ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,168
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,199
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,450
- New Jersey income tax$4,179
- Take-home pay$74,994
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.37% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Trenton, NJ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,110 | $39.48 | $63,554 | $5,296 |
| 25th percentile | $95,220 | $45.78 | $71,942 | $5,995 |
| Median (50th) | $99,990 | $48.07 | $74,994 | $6,249 |
| 75th percentile | $113,310 | $54.48 | $83,516 | $6,960 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,900 | $60.53 | $91,489 | $7,624 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Jersey resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,990 buys in Trenton, NJ
Prices in Trenton, NJ are 3.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.35× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $74,994 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,682 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 Trenton, NJ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Trenton, NJ ranks #159 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 |
| 159 | Trenton, NJ | $99,990 | $74,994 | $72,682 |
*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 New Jersey
- Vineland, NJ — $103,380
- Atlantic City, NJ — $99,320
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Trenton, NJ?
The median registered nurse salary in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $99,990 a year, or about $48.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,220 and $113,310.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Trenton, NJ?
On the median $99,990 salary, a single filer living in New Jersey takes home about $74,994 a year ($6,249 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,179 in New Jersey taxes in 2026.
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 3.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,682 would in a typical U.S. city. Trenton, NJ ranks #159 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Trenton, NJ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Trenton, NJ is $1,545 a month ($1,950 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Trenton, NJ
- Nurse Practitioner — $153,630
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,380
- Pharmacy Technician — $38,100