Registered Nurse salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Median pay, Pittsburgh metro
$82,370/year
about $39.60 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $78,700 – $101,010
Half of registered nurses in the Pittsburgh metro area earn more than $82,370 a year and half earn less. That's 16% lower than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #30 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $67,910 | $32.65 |
| 25th | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Median (50th) | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| 75th | $101,010 | $48.56 |
| 90th (top earners) | $111,790 | $53.75 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Pittsburgh metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $78,700 ($37.84/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $78,700 to $101,010 ($37.84 to $48.56/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $101,010 ($48.56/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Pittsburgh metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.