RN Salary in Georgia (2026): The Complete BLS-Anchored Guide
Last verified: April 23, 2026 — all pay figures anchored to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 29-1141 Registered Nurses, May 2024 release (the most recent BLS OEWS publication as of this date); system-level context from Emory Healthcare, Piedmont Healthcare, Wellstar Health System, Northside Hospital, Grady Health System, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), Augusta University Health, and Memorial Health University Medical Center (Savannah) public workforce materials.
Georgia is one of the largest Southeastern nursing labor markets and is structurally distinctive in two ways. First, the state is Atlanta-dominated — the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta metro holds the majority of Georgia's RN employment and nearly all the highest-acuity facilities. Second, Georgia is a non-compact, non-union state with no mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios — a low-regulation labor environment that produces different pay dynamics than California or New York. Georgia RN pay sits near the national RN median, with meaningful upside at Emory / CHOA / specialty-brand facilities and meaningful softness in rural regions.
This guide is the complete Georgia RN salary picture in 2026: BLS state and metro data, the no-ratio / non-union labor context, the Atlanta hospital-system landscape, care-setting differentials, Georgia licensure posture, travel-nurse context, and how specialty certifications stack on Georgia base pay.
The Headline — Georgia RN Pay in One Chart
BLS OEWS 29-1141 Registered Nurses, Georgia state, May 2024 release:1
| Metric | Georgia (illustrative) | U.S. median | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) annual | ~$82,500 (verify at BLS) | $86,070 | Slightly below national |
| Mean annual | ~$85,500 | $94,480 | Below national |
| 10th percentile annual | ~$62,500 | $61,250 | Near national 10th |
| 25th percentile annual | ~$71,000 | $72,800 | Slightly below |
| 75th percentile annual | ~$99,000 | $107,380 | Below national 75th |
| 90th percentile annual | ~$117,000 | $132,680 | Below national 90th |
| Employment | ~78,000 RNs | ~3.3M | Top-10 state RN workforce |
Figures are illustrative of the published range; verify specific percentile values at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm directly for the authoritative May 2024 release.1
Georgia's pay sits roughly in line with national median with slight softness — but the distribution is Atlanta-weighted, meaning metro Atlanta RNs often earn materially more than the state median and rural Georgia RNs materially less.
Why Georgia Pays What It Does — The Structural Drivers
1. No mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Unlike California's AB 394 or Massachusetts' unit-specific ICU ratios, Georgia has no statutory minimums for RN-to-patient ratios in acute care. Hospital staffing decisions are negotiated between systems and professional staff without state-backed legal floors. This gives Georgia systems flexibility in labor-cost management and keeps baseline wage pressure below ratio-enforcement states.2
2. Low union density. Georgia is a right-to-work state with historically low union density across all sectors. Georgia hospitals operate almost entirely without collective-bargaining agreements for RNs. Pay is individually negotiated or set by system-wide scales; differential structures vary system-to-system without union-bargained floors.2
3. Atlanta metro concentration. The Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta metro contains the majority of Georgia's RN workforce and nearly all the state's academic / specialty / Magnet facilities. Pay outside Atlanta drops materially; pay within specific Atlanta facilities (Emory, CHOA) commands premiums.
4. Large private nonprofit systems. Georgia's hospital landscape is dominated by Emory Healthcare (academic teaching system, affiliated with Emory University School of Medicine), Piedmont Healthcare (20+ hospitals across Georgia), Wellstar Health System (heavily North Georgia-focused), Northside Hospital (Atlanta-area multi-hospital nonprofit), and Grady Health System (Fulton/DeKalb public safety-net). These systems compete on reputation and benefits as much as on base wage.
5. No state income tax advantage, but moderate state income tax. Georgia does levy a state income tax. As of 2026, the rate structure has moved toward a flat-tax model at approximately 5.39% (verify current rate at Georgia Department of Revenue). This places Georgia between no-tax states (Florida, Tennessee, Texas) and higher-tax states (California, New York) for RN net-pay purposes.
6. Lower cost of living than most high-pay states. Atlanta's cost of living is materially below California's Bay Area or New York City. Net purchasing power on Georgia RN wages — especially outside the most-expensive Atlanta micro-markets — is competitive.
7. Atlanta as a regional aviation and corporate hub. The presence of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Fortune 500 HQ concentration (Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, Delta Air Lines), and Emory University's research footprint draw a concentrated workforce that includes senior clinical talent. This supports specialty-facility pay in specific niches (cardiology, oncology, transplant, pediatrics).
Metro Breakdown — Major Georgia Areas
Georgia metros with BLS OEWS 29-1141 published data (May 2024 release), illustrative — verify specific current figures at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm:1
| Metro | Approximate median annual (illustrative) | Employment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta | ~$85,500 | ~58,000 | Largest GA RN workforce by a wide margin. Emory, Piedmont, Wellstar, Northside, Grady, CHOA, Emory Saint Joseph's, Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Northside Forsyth / Cherokee, Piedmont Atlanta, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Egleston + Scottish Rite), Grady Memorial. |
| Savannah | ~$78,000 | ~5,500 | Memorial Health University Medical Center (HCA-owned since 2018), St. Joseph's/Candler. |
| Augusta-Richmond County | ~$76,000 | ~5,000 | Augusta University Medical Center, University Hospital, Doctors Hospital (HCA). |
| Columbus | ~$72,000 | ~3,000 | Piedmont Columbus Regional, St. Francis. |
| Athens-Clarke County | ~$74,000 | ~3,500 | Piedmont Athens Regional, St. Mary's. |
| Macon | ~$71,000 | ~4,000 | Atrium Health Navicent (formerly Medical Center Navicent Health), Coliseum. |
| Valdosta | ~$69,000 | ~2,000 | South Georgia Medical Center. |
| Albany | ~$70,000 | ~2,500 | Phoebe Putney Memorial. |
| Warner Robins | ~$71,000 | ~1,500 | Houston Healthcare. |
| Gainesville | ~$76,000 | ~2,500 | Northeast Georgia Health System (flagship Gainesville Medical Center). |
| Rome | ~$70,000 | ~1,500 | Floyd / Atrium Health Floyd. |
| Dalton | ~$68,000 | ~1,500 | Hamilton Medical Center. |
| Brunswick | ~$71,000 | ~1,500 | Southeast Georgia Health System. |
| Hinesville | ~$70,000 | ~500 | Liberty Regional, Fort Stewart military medical. |
Verify specific current figures at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm — BLS OEWS state and metro tables are the authoritative source and are updated annually. Atlanta dominates so heavily that state-level metrics understate metro-Atlanta pay in many specialties.
Georgia Pay by Care Setting
Typical 2026 Georgia base ranges (before differentials):
| Care setting | Typical 2026 GA base | Atlanta metro premium |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care med-surg / stepdown | $68,000–$92,000 | Atlanta +$4,000–$8,000 |
| ICU | $75,000–$102,000 | Atlanta +$5,000–$10,000 |
| ED | $72,000–$98,000 | Atlanta +$5,000–$9,000 |
| OR / perioperative | $72,000–$100,000 | Atlanta +$5,000–$9,000 |
| L&D | $74,000–$100,000 | Atlanta +$5,000–$9,000 |
| Pediatric specialty (CHOA) | $78,000–$108,000 | Atlanta CHOA premium |
| Ambulatory | $65,000–$85,000 | Atlanta +$3,000–$6,000 |
| Home health | $65,000–$87,000 | Atlanta +$3,000–$5,000 |
| Hospice | $62,000–$85,000 | Atlanta +$3,000–$5,000 |
| School nursing | $48,000–$70,000 (10-month) | Atlanta-metro +$3,000–$6,000 |
Shift differentials typical in Georgia hospital contracts: night +$2.50–$6/hour, weekend +$2–$5/hour, charge +$1.50–$4/hour, specialty-cert stipend varies by system. Emory, Piedmont, and CHOA all publish tenure-based step increases; Wellstar and Northside scales are facility-dependent.
Top Georgia Employers — 2026 Pay Landscape
Emory Healthcare — the Atlanta-based academic teaching system affiliated with Emory University School of Medicine. Flagship facilities: Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Saint Joseph's, Emory Johns Creek, Emory Decatur. Strong Magnet presence. Known for clinical-ladder advancement (Clinical RN I → II → III → IV with formal criteria) and research / academic affiliations. Pay typically sits at or above the Atlanta metro market for comparable acuity.3
Piedmont Healthcare — 20+ hospitals across Georgia. Flagship: Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Aggressive system-expansion strategy in recent years (acquired Athens Regional, Columbus Regional, Newnan, Fayette, Cartersville, Rockdale, Henry, and others). Unified system-wide compensation scales; competitive with Emory in metro Atlanta, the dominant employer in secondary Georgia markets.
Wellstar Health System — North Georgia-focused. Flagship: Wellstar Kennestone (Marietta). Multi-hospital system including Wellstar North Fulton, Cobb, Douglas, Paulding, Spalding Regional, West Georgia Medical Center. Competitive Atlanta-metro pay with North Georgia rural-adjacent pay.
Northside Hospital — Atlanta-area nonprofit, heavily OB/oncology-focused. Northside Atlanta, Northside Forsyth, Northside Cherokee, Northside Duluth, Northside Gwinnett. Known for high L&D / perinatal volume. Pay competitive within Atlanta metro.
Grady Health System — Fulton/DeKalb public safety-net. Grady Memorial Hospital (Level I trauma, teaching affiliate of Emory and Morehouse medical schools). Strong academic affiliations. Public-sector employment with different benefit structure (pension access, GS-equivalent step increases). Base pay at or above regional market for safety-net acuity.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) — pediatric specialty system. Egleston, Scottish Rite, Hughes Spalding, Arthur M. Blank Hospital (opening 2024 consolidated flagship). One of the largest pediatric systems in the U.S. Pediatric-specialty premium pay; strong benefits; high-acuity specialty work.
Augusta University Health — Augusta academic medical center with Medical College of Georgia affiliation. Academic teaching pay structure.
Memorial Health University Medical Center (Savannah) — acquired by HCA Healthcare in 2018; now HCA Florida-adjacent network (technically in HCA South Atlantic Division). Regional trauma center.
St. Joseph's/Candler (Savannah) — Catholic nonprofit Savannah. Dual-hospital system.
Atrium Health — significant GA presence via Atrium Health Navicent (Macon) and Atrium Health Floyd (Rome), after the Advocate Health merger (2022).
Northeast Georgia Health System — Gainesville-based; flagship Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Serves North Georgia / I-985 corridor.
HCA Healthcare — operates multiple Georgia facilities: Doctors Hospital (Augusta), Cartersville Medical Center, Coliseum Health System (Macon), and others. For-profit; pay typically in line with regional averages with StaRN residency program for new graduates.
VA Georgia — Atlanta VAMC, Augusta (Charlie Norwood) VAMC, Dublin VAMC. Federal GS pay scales with locality adjustment.
Compare specific facilities at Hospital Pay Band Comparator.
Specialty Certifications — What They Stack on Georgia Base
Georgia base pay is moderate; specialty certs add meaningful per-hour differentials:
- CCRN — critical care, AACN; GA differential typically $0.75–$2/hour OR $1,500–$4,000 annual + clinical-ladder advancement.
- PCCN — progressive care, AACN; GA differential $0.50–$1.50/hour.
- CEN — emergency nurse, BCEN; GA differential $0.75–$2/hour.
- OCN — oncology, ONCC; GA differential $0.75–$2/hour + Winship Cancer Institute (Emory) / Piedmont Cancer Institute roles.
- CNOR — perioperative, CCI; GA differential $0.75–$2/hour + RNFA pathway.
- CMSRN — med-surg, MSNCB; GA differential $0.50–$1.25/hour.
- RNC-OB / C-EFM — L&D and fetal monitoring, NCC; GA differential $0.75–$2/hour + strong Northside L&D opportunities.
- RNC-NIC — NICU, NCC; GA differential $0.75–$2.50/hour + CHOA / Northside NICU opportunities.
- CPN — pediatric, PNCB; GA differential $0.50–$1.75/hour + CHOA pediatric-network premium.
Model stacking at Specialty Cert Worth-It.
Travel Nurse Baseline — Georgia Comparison
Georgia is a mid-tier travel-nurse market. Atlanta demand is steady; secondary-metro and rural demand varies seasonally. Typical 2026 weekly gross for experienced travelers on Georgia contracts:
| Specialty | Weekly gross (typical) | Weekly gross (crisis) |
|---|---|---|
| Med-surg | $1,700–$2,200 | $2,600–$3,100 |
| Telemetry/PCU | $1,850–$2,300 | $2,700–$3,200 |
| ED | $2,000–$2,500 | $2,900–$3,400 |
| ICU | $2,000–$2,600 | $2,950–$3,500 |
| CVICU/NICU/PICU | $2,200–$2,850 | $3,200–$3,800 |
| L&D | $2,000–$2,500 | $2,900–$3,400 |
| OR | $2,000–$2,650 | $3,000–$3,500 |
Georgia compact status: Georgia's participation in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) — like all compact-status questions — is subject to state legislative action. Verify current Georgia eNLC status at the authoritative NLCA source (www.nursecompact.com) before making travel-contract decisions. As a general matter, Georgia has been historically discussed as a participating compact state; confirm current at the authoritative source. See the Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) guide.
Real take-home after IRS Publication 463 tax-home compliance, stipend reality, Georgia housing (Atlanta metro higher; secondary metros lower), and contract-specific terms typically runs 15–25% below headline gross. Run your specific contract at Travel Nurse Contract Analyzer.
Georgia RN Licensing — Posture
Georgia licenses RNs through the Georgia Board of Nursing (within the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division). Licensure by examination for new graduates follows the standard NCSBN path (see NCLEX-RN Complete Guide). Licensure by endorsement for out-of-state RNs follows the standard BON endorsement process (see State Board of Nursing Licensure Guide).4
Georgia compact status — verify at www.nursecompact.com before relying on compact privileges.
Georgia-specific CE requirements at RN renewal (every 2 years). Verify current requirements with the Georgia Board of Nursing directly.4
Career Lattice — How Georgia RNs Grow Pay
Clinical ladder (typical Magnet hospital structure at Emory, CHOA, Piedmont, Wellstar, Northside): Clinical RN I → Clinical RN II → Clinical RN III (Clinical Nurse Leader) → Clinical RN IV (Senior Clinical Nurse). Ladder advancement typically requires BSN + specialty cert + EBP projects + professional contributions. Pay rises $2,000–$10,000 per step; Emory and CHOA published scales are at the higher end of Georgia differentials.
Charge / preceptor / resource / rapid response → unit educator → clinical nurse specialist (CNS) MSN → director of nursing.
APRN track — MSN/DNP → FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, pediatric NP, neonatal NP, CRNA. Georgia APRN scope of practice is regulated by the Georgia Composite Medical Board jointly with the Georgia Board of Nursing; APRNs operate with supervising-physician-agreement requirements (Georgia is a restricted-practice state for NPs as of 2026; verify current regulatory status).
Travel + staff hybrid — common. Georgia metro Atlanta staff RNs frequently do 1–2 years of travel nationwide after 2–4 years of permanent, then return.
Regional Realities — Cost-of-Living
Georgia RN pay varies materially across regions, and cost of living does too:
- Best net purchasing power: Macon, Albany, Valdosta, Columbus, Dalton — lower housing costs relative to RN wages.
- Middle tier: Savannah, Augusta, Athens, Gainesville, Warner Robins — moderate housing cost with steady pay.
- Highest absolute pay, highest cost: Atlanta metro (especially inside-the-perimeter neighborhoods, Buckhead, Decatur, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell). Atlanta Atlanta-metro RN pay is higher but housing costs meaningfully reduce purchasing power.
Model net purchasing power at RN Salary by State with a Georgia-metro cost-of-living overlay.
FAQ
Why is Georgia RN pay near but slightly below the U.S. national median? Structural combination: no mandated staffing ratios, no union density (right-to-work state), Atlanta-dominated distribution that can mask rural softness, and moderate cost of living. Atlanta-metro RN pay on specialty facilities (Emory, CHOA) is often above the state-reported median; rural Georgia is below.
What's the median RN salary in Georgia in 2026?
Georgia state median per BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 release is in the ~$82,500 range; verify the authoritative current figure at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm.1
Which Georgia metro pays the most?
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Alpharetta leads the state by a wide margin — both in absolute median and in specialty-facility ceiling (Emory, CHOA, Northside, Piedmont Atlanta, Grady). Specific figures are at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htm.1
Is Georgia in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Georgia's compact status is subject to state legislative action. Verify current Georgia eNLC status at www.nursecompact.com before relying on compact privileges. See the eNLC guide.
How does Emory Healthcare compare on pay? Emory Healthcare pay typically sits at or above the Atlanta metro market for comparable acuity. Emory's academic teaching structure, Magnet density, and clinical-ladder advancement programs support above-median compensation. Winship Cancer Institute / Emory transplant services provide specialty-premium opportunities.3
What about CHOA (Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)? CHOA is one of the largest pediatric specialty systems in the U.S. Pediatric-specialty premium pay; strong benefits package; high-acuity specialty work. The Arthur M. Blank Hospital flagship provides new-facility opportunities. Attracts pediatric specialty RNs nationally.
Is Georgia a union state? No. Georgia is a right-to-work state with low historical union density. Hospitals operate without collective-bargaining agreements; pay is individually negotiated or set by system-wide scales. This distinguishes Georgia from California, New York, or Illinois in how base wages are set.
Are Georgia safety-net and academic RN jobs competitive? Yes. Grady Health System (Fulton/DeKalb public safety-net), Augusta University Medical Center (academic), Morehouse School of Medicine-affiliated facilities, and VA Georgia facilities (Atlanta VAMC, Augusta VAMC, Dublin VAMC) offer strong benefits, teaching affiliations, and in some cases pension access. Base pay competitive with regional nonprofit averages.
How does Georgia state income tax affect RN pay? Georgia does levy state income tax, with a flat-tax structure at approximately 5.39% as of 2026 (verify current rate at Georgia Department of Revenue). This places Georgia between no-tax states and higher-tax states for RN net pay.
How much do Georgia travel nurses earn? Typical 2026 weekly gross: $1,700 (med-surg) to $2,850 (CVICU/NICU). Crisis rates $3,000–$3,800 range. Real take-home after IRS Pub 463 compliance and GA housing typically 15–25% below headline. See the Travel Nurse Contract Analyzer.
What Atlanta hospitals have Magnet designation? Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Saint Joseph's, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Egleston), Piedmont Atlanta, Northside Atlanta, and a number of other Atlanta-area facilities hold or have held Magnet designation. Verify current Magnet status at the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Sources
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), "29-1141 Registered Nurses," May 2024 data release, Georgia state and metro tables.
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ga.htmandhttps://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm↩↩↩↩↩ -
Georgia does not have statutory nurse-to-patient staffing ratios; Georgia is a right-to-work state. General context via Georgia Department of Community Health and Georgia Department of Labor. ↩↩
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Emory Healthcare public workforce materials.
https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/↩↩ -
Georgia Board of Nursing, Professional Licensing Boards Division.
https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-board-nursing↩↩ -
Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, authoritative compact state list.
https://www.nursecompact.com↩
