Registered Nurse Salary in Columbus, OH — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Columbus's cost of living (index: 90). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Columbus — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Columbus
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Columbus
Columbus has a metro population of 2,150,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Columbus
Other Professions in Columbus
Registered Nurse Salary — Other Ohio Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Columbus, OH?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Columbus is $77,463 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Columbus's cost of living index (90). The typical salary range runs from $62,001 (25th percentile) to $96,921 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $119,412.
Is Columbus affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $77,463 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Columbus would spend approximately 18.6% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,199/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Columbus relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $265,000 is 3.4× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Columbus's overall income?
Columbus's median household income is $64,600. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $77,463 earns 19.9% more than the typical Columbus household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.