Nursing Jobs: Philadelphia Overview
Philadelphia, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States employs more than 414,000 healthcare workers. That means you’ll have your pick of great nursing jobs. Philadelphia also has much to offer in terms of culture and history — all at a relatively affordable cost of living. IntelyCare has the latest full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem positions in a variety of specialties and settings. Start your search today.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Is Pennsylvania a compact state? Yes. Learn about the general rules in our article on the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act.
- What are the salaries for nursing jobs in Philadelphia? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Philadelphia by license/certification:
- NP salary in Philadelphia: $133,360
- RN salary in Philadelphia: $97,510
- LPN salary in Philadelphia: $68,370
- CNA salary in Philadelphia: $43,100
- Where can I learn more about nurse requirements in Pennsylvania? You can visit the PA Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information. If your license is nearing expiration, check out our article on Pennsylvania nursing license renewals.
- What are some nearby cities that also have good nursing jobs? Expand your job search to include:
- Nursing jobs in Trenton, NJ
- Nursing jobs in Wilmington, DE
- Nursing jobs in King of Prussia, PA
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Almost 1.6 million people live in the City of Brotherly Love, and they all need access to high-quality healthcare professionals. You can find opportunities for a variety of roles including:
- CRNA jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- CNM jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- RN jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- LPN jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Nursing assistant jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Surgical tech jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- CMA jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Medication aide jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Home health aide jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Caregiver jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Student nurse jobs in Philadelphia, PA
Note that cultural competence and proficiency in a language other than English are valuable skills to have before you apply to nursing jobs — Philadelphia is a diverse city: 40% of residents are Black; 36% are White; 15% are Hispanic or Latino; 8% are Asian; and 7% are two or more races. Furthermore, greater Philadelphia’s healthcare workforce exceeds national estimates when it comes to African-American/Black representation.
The median age of residents is 35.6, which is a few years younger than the state median. People ages 65 and over make up around 14% of the population. Compared to the rest of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia residents have higher hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases, influenza and pneumonia, and septicemia.
Working in Philadelphia
Healthcare, education, professional/tech services, manufacturing, and finance/insurance are among the leading industries in Philadelphia. The metropolitan area has the fourth-highest employment level of RNs in the U.S., contributing to the many available nursing jobs.
Philadelphia has open roles in leading hospitals and medical systems, including:
- Penn Medicine
- Jefferson Health
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Temple Health
- UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- Main Line Health
- Tower Health
- UHS
- Trinity Health
Philadelphia operates eight city health centers via the Department of Health, and there are more than 260 nursing homes that employ skilled nursing professionals if you prefer to work in long-term care.
The majority of the city’s job force drives solo to work and has a commute time of around 31 minutes. Hundreds of thousands of riders rely on the trains, subways, buses, trolleys run by the Southeastern Philadelphia Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to get around the city.
If you need help looking after your kids while you’re working a shift, Philadelphia has affordable childcare and early learning programs, and provides resources for after-school and summer programs.
If you want someone to walk your dog or feed your cat while you’re working a double, you can rely on pet-sitting services to help you out.
Living in Philadelphia
History aficionados can get their fill in Philadelphia, the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the entire country. From Carpenters’ Hall to the Liberty Bell Center to Independence Hall to the Benjamin Franklin Museum, there’s seemingly endless landmarks to explore.
You can catch touring Broadway shows at the Academy of Music and take in the masterpieces at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. Healthcare professionals shouldn’t miss the Mütter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia — a collection of medical specimens including skulls and skeletons, tumors, and even slides of Albert Einstein’s brain.
Hungry? Philly has a well-established food scene, including more than 300 BYOB restaurants. Head over to Reading Terminal Market, in operation since 1893, where locals and tourists alike go to eat their way through the food stalls that sell everything from produce to baked goods. Philadelphia is also where you’ll find the famed Italian Market, the oldest outdoor market in the U.S.
Speaking of old, Philadelphia is home to the oldest and one of the largest urban park systems in the country — more than 100 parks cover over 10,000 acres. Among the offerings are the scenic trails in Wissahickon Valley Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park, while Fairmount Park features a Japanese garden, historic mansions, and the oldest zoo in the country.
If you’re looking to travel, you have access to three airports, but the main one is Philadelphia International, which has flights to more than 120 destinations around the world. There are also plenty of accessible day trips by car, train, or bus, including to the Brandywine Museum of Art, the Bucks County Playhouse, and Sesame Place.
The weather in Philadelphia is warm, wet, and humid in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter. Temperatures range from 26 degrees to 87 degrees over the year. July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest.
With all it has to offer, Philadelphia has a relatively modest cost of living that’s only around 3% higher than the rest of the country. The average home price is around 9% lower, but monthly rents are 19% higher.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Philadelphia has excellent career opportunities for nurses and healthcare professionals. Need some help getting started? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.