Registered Nurse salary in Tampa, FL
Median pay, Tampa metro
$85,470/year
about $41.09 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $79,250 – $102,180
Half of registered nurses in the Tampa metro area earn more than $85,470 a year and half earn less. That's 12% lower than the national median of $97,550, and ranks #26 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $73,290 | $35.24 |
| 25th | $79,250 | $38.10 |
| Median (50th) | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| 75th | $102,180 | $49.13 |
| 90th (top earners) | $124,470 | $59.84 |
*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 Tampa metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $79,250 ($38.10/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $79,250 to $102,180 ($38.10 to $49.13/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $102,180 ($49.13/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, Tampa metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.