How does a Registered Nurse's salary in Erie compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?

Erie's cost of living index is 84 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $72,299 earns $20,899 more than the median household income in Erie ($51,400).

Registered Nurse Salary in Erie, PA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Erie's cost of living (index: 84). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Registered Nurse Salary in Erie — Key Numbers

$72,299

Median Salary

$57,868

25th Percentile

$90,460

75th Percentile

$111,451

90th Percentile

National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070

vs. National median-16.0%

Erie median household income$51,400

vs. City household income+40.7%

Cost of Living in Erie

Cost of Living Index

84(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$850/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio14.1%

Annual rent cost$10,200

Median Home Price$160,000

Home Price / Salary2.2×

20% Down Payment$32,000

Years to save (20% rate)2.2 yrs

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 Erie

5.0%

Unemployment Rate

270,000

Metro Population

21 min

Avg Commute

38.6

Median Age

Erie has a metro population of 270,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 5.0% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Erie

💰

Take-Home Pay Calculator

See your net pay on $72,299/yr

⏱️

Salary to Hourly

Convert $72,299/yr to hourly rate

🏙️

Cost of Living — Erie

Compare Erie to other cities

🏠

Rent vs. Buy in Erie

Is buying worth it on your salary?

📊

Budget Planner

Plan your budget in Erie

🗺️

Registered Nurse Salary in Pennsylvania

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Erie

Physician$192,612 Chief Executive Officer$176,400 Dentist$147,428 IT Manager$142,388 Marketing Manager$132,401 Lawyer$122,438

Registered Nurse Salary — Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA$86,931 Pittsburgh, PA$78,324 Allentown, PA$84,349 Harrisburg, PA$78,324 Scranton, PA$73,160

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Erie, PA?

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Erie is $72,299 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Erie's cost of living index (84). The typical salary range runs from $57,868 (25th percentile) to $90,460 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $111,451.

Is Erie affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $72,299 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Erie would spend approximately 14.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($850/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Erie relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $160,000 is 2.2× the annual salary.

How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Erie's overall income?

Erie's median household income is $51,400. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $72,299 earns 40.7% more than the typical Erie household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Registered Nurse — National Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania All Salary Guides

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.