Registered Nurse Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Registered Nurses in Sydney earn a median salary of $100,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $83,980 and $125,000. That sits 5% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 225 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 1% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +33 listings vs last month
💰 Registered Nurse · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$83,980 – $125,000
Median: $100,000
May $99k
Jun $100k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $84,184 – $125,000
Overall $83k–$125k Mid $84k–$125k $81k $90k $100k $109k $119k $128k
High confidence 225 listings (+33 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%  $83,980 Median  $100,000 $125,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Registered nurse is one of the highest-demand roles tracked in Sydney, 225 listings, up sharply from 192, second only to project management for volume. Pay is stable, the median gained $600 to $100k, sitting 5% above the city's all-roles figure. That $100k is broadly the national rate for the role, reflecting award-based pay that varies little by city. The band ($83,980 to $125,000) is set by grade progression and penalty rates rather than negotiation.

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 Sydney?
Registered nurses in Sydney start around $84k, a floor set by the degree, AHPRA registration and the enterprise-award pay scale. The lift toward the $125,000 top comes from grade progression and specialisation: moving up the RN pay points, adding penalty-heavy shifts, and specialising (ICU, emergency, theatre) all push pay up. Post-graduate certificates in a specialty are the clearest lever.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes. At $100k the median registered nurse earns 5% above Sydney's all-roles median and nets roughly $75k after tax, and penalty rates lift real earnings above base for anyone on shift work. Because pay is award-based it is predictable and progresses reliably with grade, so this is a stable, fairly compensated career even in an expensive city.
How much does a Senior Registered Nurse make in Sydney?
Experienced nurses reach the $125,000 top through senior grades, specialty certification (ICU, emergency, perioperative), and penalty-loaded rosters. Beyond that, the ceiling lifts by moving into Clinical Nurse Consultant or Nurse Unit Manager roles, which trade some bedside work for clinical leadership and require post-graduate qualifications. Progression follows the award scale, so added credentials translate directly into pay.

Other roles in Sydney

Registered Nurse salaries in other cities

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