Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of nurses that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of nurses:
-
Agency Registered Nurse is the highest-paid type of nurse with an average salary of $103,560 and an average hourly rate of $49.79.
-
The second highest-paying type of nurse is registered nurse med/surg, with an average salary of $84,812.
-
The average nurse salary is $57,564 per year, and the average hourly pay is $27.68.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a nurse, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of nurses are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of nurses:
-
Agency Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $103,560
-
Registered Nurse Med/Surg
Average Salary: $84,812
The job of registered medical-surgical nurses is to care for patients with either surgical or non-surgical conditions. They are responsible for aiding patients to cope with their illness, prevent diseases, and promote good health. Entry-level registered nurses often rely on standardized care plans and medical procedures and make scientific-based nursing judgments. On the other hand, intermediate level nurses are more skilled in developing care plans that meet client needs. Requirements to become a medical-surgical nurse include a college degree in nursing, excellent assessment and observation skills, and patient education skills.
-
Traveling Nurse
Average Salary: $83,961
Often employed under a staffing agency, a travel nurse primarily works short-term on different limited-staffed hospitals in cities all over a country, and even abroad on rare occasions. They are mainly responsible for providing treatment and immediate care to patients, administering medicine, assisting in various tasks, preparing meals, and other functions that the supervising colleague delegates. Furthermore, as a travel nurse, one must quickly familiarize the surroundings and colleagues to work efficiently, all while upholding their oath as health care workers.
-
Staff Nurse For Emergency Department
Average Salary: $83,901
-
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $81,260
An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various nurse that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Nurses
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for nurses.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Nurse Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid nurse job?
The highest-paid nurse job is an agency registered nurse. Agency Registered Nurses earn an average salary of $103,560, which is $ 49.79 hourly.
-
What is a good salary for a nurse?
A good salary for a nurse is $57,564 or more. The average nurse salary is $57,564, so those making at least $57,564 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average nurse salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a nurse, the average entry level salary is $45,646, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $57,564 average, as this includes all nurses of all skill and experience levels.
-
Do Nurse jobs pay well?
Yes, nurse jobs pay well. As in any industry, some nurse jobs pay better than others, but the average nurse salary of $57,564 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many nurse jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of nurses earning $78,740 a year on average.
Nurses’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a nurse. Do your research on the going rate for a nurse in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
-
Where do nurses get paid the most?
Nurses get paid the most in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, nurses earn an average annual salary of $73,241 and an average hourly wage of $35.21.
Following MA, the states with the highest-paid nurses are New York, Alaska, and Maine, with average annual salaries of $73,583, $74,932, and $62,731 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid nurse salaries are:
-
San Francisco, CA – $81,015
-
Portland, OR – $75,010
-
New York, NY – $73,670
-
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
