RN Salary in Ohio: $82,510 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Ohio earn a median of $82,510 per year — $39.67 an hour — $15,040 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #38 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Ohio RNs earn between $66,980 and $105,290. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Ohio RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Ohio RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Ohio With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Ohio side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Ohio | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $82,510 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $39.67/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $66,980 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $99,030 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $105,290 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 143,730 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Ohio has 203 board-approved nursing programs across 202 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Ohio?
RNs in Ohio earn a median of $82,510 per year — $39.67 per hour — $15,040 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Ohio #38 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Ohio?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Ohio, the 10th percentile is $66,980 and the 25th percentile is $79,200. Most RNs move toward the $82,510 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Ohio earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Ohio earn above $105,290 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Ohio?
143,730 registered nurses are employed in Ohio per the BLS May 2025 estimates.