Registered Nurse Salary in Adelaide (2026)

Last updated 02/08/2026

Registered Nurses in Adelaide earn a median salary of $95,685 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $85,000 and $140,296. That sits 20% above Adelaide's all-roles median of $80,028. Figures are based on 114 jobs advertised in Adelaide in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 0% of roles by listing volume in Adelaide ↑ +37 listings vs last month

ADVERTISED RANGE

$85,000 – $140,296

Median: $95,685

Jun $100k

Jul $95k

↓ Trending down

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level

$85,000 – $140,296

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 114 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 21.2% stated a salary directly. The remaining 78.8% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Fewer than a quarter of these listings stated a salary, so the median leans heavily on estimates.

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Bottom 10% $85,000 Median $95,685 $140,296 Top 10%

Understanding the Adelaide Market

Adelaide has the highest listing volume of any role in the city at 114, up from 77 in June, and the lowest registered nurse median in the country at $95,000. Every other capital sits between $96,000 and $100,000, so the gap is small in dollars but consistent. The median fell $4,300 even as listings grew 48%, which usually signals volume expansion at the graduate and enrolled end rather than a pay cut. The 58% spread reflects the distance between award-linked ward roles at $85,000 and specialist or remote-loading positions reaching $140,000.

Take Home Pay (based on median $95,685)

Weekly (net)

~$1,389

Monthly (net)

~$6,017

Annual (net)

~$72,207

Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $106,688

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Registered Nurse in Adelaide?

New graduate nurses start at $85,000, set by the SA Health enterprise agreement rather than negotiated individually. Progression through the early pay points is time-based and largely automatic in the public system. Private and aged care employers pay similarly at entry but move faster for those taking night and weekend loadings.

Is $95,685 a good salary in Adelaide?

Reasonable, but it is the weakest nursing market in the country. At $95,000 the role sits 19.6% above Adelaide's all-roles median of $80,000, with take-home around $1,389 a week and the lowest living costs of the mainland capitals. Against other cities Adelaide is last, with every other capital paying $96,000 to $100,000 for the same registration. Only 21% of these listings stated a salary, so read the figure as directional.

How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Adelaide?

The top of the range is $140,000, covering clinical nurse consultant, nurse practitioner and specialist or remote roles rather than standard ward nursing. Postgraduate certification in a specialty such as ICU, emergency, perioperative or mental health is the usual requirement. The single largest jump available is nurse practitioner endorsement, which requires a master's degree.

Other roles in Adelaide

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

City	Median salary	vs Adelaide
Adelaide (this page)	$95,685	0%
Brisbane	$100,000	+5%
Canberra	$100,000	+5%
Melbourne	$100,000	+5%
Newcastle	$100,000	+5%

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