What to Pay a Registered Nurse in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
How to set your RN pay range in Philadelphia
Three pay positions, modeled against current Philadelphia market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
RN salary percentile distribution in Philadelphia, PA
Where the Philadelphia market actually sits for RN base pay.
Most Philadelphia employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($92,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $82,000 and a max of $106,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Pennsylvania pay transparency compliance for RN job postings
What you must post when hiring a RN in Pennsylvania.
For a RN role in Philadelphia, a compliant good-faith range looks like $82,000 to $106,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $82,000–$106,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top RN employers in Philadelphia — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring RNs in the Philadelphia metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Medicine | Academic medical center system | $92K–$118K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Jefferson Health | Academic medical center system | $90K–$115K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| Temple Health | Academic medical center | $88K–$112K | Common ($8K–$15K) |
| ChristianaCare (DE) | Health system | $90K–$115K | Very common ($12K–$20K) |
| Main Line Health | Health system | $88K–$112K | Very common ($12K–$20K) |
RN talent supply and hiring difficulty in Philadelphia
How hard is it to fill a RN role in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's RN market spans PA and NJ jurisdictions. Penn Medicine, Jefferson, Temple, and ChristianaCare drive demand. NJ's 2025 pay transparency law affects the Camden/Burlington portions of the metro; PA has no statewide law.
Skill premiums RN candidates command in Philadelphia, PA
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CCRN | +8–12% | Very high |
| CEN | +7–11% | Very high |
| CNOR | +8–12% | Very high |
| BSN (vs ADN) | +5–8% | Standard at academic centers |
RN total compensation in Philadelphia — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for RNs in Philadelphia. "Prevalence" reflects share of Philadelphia disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Philadelphia Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $92,000 (median) | 100% |
| Shift differential | +12–20% premium | ~88% |
| Sign-on bonus | $8,000–$20,000 | ~72% |
| Certification pay | +5–12% premium | ~58% |
| Tuition reimbursement | $3,000–$5,000/yr | ~60% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$115K–$142K | — |
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.
RN pay by setting in Philadelphia — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the RN range splits by employer type in the Philadelphia metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute-care hospital (med-surg) | $88,000 | $78K–$102K | Above national avg |
| ICU / Critical care | $108,000 | $95K–$124K | Very high |
| Emergency department | $104,000 | $92K–$120K | Very high |
| OR / Perioperative | $106,000 | $94K–$122K | High |
| Ambulatory / clinic | $78,000 | $70K–$90K | Moderate |
RN salary in Philadelphia vs. other Pennsylvania and nearby metros
What you'd pay if you hired in a nearby metro instead.
| Location | Median Base | vs. Philadelphia | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $92,000 | — | Above national avg |
| New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,000 | +14.1% | Above national avg |
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $96,000 | +4.3% | Above national avg |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $74,000 | −19.6% | Moderate |
| Pennsylvania statewide | $78,000 | −15.2% | — |
| U.S. national | $93,600 | — | — |
FAQ: hiring a Registered Nurse in Philadelphia, PA
Related RN pay benchmarks — Pennsylvania 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.