Philadelphia is one of the most active nursing job markets in the country heading into 2026. Major academic centers, a high concentration of specialty hospitals, and persistent staffing shortages have created a strong seller’s market for RNs, LPNs, and nurse practitioners — particularly in critical care, OR, and behavioral health specialties.
By the numbers: Philadelphia is projected to need approximately 5,200 new nurses over the next five years, and 92% of participating hospitals report actively recruiting ICU/critical care nurses. So if you’re a nurse considering Philly, the demand side of the equation has rarely looked better.
Here’s where nursing jobs are in Philadelphia in 2026 — by role, employer, and specialty — plus what you can expect to earn at each.
| Category | Top Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Best Hospital for RN Careers | Penn Medicine |
| Best Pediatric Nursing Employer | CHOP |
| Best Travel Nursing Opportunities | Temple University Hospital |
| Best Nurse Practitioner Opportunities | Penn Medicine & Main Line Health |
| Most In-Demand Specialty | ICU/Critical Care Nursing |
| Strongest Growth Area | Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing |
| Position | Typical Philadelphia Area Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $76,000–$120,000+ |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $55,000–$65,000+ |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | $120,000–$155,000+ |
| Critical Care RN | $95,000–$130,000+ |
| Acute Care NP | $130,000–$155,000+ |
| Travel RN | Up to $4,000+ per week |
Salary estimates may vary based on experience, specialty, certifications, shift differentials, and employer.
Philly’s premier academic medical center. Strong pay for staff and specialty RNs, NPs, and APRNs. Currently among the largest single nursing employers in the Philly metro.
Best for:
Major academic system with strong oncology, cardiology, and neurosurgery programs. Active hiring across RN, LPN, and NP roles.
Best for:
Top pediatric academic center in the region. Premium pay for pediatric specialty RNs and NPs, particularly in NICU, PICU, and oncology.
Best for:
Level I trauma center and safety-net hospital with high acuity case mix and high travel nursing demand. Currently the largest single source of travel RN listings in Philadelphia (~87 jobs in April 2026).
Best for:
Major community-academic hybrid with strong specialty hospital network. Active for RN and LPN hiring, particularly in critical care and med-surg.
Part of the Penn Medicine system. Strong specialty programs in cardiology, transplant, and trauma.
Suburban Philly system covering the western and southwestern metro. Strong primary care and outpatient specialty NP opportunities.
Best for:
Major regional system serving South Philly metro and Northern Delaware. Active hiring for staff RN, NP, and specialty roles.
Some specialties are significantly hotter than others heading into 2026. Based on hospital reporting and active job listings:
92% of Philly-area hospitals report actively recruiting critical care nurses. CCRN-certified RNs command premium pay and have leverage on schedule and shift selection. Pay range: $95,000–$130,000+ for experienced staff.
78% of hospitals report difficulty filling OR roles. Sign-on bonuses are common, particularly for nurses with 2+ years of OR experience.
Persistent demand across academic and community ERs. Trauma center experience (Temple, Penn, Jefferson) commands premium pay.
Steady demand at academic centers. CHOP, Penn, and Jefferson actively recruit L&D RNs with 2+ years of experience.
One of the fastest-growing specialties in the region. PMHNP demand is particularly acute, with average Philly PMHNP pay around $126,420 — the second-highest NP specialty in PA.
Strong growth at Penn, Jefferson, CHOP, and Main Line Health. Acute care NPs command pay in the $130,000–$155,000 range.
LPN demand in Philadelphia is concentrated in long-term care, skilled nursing, home health, and outpatient practices. Hospital LPN roles are less common in Philly than in suburban systems.
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong market for travel nurses and per diem RNs, with weekly contracts averaging $2,000–$4,000+ depending on specialty and acuity.
Temple, Penn, Einstein, and Jefferson are the most active travel destinations in the city.
Per diem RNs in Philly typically earn $47–$60+ per hour, with premium pay for ICU, ER, and OR shifts.
Travel contracts often include competitive weekly pay, housing stipends, and completion bonuses depending on specialty and facility needs.
Whether you're an RN, LPN, or NP targeting Philadelphia, TAG MedStaffing maintains active relationships with Penn, Jefferson, Temple, CHOP, Einstein, Main Line, ChristianaCare, and dozens of outpatient specialty practices across the metro.
Search Philadelphia Nursing JobsAmong staff roles, CRNAs lead the pay list at $215,000+. For RNs, specialty critical care and OR roles at Penn and CHOP top out above $130,000 in base pay. For NPs, neonatal and acute care specialties at Penn and CHOP lead at $140,000–$165,000+.
Yes — particularly for critical care, OR, ER, and specialty NP roles. Bonuses commonly range from $5,000 to $20,000 with 1–2 year commitments.
Temple University Hospital currently leads travel RN listings, followed by Penn and Einstein. Jefferson is the most active for new grad RN hiring.
Yes — Philly is a top-20 travel nursing market nationally, with consistent weekly rates of $2,000–$4,000+ depending on specialty. Demand is strongest at Level I trauma centers (Temple, Penn, Jefferson) and during winter respiratory season.
Pennsylvania nursing licensure through the State Board of Nursing. PA is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so RNs with multi-state licenses can practice in PA. Most major academic systems require BSN or commitment to obtain one.
We connect RNs, LPNs, NPs, and specialty nursing professionals with leading hospitals, health systems, and outpatient employers across Philadelphia and the broader Mid-Atlantic.
From new grad placements to senior specialty roles, our recruiters know the local market and the contracts.
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