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Registered Nurse Salary in Florida + Job Outlook – 2023

In Florida, registered nurses (RNs) can earn a wide range of annual salaries based on factors such as education, experience, and reputation for providing quality care. The average registered nurse salary in Florida is $72,000, and while this is slightly lower than the national average, RNs here enjoy excellent job security. Some 17,444 positions for new and replacement RNs will open in 2026, and most of these positions will be in hospitals in cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. In order to work as an RN in the state of Florida, you will need a nursing degree such as an ADN or a BSN from a school approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, and you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain your licensure.


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What is The Average Salary of a Registered Nurse in Florida?

Registered nurses across the state earn an average of $72,000 each year. Your salary as an RN will vary based on different factors such as the city in which you work, your employer, and your experience.

How Much Will I Earn as an RN in Florida?

The exact amount you will earn as an RN in Florida will range from under $49,680 to more than $95,630. Several factors will influence the amount you earn, as well. Things like the city you work in, the type of facility, and your experience weigh most heavily on your salary. An entry-level RN working in a hospital will earn substantially less than an RN with 10 years of experience working in an outpatient care center, for example.

BSN Degree Holders or ADN Degree Holders: Who Earns More?

Yet another factor that can significantly influence your annual salary as an RN in Florida is your education. An ADN provides you with the education necessary for an entry-level position but takes roughly two years to complete. On the other hand, a BSN program takes twice as long to finish because it provides a more complex education. As a result, RNs with BSN degrees in FL earn an average of $6,140 more than their counterparts with only ADN degrees.

Florida RN Salary Comparison

Florida VS National

On an average, registered nurse salary in the state of Florida is 13% lower than the average RN salary nationally.

RN Salary Compared with Other Nursing Careers in FL

When compared to other nursing careers in the state, RNs earn a moderate salary. They earn more than nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses, but they earn less than nursing instructors, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists, which are more specialized careers that require more education. It is worth noting, however, that RNs in Florida earn an average salary that is much higher than similar non-nursing healthcare occupations.

RN Salary Compared to Similar Healthcare Occupations in FL

Salary Growth Trend (2017-2021)

Salaries for RNs across FL grew each year between 2017 and 2021 with the largest growth of 3.58% in 2021. Over the course of five years, RN salaries increased by 11.40%. Florida’s higher population of retirees and the elderly drives demand for highly-skilled medical professionals, and in turn, this boosts salaries over time.

Salary Growth Projection (2022-2026)

Between the years of 2022 and 2026, RN salaries in Florida are expected to increase by a total of 12.89%. RNs here will earn an average annual salary of $81,280, representing a change of $9,280 between these years. Changes in the cost of living, a growing population of retirees and the elderly, more widespread access to health insurance, and the demand for RNs with advanced knowledge will all play a role in fueling the increase. What’s more, studies conducted by the Florida Center for Nursing suggest that the demand for RNs overall is high, particularly in hospitals. In 2015, there were 12,493 vacant RN positions statewide, and employers increased salaries in order to attract skilled and qualified nurses.

Registered Nurse Salary in Major Cities of Florida

Your city of employment can have a tremendous impact on your salary. For the most part, facilities in heavily-populated areas tend to pay more than those in less populated or more rural areas.

Jacksonville

RNs working in the Jacksonville area will earn between $48,930 to $94,800 each year, or an average of $70,450. Jacksonville is moderately populated compared to other cities, so the average annual salary here is a little less than the average across the state. Some of the biggest employers of RNs in Jacksonville include Memorial Hospital, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, and the University of Florida Health Center.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$61,680	-$1,300	-2.06%
2018	$62,660	$980	1.59%
2019	$66,100	$3,440	5.49%
2020	$67,590	$1,490	2.25%
2021	$70,450	$2,860	4.23%

Miami

RNs working in Miami earn the highest salaries in the state; here, you will earn between $49,490 and $98,780, or an annual average of $74,220. The University of Miami Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital, and Baptist Hospital are some of the biggest employers of RNs. Miami is also home to some of the country's most renowned cosmetic surgeons, and the demand for highly skilled nurses to fill these positions also drives salaries upward.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$67,340	-$650	-0.96%
2018	$69,500	$2,160	3.21%
2019	$69,920	$420	0.60%
2020	$72,300	$2,380	3.40%
2021	$74,220	$1,920	2.66%

Tampa

Tampa is another excellent city for RNs. Here, you can earn anywhere from $59,640 to $97,180, or an average of $73,380 each year, depending on your employer and experience. The biggest employers of RNs in Tampa are hospitals such as Tampa General Hospital, Memorial Hospital of Tampa, and St. Joseph's Hospital, among others. Tampa is one of the country's most popular retirement and tourism cities, and as the population increases, so does the demand for RNs. To fill open positions with skilled healthcare providers, employers pay well above the statewide average salary.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$67,000	$740	1.12%
2018	$68,010	$1,010	1.51%
2019	$69,440	$1,430	2.10%
2020	$71,300	$1,860	2.68%
2021	$73,380	$2,080	2.92%

Orlando

Orlando is one of the US's most popular tourist destinations, and it is also a favorite among retirees looking to escape cold winters in the north. As a result, Orlando's population is growing, as is the demand for skilled healthcare professionals like RNs. If you choose to work as an RN in Orlando, you will earn between $58,970 and $95,760 each year, or an average of $72,770, which is slightly less than the Florida average. Some of the biggest employers here include Florida Hospital Orlando, Nemours Children's Hospital, and the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$63,270	$290	0.46%
2018	$64,950	$1,680	2.66%
2019	$64,990	$40	0.06%
2020	$67,330	$2,340	3.60%
2021	$72,770	$5,440	8.08%

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a moderately-sized city in Florida, but because the population continues to climb, the demand for skilled nurses is also on the rise. Here, you can earn anywhere from $59,640 - $97,180 each year or an average of $73,380, which is slightly higher than the state average. Some of the biggest employers of RNs in St. Petersburg include St. Anthony's Hospital, All Children's Hospital, And Northside Hospital.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$67,000	$740	1.12%
2018	$68,010	$1,010	1.51%
2019	$69,440	$1,430	2.10%
2020	$71,300	$1,860	2.68%
2021	$73,380	$2,080	2.92%

Tallahassee

Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, is a relatively small city when compared to the likes of Miami or Orlando, but it is home to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital, which are some of the best in the state. RNs working in Tallahassee earn between $47,350 to $79,360 each year or an average of $67,360, which is slightly below the state average.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$62,270	$2,120	3.52%
2018	$62,510	$240	0.39%
2019	$63,010	$500	0.80%
2020	$66,120	$3,110	4.94%
2021	$67,360	$1,240	1.88%

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie is much smaller than other cities across Florida, but due to its location, it is very popular among tourists who want to avoid crowds. As a result, skilled RNs are always in high demand here. On average, registered nurses in Port St. Lucie earn between $47,850 and $94,690 annually, or an average of $69,010, which is well below the state average. This is due in part to the lack of large medical centers; in fact, the only major hospital here is Port St. Lucie Hospital. It is relatively small but is still the biggest employer of RNs in the area.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$56,850	$660	1.17%
2018	$61,320	$4,470	7.86%
2019	$68,070	$6,750	11.01%
2020	$69,320	$1,250	1.84%
2021	$69,010	-$310	-0.45%

Cape Coral

Cape Coral is a moderately-sized Florida city located on the Western side of the peninsula. It is a popular tourist destination as it is near Fort Myers and surrounded by sandy beaches. RNs working here earn $59,640 to $80,620 each year, or an average of $73,420, which is slightly higher than the state average. The biggest employers of RNs in Cape Coral are hospitals, and these include Cape Coral Hospital and nearby Lee Memorial Hospital.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$66,170	-$1,200	-1.78%
2018	$67,110	$940	1.42%
2019	$69,830	$2,720	4.05%
2020	$70,850	$1,020	1.46%
2021	$73,420	$2,570	3.63%

Fort Lauderdale

If you choose to work as an RN in Fort Lauderdale, dubbed the "Venice of America," you will earn anywhere from $49,490 to $98,780 each year, or an average of $74,220 annually. Fort Lauderdale is one of the most popular cities for retirees, and it is also popular among tourists. The biggest employers of RNs in this area are hospitals like the famed Broward Health Medical Center, the nearby Plantation General Hospital, and Holy Cross Hospital. Occupational health nurses are in particularly high demand here, and they are paid the highest salaries in the city.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$67,340	-$650	-0.96%
2018	$69,500	$2,160	3.21%
2019	$69,920	$420	0.60%
2020	$72,300	$2,380	3.40%
2021	$74,220	$1,920	2.66%

Gainesville

Gainesville, Florida is situated in the north central part of the Florida peninsula and is far less populated than other metro areas. RNs in this city earn between $59,340 to $94,690, or an average of $73,980 annually. It is home to the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, the North Florida VA Hospital, and the North Florida Regional Medical Center, which are some of the biggest employers of RNs in the vicinity.

Year	Annual Salary	Growth	% Growth
2017	$67,430	$1,190	1.80%
2018	$68,570	$1,140	1.69%
2019	$70,940	$2,370	3.46%
2020	$73,430	$2,490	3.51%
2021	$73,980	$550	0.75%

RN Employment & Pay in Different Healthcare Facilities of FL

One of the biggest factors in determining job security and salary is the type of facility in which you work. Hospitals employ 108,050 RNs throughout Florida – more than any other facility type – and they pay an average annual salary of $73,980, which is well above the state average. Outpatient care centers hire the fewest number of RNs with just 9,100 positions, but the salary is comparable to that in hospital settings at an average of $80,980 annually.

Employment Trend (2017-2021)

Between the years of 2017 and 2021, the number of RNs employed throughout Florida actually decreased by 2.07%. However, starting in 2019, the number of registered nurses increased each year until 2021. The largest increase in employment occurred between 2020 and 2021 with a growth of 2.62%, representing the addition of 4,790 positions.

Florida RN Job Outlook (2022-2026)

The outlook for RNs across the state of Florida is especially positive between the years of 2012 and 2026. Data estimates suggest that the number of positions will climb 10.44% in this time, representing some 19,610 additional positions. Demand for RNs across the state is driven primarily by growing populations, particularly in retirement communities, and by aging populations. The state’s best hospitals, including places like the Mayo Clinic, will continue to grow and thrive, driving demand for skilled professionals over time.

Projected Annual RN Job Openings (New + Replacement) in Florida

As RNs retire or change careers, and as the demand for skilled nurses continues to climb, more nurses will be required to fill new and replacement positions. In fact, job openings will climb steadily each year between 2022 and 2026. Data suggests a total of 77148 new and replacement jobs will become available during this time.

Areas in FL with Highest Registered Nurse Employment

Like most locations across the country, the most heavily-populated cities in Florida employ the most RNs overall. Because Florida is popular among relocating retirees and tourists alike, there are well over 250 hospitals statewide and thousands of clinics, trauma centers, specialists, and more. The Miami metro area, including Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, employs 53,110 more RNs than any other city thanks to its growing population. Tampa comes in second with 30,940 RNs employed across the city, and Orlando takes third place with 21,530 employed RNs. Hospitals in these cities have the largest demand for skilled nurses, particularly in emergency and trauma settings.