 There is a lot of salary potential
in the nursing profession. Nursing is not only an in-demand profession; it is also a fairly well-paid profession. 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 salary potential that different nursing careers offer. Overall, nursing salaries vary depending on a number of factors:
- Level of nursing 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
The factors described above, coupled with the nursing career you choose, will influence your nursing salary. Learn more about nursing salaries to help you assess your nursing career options.  Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 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. LPN Median Hourly Rate by State: According to data compiled in May 2009 at PayScale.com, LPN's earn the following median hourly rates in the states listed: - North Carolina: $18.11
- Ohio: $17.72
- Florida: $17.52
- New York: $17.23
- Georgia: $16.25
Registered Nurse (RN) 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. RN Median Hourly Rate by State (2009): June 2009 data from PayScale.com shows that RN's earn the following median hourly rates in the states listed: - California: $33.73
- New York: $27.91
- Pennsylvania: $26.14
- Texas: $25.95
- Illinois: $25.84
Advanced Practiced Nursing (AP) 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 nursing salary ranges for the different categories of advanced practice nursing careers. All data was compiled in April 2009 at Salary.com, unless otherwise noted. | | Nursing Salary Range | | Advanced Practice Nursing Category | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | | Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $135,388 | $145,216 | $155,415 | | Certified Nurse Midwife | $81,557 | $89,337 | $96,097 | | Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | $74,545 | $80,975 | $88,168 | | Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | $75,838 | $82,590 | $89,392 | | Advanced Practice Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) | $60,000 to $125,000* | *Source: Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow (NHT), 2009 Nursing Specialties When it comes to specialized practice, nurses have an extensive number of options, from cardiovascular nursing to forensic nursing. Each specialty offers its own unique rewards and nursing salary. The following two tables show nursing salaries for a number of nursing specialties. | | Median Salary Based on Employer Type* | | Nursing Specialty | Hospital | Non-Profit Organization | Private Practice/Firm | Company | | Acute Care Nurse | $84,420 | $82,000 | $73,141 | $84,675 | | Adult Nurse | $81,827 | $82,988 | $77,216 | $76,841 | | Cardiovascular Nurse | $84,902 | $84,020 | $75,780 | $80,329 | | Military Nurse | $57,335 | $100,000 | $120,000 | $77,419 | | Neonatal Nurse | $61,170 | $70,055 | $71,010 | $67,145 | *Source: PayScale.com, 2009 | | Nursing Salary Range* | | Nursing Specialty | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | | Pediatric Nurse | $54,325 | $59,498 | $65,292 | | Psychiatric Nurse | $55,864 | $61,565 | $67,890 | | School Nurse | $34,596 | $43,296 | $54,663 | | Surgical Nurse | $65,718 | $74,197 | $79,756 | Source: Salary.com, 2009 Some specialized nursing professions, including forensic nursing, legal nurse consulting and travel nursing, typically pay by the hour. In these occupations, you can expect nursing salaries to vary based on a number of factors that include job location and the specific nursing duties that a particular case or assignment involves. The below chart will give you an idea of what to expect from nursing specialties that pay by the hour. | Nursing Specialty | Rate | Source | | Forensic Nurse | $26 to $100 per hour or a flat fee of $150 to $400 per case | TheForensicNurse.com | | Legal Nurse Consultant | $125 to $150 per hour | The Medical-Legal Consulting Institute | | Travel Nurse | $30 to $40 per hour, plus benefits such as relocation costs | PayScale.com | 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. 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! 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. 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. And those who reported being certified in a specialty made $9,200 more annually than nurses who weren't certified. More Than Just a Paycheck Salary is one factor to consider in choosing your nursing career. But, most importantly, the notion that you happen to be making a good living doing what you love is what will make the difference to you. Match your interests to the right nursing path, and you will enjoy immeasurable rewards throughout your career. Sources:
PayScale.com, 2009
Salary.com, 2009
Salary Wizard, 2009
Vickie Milazzo Institute, 1999-2009
Nurses For a Healthier Tomorrow, 2009 |
Nurse Salary Quick Facts - 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.
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