Nursing Salaries
Find nursing salary information and learn about the benefits of certifications.
Nursing Salary Survey Reports
Overall, nursing salaries vary depending on a number of factors:
- Level of education (degree type)
- Years of experience in a chosen field
- State and city where you work (cost of living)
- Type of work you do
- Type of specialty you pursue
To help give you a holistic view on nursing salaries, take note of the following statistical information from PayScale compiled in 2006. These statistics offer only general guidance to help you to assess options for your nursing career.
Registered Nurses (RN)
RN Median Hourly Rate by State (2006)*
- California: $31.88
- Florida: $23.26
- Georgia: $23.83
- Illinois: $25.00
- Pennsylvania: $25.00
- Tennessee: $22.25
- Texas: $25.00
Additionally, according to 2004 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned an average of $52,330 per year. The middle 50 percent averaged between $43,370 and $63,360. The bottom 10 percent earned under $37,300, while the top 10 percent made more than $74,760.
According to the US Census Bureau's 2006 national salary survey, Registered Nurses (RN) can earn approximately $15,000 more per year than Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). If you are an LPN with 15 years until retirement, this translates to an additional $225,000 if you simply invest 12 months to complete an online LPN to RN program.
Find Registered Nursing Programs
RN Median Annual Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salaries in the industries employing the highest number of registered nurses as of May 2004 are:
- Employment services: $63,170
- General medical and surgical hospitals : $53,450
- Home health care services: $48,990
- Offices of physicians: $48,250
- Nursing care facilities: 48,220
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
NP Median Salary by State (2006)*
- California: $80,000
- Florida: $70,000
- Texas: $71,000
- Pennsylvania: $70,000
- Georgia: $65,000
- New York: $70,000
- Tennessee: $65,000
The 2005 National Salary Survey of Nurse Practitioners shows that the average annual full-time salary for a nurse practitioner has reached $74,812. That's an 8.1% increase over the average just two years ago when the last survey was conducted.
Find Nurse Practitioner Programs
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Median Salary by State (2006)*
- California: $100,000
- Florida: $105,000
- Texas: $112,500
- Pennsylvania: $105,000
- Illinois: $100,000
- Georgia: $108,000
- North Carolina: $110,000
Find Nurse Anesthetist Programs
Recruitment Incentives
The nursing shortage offers extremely advantageous opportunities for current nurses earning a higher degree and for nursing students preparing to enter the workforce. Many hospitals are now offering incentive programs such as:
- Recruitment bonuses (ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000)
- Relocation assistance
- Housing assistance
- Day care
- Tuition repayment
These recruitment incentives go to nurses who accept a position at their facility and agree to a set work commitment. Be sure to discuss these types of incentives when you are applying for your next job to make sure you are earning as much as you can.
Does Certification Pay?
Yes! Ask any nurse about the rewards of becoming certified in a nursing specialty and you’ll never hear a hint of regret. Certification brings much more than personal pride. You'll gain prestige from meeting nationally recognized standards in a specialty and added knowledge to build your confidence in practice and in dealings with other health care professionals.
Besides helping improve your sense of self, certification identifies you as a nurse who has met rigorous practice and continuing education requirements in your specialty. Patients will benefit from your expertise and employers will go out of their way to hire you and keep you happy.
Plus, certification brings salary benefits. The seventh annual nationwide survey from Nursing2006 shows that nurses who have attained higher education and specialty certifications are making more money. Over 1,100 nurses responded to the salary survey that was initially published in January 2006. Among all nurses, those who reported being certified in a specialty made $9,200 more annually than nurses who weren't certified.
*Nursing salary information by PayScale.com