Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Ohio earn $105,290 per year. Senior specialists with advanced experience or specialized credentials regularly reach that level. If you are hiring for a high-acuity or leadership role, plan to offer at or above $105,290 to attract candidates at the top of the Ohio market.
Registered nurse salary in Ohio (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Ohio is $87,730 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $82,510 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Ohio employs 143,730 registered nurses, and the $5,220 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Ohio typically earn around $66,980, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $105,290 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Ohio, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $82,510 |
Average Annual Salary | $87,730 |
vs. National Average | 13.5% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 143,730 employed registered nurses across Ohio.
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Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $66,980 |
25th Percentile | $79,200 |
75th Percentile | $99,030 |
90th Percentile | $105,290 |
When setting an offer for a registered nurse in Ohio, the $79,200 to $99,030 band covers the middle half of the market and gives you a defensible range for most mid-level hires. Senior specialists with specialized experience regularly reach $105,290, so budget above that threshold if you are competing for top-tier candidates.
City | Average Annual Salary |
Cincinnati | $89,940 |
Columbus | $88,780 |
Toledo | $86,600 |
Location-based compensation differences in Ohio are relatively narrow, so your city of hire will have a modest but real effect on offer levels. Cincinnati leads at $89,940, while Toledo comes in at $86,600, a spread of $3,340 across the three major metros. If you are hiring across multiple Ohio locations, a single statewide pay band can work, but you may want to apply a small geographic adjustment for Cincinnati roles.
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Ohio | $87,730 | $82,510 |
Illinois | $94,360 | $95,990 |
Michigan | $94,300 | $94,300 |
Pennsylvania | $94,020 | $96,430 |
Indiana | $89,150 | $83,500 |
Kentucky | $86,140 | $81,040 |
Ohio is a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring relative to most of its regional peers, which gives employers here a real budgeting advantage. Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania all post average salaries above $94,000, compared to Ohio's $87,730. Indiana and Kentucky are the only nearby states with comparable or lower pay levels, so Ohio employers competing for nurses who might consider relocating to those states are generally well-positioned on compensation.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Ohio
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Ohio?
What is the average registered nurse salary in Ohio?
The average registered nurse salary in Ohio is $87,730 per year, with a median of $82,510. The gap between those two figures reflects a segment of higher-compensated roles pulling the average above the midpoint. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your initial offer to the $82,510 median will give you a more accurate read on where the bulk of the candidate market sits.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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