Florida Registered Nurse (RN) Salary
Explore the complete guide to RN compensation. Review mean pay, percentiles, local hospital job demand, and specific Board of Nursing (BON) requirements.
State Mean
$84,190
Annual Salary
State Hourly
$43.58
Per hour
COL Adjusted Pay
$81,897
True Purchasing Power
vs National
-10%
Below US Mean
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, supplemented by real-time job posting salary data for current market comparison.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
on March 2026
for accuracy.
Salary Range & Percentiles
Salaries for Registered Nurses in Florida range from $67,970 (entry-level) to $120,330 (highly experienced) annually.
RN Salary by Metro Area in Florida
Registered Nurse salaries vary significantly across metro areas in Florida. Click any column header to sort, matching the Specialty rankings table behavior.
| Metro Area | Annual | Hourly | vs State Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island | $93,330 | $46.51 | +10.9% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $91,380 | $45.67 | +8.5% |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $86,130 | $41.85 | +2.3% |
| Sebring | $85,690 | $42.10 | +1.8% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $85,470 | $44.56 | +1.5% |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $84,180 | $42.89 | +0.0% |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $84,030 | $40.23 | -0.2% |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $83,550 | $42.87 | -0.8% |
| Jacksonville | $83,520 | $42.94 | -0.8% |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $82,860 | $44.15 | -1.6% |
| Port St. Lucie | $82,090 | $43.49 | -2.5% |
| Gainesville | $81,870 | $42.32 | -2.8% |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island | $81,850 | $42.81 | -2.8% |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $81,300 | $42.15 | -3.4% |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $81,260 | $40.37 | -3.5% |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $80,900 | $41.97 | -3.9% |
| Punta Gorda | $80,410 | $40.31 | -4.5% |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | $80,170 | $39.59 | -4.8% |
| Tallahassee | $79,430 | $38.73 | -5.7% |
| Ocala | $79,230 | $38.82 | -5.9% |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach | $78,560 | $39.38 | -6.7% |
| The Villages | $78,400 | $41.13 | -6.9% |
| Homosassa Springs | $78,080 | $40.31 | -7.3% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $77,890 | $39.56 | -7.5% |
| Wildwood-The Villages | $77,110 | $39.81 | -8.4% |
| Panama City | $76,340 | $38.19 | -9.3% |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $75,310 | $38.06 | -10.5% |
Job Market Salary Data
Compare official BLS survey data with actual salary ranges from recent job postings. Based on 27 job postings in Florida over the past 12 months.
Current Job Openings in Florida
18 Registered Nurse positions currently available in Florida.
Top Hospitals Hiring RNs in Florida
Florida is home to leading healthcare facilities. Based on CMS quality ratings, the highest-rated hospitals where RNs are in demand include:
View all open RN jobs in FloridaFlorida BON & Education Requirements
To practice as a Registered Nurse and earn the salaries listed above, the Florida Board of Nursing requires strict licensure and certification steps.
-
1
Active RN License: You must hold an active, unencumbered RN license in the state of Florida.
-
2
Graduate Education: Completion of an accredited MSN or DNP program with a specific Registered Nurse track. Top Programs: University of Florida and Florida State University
-
3
National Certification: Pass the relevant national certification exam provided by a recognized credentialing body (e.g., ANCC, AACN, NCC).
-
4
Advanced Practice Licensure: Apply for a Nurse Practitioner license or Furnishing Number through the state BON to prescribe medications. Apply for APN Licensure
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Florida?
As of 2025, the median Registered Nurse salary in Florida is $84,190 per year or $43.58 per hour. This is 10% below the national median.
What is the starting salary for a new grad RN in Florida?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Florida typically start around the 10th percentile, earning $67,970. With 5-10 years of experience, RNs can expect to reach the median salary of $84,190 or higher.
Is Florida a good state for RN salaries when considering the cost of living?
Florida has a cost of living index of 1.03. When adjusting the raw median salary of $84,190 for local expenses, the true purchasing power is approximately $81,897. Keep in mind that housing and living costs may offset the premium pay.
How much does an RN make an hour in Florida?
The median hourly wage for an RN in Florida is $43.58. Those in the top 90th percentile, often working in specialized or high-acuity roles, can make upwards of $57.85 per hour.
Which hospitals hire the most RNs in Florida?
Salaries and demand vary by facility, but large medical centers and specialty units generally offer the highest compensation. In Florida, top employers hiring RNs include Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital, Doctors Hospital.
What are the requirements to become an RN in Florida?
To practice as a Registered Nurse in Florida, you must hold an active RN license, graduate from an accredited program, pass the relevant national certification exam, and apply for advanced practice licensure through the Florida Board of Nursing.
Are there RN programs in Florida?
Yes, aspiring Registered Nurses can attend local programs such as University of Florida and Florida State University. Alternatively, many Florida nurses opt for accredited online programs that arrange clinical placements at local hospitals.
Is there a high demand for Registered Nurses in Florida?
Yes, the demand for Registered Nurses remains strong in Florida, particularly in metro areas supporting large healthcare systems. Job growth is projected to remain steady as facilities seek specialized providers to manage complex patient care.