In Cleveland, Ohio, there are over 29,000 registered nurses (RNs) making a positive difference in their community through patient care (1). These nurses work in a variety of settings, from large hospital systems to home healthcare services and much more.
If you are considering a future as a registered nurse in Cleveland, it’s wise to review the overall job outlook for the area. Market trends in a city can impact your experience as a nurse, from the hiring process to your ability to advance in the profession. In this piece, we’ll examine job growth, average salaries, and overall market trends for the nursing profession in the metropolitan area of Cleveland. Let’s dive in!
How Much Do Nurses Make in Cleveland on Average?
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual wage for registered nurses in the Cleveland metropolitan area was $76,650 as of May 2022 (2). The average hourly wage for registered nurses (RN) in the Cleveland area is $36.85 per hour.
It is important to note that registered nurse salaries can vary based on things like education, experience, specialization, certifications, and the type of healthcare setting. A new registered nurse just starting their career in Cleveland can expect to make less than the median salary.
It’s also crucial to consider additional compensation structures such as shift differentials and overtime pay, which can significantly impact nurses’ overall earnings. Nurses who work in the evenings, on the weekends, or national holidays are often eligible for shift differentials. This additional compensation is offered to staff to incentivize the coverage of shifts where necessary. Overtime is often utilized when registered nurses exceed their regular work hours. This gives those willing to work extra shifts or longer hours another potential source of extra income.
General Median Salaries for the Cleveland Area
To better understand nursing salaries in Cleveland, it’s helpful to compare them against earnings of the general population in the area. According to data from the BLS, the median annual wage for all other occupations in the Cleveland metropolitan area was $59,530 as of May 2022 (4).
Registered nurses, on average, earn higher salaries than the overall median for all occupations in the area. The additional $21,490 difference in median salary is something to consider when thinking about a nursing career in Cleveland.
Employment Opportunities and Future Projections for Nurses in Cleveland
Cleveland is home to a robust healthcare industry that includes world-class healthcare institutions serving 1.7 million residents in the city and surrounding suburbs. As of 2022, there are over 29,000 registered nurses in the Cleveland metropolitan area (1). Let’s dive into some statistics that highlight the employment prospects in this area.
Employment Per 1000 Jobs: According to BLS, for every 1000 jobs in the Cleveland metropolitan area, approximately 29 of those jobs are registered nurses (4). This employment metric is higher for registered nurses than any other single occupation in the Cleveland metro area indicating there’s substantial demand for registered nursing positions.
Nursing Job Growth in Ohio: Job growth for registered nurses in Ohio overall is projected to be 7% between 2020 to 2030, compared to 6% job growth for RN jobs nationally (3). This will translate into an estimated 7,990 additional RN jobs in the state, including in the Cleveland area.
It’s worth noting the BLS does not measure RN nursing job clinic growth at a city or county level, they only measure RN job growth at a state level.
Nursing Job Growth Vs. Overall Job Growth in the U.S.
Between 2022 to 2032, the BLS projects registered nursing jobs will grow 6% across the United States, adding 193,100 new positions. The average growth rate for all occupations in the U.S. for the same period is 3%. These projections indicate a very strong job market for registered nurses generally over the next decade.
Job Outlook for Other Nursing Roles in Cleveland & Ohio
While registered nurses play a critical role in healthcare delivery, they are not the sole nursing professionals contributing to patient care in Cleveland. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) also play a role in supporting patients and healthcare teams. Like RN positions, the future looks bright for LPNs and LVNs in Ohio.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Cleveland metropolitan area was $54,620 as of May 2022 (5).
LPNs and LVNs typically earn less on average than registered nurses nationwide. This is because RNs generally take on greater responsibilities in patient care than LPNs or LVNs.
In Cleveland, job opportunities for LPNs and LVNs are expected to grow at a rate of 4% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations (3%). This will create an estimated 3,310 new jobs in the Cleveland metro area.
While LPNs and LVNs play integral roles in the healthcare system, individuals considering a nursing career should be aware that becoming a registered nurse (RN) opens a larger number of career advancement opportunities than an LPN position.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Data Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm#st
- https://www.onetonline.org/link/localwages/29-1141.00?zip=44101
- https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-1141.00?st=OH
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_17460.htm#00-0000
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-5
- https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/29-2061.00?st=OH
Information in this post is accurate as of .
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized national accrediting agency.