What to Pay a Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse in Baltimore, MD (2026)
How to set your Med-Surg RN pay range in Baltimore
Three pay positions, modeled against current Baltimore market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Med-Surg RN salary percentile distribution in Baltimore, MD
Where the Baltimore market actually sits for Med-Surg RN base pay.
Most Baltimore employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($101,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $88,000 and a max of $116,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Maryland pay transparency compliance for Med-Surg RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a Med-Surg RN in Maryland.
| Requirement | Applies When | Penalty for Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Pay range in job postings | All employers must follow the law, regardless of size. | A first violation brings a letter ordering compliance. A second brings a fine of up to $300 per affected applicant or employee, and any later violation within three years of a prior violation finding brings up to $600 each. |
| General description of benefits in postings | All covered postings | Same as above |
For a Med-Surg RN role in Baltimore, a compliant good-faith range looks like $88,000 to $116,000. Job ads must include the wage range plus a general description of benefits and any other compensation.
Top Med-Surg RN employers in Baltimore — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Med-Surg RNs in the Baltimore metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins Medicine | Academic medical center | $95K–$119K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| University of Maryland Medical System | Health system | $95K–$119K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| MedStar Health | Health system | $95K–$119K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| LifeBridge Health | Health system | $95K–$119K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
| Adventist HealthCare | Health system | $95K–$119K | Very common ($10K–$18K) |
Med-Surg RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Baltimore
How hard is it to fill a Med-Surg RN role in Baltimore.
Baltimore med-surg RN market is the largest RN specialty by headcount. High turnover ratio drives constant recruitment cycles.
Skill premiums Med-Surg RN candidates command in Baltimore, MD
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CMSRN (Med-Surg certified) | +5–8% | Standard progression |
| Telemetry / step-down experience | +4–7% | High |
| Charge nurse experience | +5–8% | High |
| BSN (vs ADN) | +5–8% | Standard at Magnet hospitals |
Med-Surg RN total compensation in Baltimore — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Med-Surg RNs in Baltimore. "Prevalence" reflects share of Baltimore disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Baltimore Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $101,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–20% premium | ~90% |
| Sign-on bonus | $8K–$18K | ~76% |
| CMSRN certification pay | +5–8% on base | ~48% |
| Overtime opportunity | $11K–$22K annualized | ~94% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$121K–$141K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
Med-Surg RN pay by setting in Baltimore — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Med-Surg RN range splits by employer type in the Baltimore metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult med-surg (community) | $95,000 | $85K–$109K | Very high |
| Adult med-surg (academic) | $103,000 | $91K–$117K | Very high |
| Telemetry / step-down | $107,000 | $95K–$121K | Very high |
| Progressive care unit (PCU) | $109,000 | $97K–$123K | Very high |
| Ortho / surgical unit | $101,000 | $91K–$115K | High |
FAQ: hiring a Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse in Baltimore, MD
Related Med-Surg RN pay benchmarks — Maryland metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.