Registered Nurse Salary in Adelaide (2026)

Last updated

Registered Nurses in Adelaide earn a median salary of $100,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $83,802 and $166,626. That sits 25% above Adelaide's all-roles median of $80,000. Figures are based on 77 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Adelaide in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 0% of roles by listing volume in Adelaide ↑ +2 listings vs last month
💰 Registered Nurse · Adelaide
ADVERTISED RANGE
$83,802 – $166,626
Median: $100,000
May $100k
Jun $100k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $83,202 – $169,418
Overall $83k–$166k Mid $83k–$169k $80k $99k $118k $136k $155k $174k
High confidence 77 listings (+2 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $83,802 Median  $100,000 $166,626  Top 10%

Understanding the Adelaide Market

Registered nurses top Adelaide's demand ranking this month, the maximum demand score, on 77 listings, and pay held flat at $100k. That figure runs 25% above Adelaide's $80k city median, a bigger premium than the same role earns in most capitals because Adelaide's overall wages sit lower. The pay itself is nationally uniform: RNs earn $100k in almost every capital, from Sydney to Perth. The wide band ($84k to $167k) reflects specialisation, shift loadings and seniority stacked on a fixed base.

Take Home Pay (based on median $100,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,443
Monthly (net)
~$6,253
Annual (net)
~$75,033
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $111,500

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?
The floor is around $83k (p10). A new-graduate RN starts near there on the award, and the lift toward the top of the band comes from a clinical specialty (ICU, theatre, emergency), shift and penalty loadings, and postgraduate qualifications rather than base pay alone, which is largely fixed by enterprise agreements.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Adelaide?
Yes. At $100k the median is 25% above Adelaide's all-roles median and nets about $75k, and because Adelaide's cost of living is lower than the eastern capitals, that take-home stretches further. Nursing pay is nationally consistent, so an RN in Adelaide keeps the same $100k as one in Sydney while facing lower housing costs, a genuinely favourable combination.
How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Adelaide?
The band reaches $167k (p90), where clinical nurse consultants, specialists and nurse managers sit, well above the base RN grade. The step up comes from postgraduate specialisation, moving into advanced-practice or consultant roles (the CNC median runs far higher), or taking nurse-unit-manager responsibility for a ward and its staff.

Other roles in Adelaide

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Adelaide
Adelaide (this page) $100,000 —
Wollongong $105,347 +5%
Gold Coast $100,000 ~same
Melbourne $100,000 ~same
Perth $100,000 ~same

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.