What is the average RN salary in Tampa?

The average RN salary in Tampa is $76,000. This figure is $17,600 lower than the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600 and represents an 18.8% gap versus the national median. Tampa-specific data shows a purchasing-power adjusted salary of $77,157 reflecting local cost conditions.

How many hospitals are in Tampa?

There are 11 hospitals in Tampa. Top hospitals serving the city include major acute-care centers such as Tampa General Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital; these two facilities are among the largest regional providers and anchor inpatient and specialty services.

What is the cost of living in Tampa?

Tampa's cost of living index is 98.5, slightly below the U.S. average of 100. Housing costs tend to be a primary driver of that index; local rental and home-price pressure is moderate compared with national averages, and Tampa's adjusted salary of $77,157 reflects that 98.5 COL index.

Is Tampa a good place for nurses?

Yes — Tampa can be a good fit for many nurses who prioritize lower cost-of-living and coastal climate. The city has 11 hospitals, an RN average salary of $76,000, and about 246 sunny days per year, offering work-life balance factors like favorable weather alongside varied hospital settings.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Tampa?

The adjusted salary in Tampa is $77,157, which reflects the $76,000 RN average adjusted by the 98.5 cost-of-living index. Compared with the U.S. RN median of $93,600, Tampa nurses have lower nominal pay but slightly improved local purchasing power due to the sub-100 COL index.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Tampa?

Yes — Florida participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so multistate license holders have practice privileges in Tampa. Holding an NLC multistate license lets nurses live in another compact state and practice in Tampa without obtaining a separate Florida single-state license, subject to compact rules.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in Tampa?

ICU and med-surg specialties are in steady demand in Tampa due to the city's acute-care hospital presence; Emergency Department nurses are also needed at larger trauma and regional centers. Labor & Delivery positions are supported by hospitals offering obstetric services, and behavioral health roles exist where psychiatric units are present.

Nursing in Tampa, FL

Practical guide to nursing in Tampa, FL — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.