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Nursing Salaries

Find nurse salary information and learn about the benefits of certifications.

nursing salaries for medical staff

Nursing is not only an in-demand profession; nursing salaries are also fairly lucrative. With the current nursing shortage, qualified nurses can find exceptional nursing career opportunities across the country.

Before you start your job search, however, let alone your nursing education, you will want to learn what you can about the nurse salary potential that different nursing careers offer.

 

Factors in Nursing Salaries

Overall, nursing salaries vary depending on a number of factors:

  • Level of nursing degree and nursing education
  • 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

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Nursing Salaries

Licensed practical nurses typically train for their careers through a year-long education program at a hospital, community college or vocational school. After graduation, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to earn their nursing licensure.

Industry Annual Mean Wage
Nursing Care Facility $42,590
Hospital $40,250
Physician's Office $37,480
Home Health Care Services $42,550
Community Care Elderly Facility $42,270

 

Registered Nurse (RN) Nursing Salaries

To become a registered nurse, students must earn a two-year associate's or four-year bachelor's degree in nursing or complete a nursing diploma program. After earning their degree, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their registered nursing license.

Industry Annual Mean Wage
Hospitals $68,610
Physician's Office $70,530
Home Health Care Services $63,850
Nursing Home Facilities $59,990
Outpatient Care Centers $67,550

Advanced Practiced (AP) Nursing Salaries

Advanced Practice Nurses hold a master's degree in a particular focus area and provide one-on-one patient care services similar to those a physician would perform. The following statistics show annual nurse salary ranges for the different categories of advanced practice nursing careers.

Advanced Practice Nursing Category Annual Median Salary
Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) $156,032
Certified Nurse Midwife $91,242
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) $87,867
Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) $89,787
 

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 reimbursement

These recruitment incentives go to nurses who accept a position at their facility and agree to a set work commitment.

Does Certification Pay?

Yes! Certification identifies you as a nurse who has met rigorous practice and continuing nursing 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.
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010

Salary.com, 2011
Vickie Milazzo Institute, 1999-2009
Nurses For a Healthier Tomorrow, 2009

 

Nurse Salary Quick Facts

health care symbol
  • Larger cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have higher salaries and better benefits for their nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  •  
  • Nursing is one of the few occupations where you can get make a good living with only one to two years of education.

EXPLORE TOP DEGREES

 

QUICK LINKS

Nursing School Listings
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A complete listing of nursing schools in the U.S. to help you locate nursing schools that might interest you. Search for nursing schools by location or by nursing program such as pediatric nursing or forensic nursing.


Nurse Education & Career Center

Read articles and interviews about choosing a nursing school, nursing jobs, nurse salaries, nursing scholarships and nursing career advice.


Types of Nursing Programs

Read about the different types of nursing programs to learn what school program may be right for you.