Registered nurse salary in Ohio

The median registered nurse in Ohio earned $82,510 a year in 2025, $15,040 (15%) below the $97,550 national median. That ranks 38th of 51 states.

Median yearly pay
$82,510
Average yearly pay
$87,730
Employed in Ohio
143,730

How Ohio compares

  • California highest state$140,270
  • United States national median$97,550
  • Middle state median of state medians$93,600
  • Ohio 38th of 51$82,510
  • Alabama lowest state$77,080

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates. Pay is before tax and does not adjust for cost of living, which is higher in some states than others.

Nursing pay in Ohio

Median pay by nursing role in Ohio
RoleMedian yearly payEmployed
Registered nurse$82,510143,730
LPN or LVN$61,95039,900
Nurse practitioner$124,87015,400

A nurse practitioner in Ohio earns a median $42,360 more than a registered nurse ($124,870 against $82,510). A registered nurse earns a median $20,560 more than an LPN or LVN here ($82,510 against $61,950).

Next steps

Common questions

How much does a registered nurse make in Ohio?

The median is $82,510 a year, according to BLS data for May 2025. Half of registered nurses in Ohio earn more and half earn less.

Is Ohio a high-paying state for registered nurses?

Ohio ranks 38th of 51 states on median pay for this job. The national median is $97,550, so Ohio pays 15% below it. The highest median is $140,270 in California.

How many registered nurses work in Ohio?

BLS counted 143,730 registered nurses employed in Ohio in May 2025.

Why is the average different from the median?

The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn less. The average adds every wage and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. In Ohio the average is $87,730, $5,220 above the median.

What do you need to work as a registered nurse in Ohio?

Ohio requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and a passing NCLEX-RN score, with a license from the Ohio Board of Nursing.