How much is the psychiatric nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Pennsylvania?

The estimated gap in Pennsylvania is about $2,870 a year, or roughly 3% more for psychiatric nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Pennsylvania figures exact?

No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Pennsylvania wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Pennsylvania's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.

Why are some figures verified and others estimates?

National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Pennsylvania · PA

Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse salary in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, psychiatric nurses earn more — an estimated $98,470 a year versus $95,600 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,870 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Pennsylvania.

Psychiatric Nurse — Pennsylvania

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$98,470

Near national

Hourly

$47.34/hr

Median $98,470

$69,590Middle 50%: $81,090–$113,410$138,760

Typical range: $81,090–$113,410; What most nurses earn
High end: $138,760; Top earners
Entry level: $69,590; Newer nurses

Med-Surg Nurse — Pennsylvania

Specialty estimate

Median annual pay

$95,600

Near national

Hourly

$45.96/hr

Median $95,600

$67,560Middle 50%: $78,720–$110,100$134,720

Typical range: $78,720–$110,100; What most nurses earn
High end: $134,720; Top earners
Entry level: $67,560; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Pennsylvania

Psychiatric and med-surg nurse pay is comparable, as both are staff RN roles on the same wage base. Psych nursing focuses on mental-health assessment, de-escalation, and behavioral care; med-surg on broad adult inpatient care. Setting, shift, and the local market matter more than the specialty itself. The Pennsylvania figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Pennsylvania's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse comparison or personalize the calculator.

Psychiatric Nurse vs Med-Surg Nurse in Pennsylvania — FAQ

Do psychiatric nurses or med-surg nurses earn more in Pennsylvania?: In Pennsylvania, psychiatric nurses earn more — an estimated $98,470 a year versus $95,600 for med-surg nurses, a gap of about $2,870 (roughly 3% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Pennsylvania's local pay level.
How much is the psychiatric nurse vs med-surg nurse pay gap in Pennsylvania?: The estimated gap in Pennsylvania is about $2,870 a year, or roughly 3% more for psychiatric nurses. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Pennsylvania figures exact?: No — they're modeled estimates, not verified Pennsylvania wages. They start from each role's national pay and adjust for Pennsylvania's cost of labor, and they update to verified numbers when official state data is loaded.
Why are some figures verified and others estimates?: National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.

Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.

Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)

Pennsylvania figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.98×).

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Pennsylvania. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.