Average Registered Nurse Salary in FloridaNo State Income Tax
Registered Nurses in Florida earn an average of $90,088 per year across 4 metro areas. This is +3.8% lower than the national average.
Average Salary
$90,088
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.31
per hour
vs National
-3.8%
$93,600 national
Salary Range
$59,359
to $132,402
About Registered Nurse Careers in Florida
Registered nurses (RNs) are essential healthcare professionals who provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and offer emotional support to patients and their families. They work in various healthcare settings and serve as the backbone of the healthcare system, providing critical care and advocacy for patients.
In Florida, registered nurses earn an average of $90,088 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $59,359 for entry-level roles to $132,402 for the most experienced professionals — +3.8% below the national average. Pay is influenced most by nursing specialty (icu, emergency, oncology tend to pay more), education level (bsn vs. adn), and the specific metro area within Florida.
What Registered Nurses Really Earn in Florida
Florida is the third-largest employer of registered nurses in the country — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data places it behind only California and Texas for total RN employment. The salary figures on this page reflect the most recent BLS release and are reviewed for the 2025–2026 period. Florida RN pay sits modestly above the national average in raw dollars, which is lower than California or New York — but two factors make Florida nursing pay more valuable than a raw comparison suggests.
The first is taxes: Florida has no state income tax, so a Florida RN keeps more of every dollar earned than a nurse making the same gross salary in high-tax states like California or New York. The second is Florida’s Nurse Licensure Compact membership, which grants a Florida-licensed nurse the ability to practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license — a major practical advantage for travel nurses. Florida’s booming population and large retiree demographic create persistent demand for nurses across the state. Major health systems — HCA Healthcare, AdventHealth, BayCare Health System, Jackson Health System, Orlando Health, UF Health, Tampa General Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida, and Cleveland Clinic Florida — compete aggressively for experienced nurses.
Pay is highest in South Florida (Miami–Fort Lauderdale) and the Tampa Bay area, where the combination of large health systems, a high cost of living, and demand for specialized nursing skills pushes salaries above the state average. Orlando and Jacksonville follow. Inland and rural areas of the state pay less in dollar terms but offer very affordable living costs. Travel nursing contracts in Florida can pay $2,000 to $3,500 per week — often significantly more than staff positions. Specialty certifications (ICU, ER, operating room, labor and delivery, oncology), overtime, and shift differentials can add substantially to the base salaries shown below.
Cost of Living Adjusted Salary
Nominal Salary
$90,088
Cost of Living Index
102
100 = national average
Adjusted Salary
$88,322
purchasing power equivalent
After adjusting for Florida's cost of living (above average), a Registered Nurse's salary of $90,088 has the purchasing power of $88,322 in an average-cost area. Additionally, Florida has no state income tax, further increasing take-home pay.
Registered Nurse Salary by City in Florida
| City | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Entry Level (P10) | Senior (P90) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | $93,159 | $44.79/hr | $62,485 | $139,149 | 2,785 |
| Tampa, FL | $91,966 | $44.21/hr | $57,577 | $137,298 | 2,995 |
| Orlando, FL | $89,003 | $42.79/hr | $60,148 | $130,370 | 2,728 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $86,225 | $41.45/hr | $57,225 | $122,789 | 2,891 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS Survey, 2026. Sorted by median salary (highest first).
Florida vs National Average
Registered Nurse Salary Comparison
Employment in Florida
There are approximately 11,399 Registered Nurses employed across 4 metro areas in Florida.
Key Industries: Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
State Income Tax: None (tax-free state)
Registered Nurse Salary Range in Florida
Entry Level (10th Percentile)
$59,359
Starting salary for new Registered Nurses
Median (50th Percentile)
$90,088
Mid-career Registered Nurse salary
Senior (90th Percentile)
$132,402
Top earners in the field
Related Occupations in Florida
Pharmacist
$131,552
avg in FL
+$41,464 vs Registered Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
$123,181
avg in FL
+$33,093 vs Registered Nurse
Dental Hygienist
$88,781
avg in FL
-$1,307 vs Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
$58,558
avg in FL
-$31,530 vs Registered Nurse
Nursing Assistant
$37,061
avg in FL
-$53,027 vs Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Salary in Neighboring States
Compare Registered Nurse salaries in Florida with nearby states to find the best opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Florida nurse salaries look lower than California or New York?
Florida RN pay in raw dollars is below California and New York — both of which have exceptionally high costs of living and some of the nation’s strongest nursing unions. However, Florida has no state income tax, so nurses keep more of their paycheck than in those high-tax states. After taxes and living costs, a Florida nurse’s real purchasing power is often competitive with states that post higher headline salaries. Florida also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, making multi-state practice straightforward.
Which Florida cities pay registered nurses the most?
South Florida (Miami and Fort Lauderdale) and the Tampa Bay area typically pay the most, driven by large health system density and cost of living. Orlando and Jacksonville follow. Rural areas and smaller cities pay less in dollar terms but have a much lower cost of living. See the city-by-city table above for current figures.
Is Florida a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Florida is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means a Florida multistate license allows RNs to practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license. This is a significant practical advantage — particularly for travel nurses — and distinguishes Florida from non-compact states like California and New York, where nurses must hold a separate state license to practice.
Can Florida RNs earn more than the base salary shown here?
Yes. The figures on this page reflect BLS base wages, but Florida nurses can substantially increase total pay through specialty certifications (ICU, ER, OR, labor and delivery, oncology), overtime, night and weekend shift differentials, and travel or per-diem nursing contracts. Florida is a popular destination for travel nurses, and contracts can pay $2,000 to $3,500 per week — often well above a staff nurse’s equivalent hourly rate.
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Florida?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Florida is $90,088 per year ($43.31/hour) based on 2026 data across 4 metro areas. This is 3.8% below the national average of $93,600.
What is the highest paying city for Registered Nurses in Florida?
Miami, FL is the highest paying city for Registered Nurses in Florida, with a median salary of $93,159 per year. The lowest paying metro area is Jacksonville, FL at $86,225.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Florida?
Registered Nurse salaries in Florida range from $59,359 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,402 (experienced, 90th percentile). The median salary is $90,088 per year.
About This Data
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. State-level averages are calculated from metro area data within Florida. Figures represent 2026 estimates and may not reflect all employers or self-employed workers. Cost of living adjustments use regional indices to provide purchasing power context.