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 staff 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 staff nurses:
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Registered Nurse In The ICU is the highest-paid type of staff nurse with an average salary of $92,881 and an average hourly rate of $44.65.
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The second highest-paying type of staff nurse is telemetry registered nurse, with an average salary of $91,416.
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The average staff nurse salary is $68,342 per year, and the average hourly pay is $32.86.
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 staff nurse, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of staff nurses are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of staff nurses:
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Registered Nurse In The ICU
Average Salary: $92,881
A registered nurse in the ICU, or intensive care unit, is responsible for monitoring a patient’s progress and performing regular reports to physicians and families. Most ICU patients require extensive attention and assessment, which will require a nurse to be more observant and proactive. A nurse may also have duties producing paperwork, arranging schedules, responding to various inquiries, and crafting a particular care plan. Furthermore, should there be any emergencies, it is crucial to inform the assigned physician right away.
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Telemetry Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $91,416
A telemetry registered nurse is a healthcare professional who specializes in caring for patients with heart disease or other medical issues that require continuous telemetry monitoring. Telemetry registered nurses are required to read and monitor the output of electrocardiograms (EKGs), which translate the heart’s electrical impulses into a readable rhythm. They must respond to patients who are experiencing cardiac pain and perform various diagnostic tests. Telemetry registered nurses must also assist doctors with different procedures and treatments for cardiac issues.
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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.
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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.
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Staff Nurse For Emergency Department
Average Salary: $83,901
Below is a full table of the average pay for various staff nurse that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Staff 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 staff 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 Staff Nurse Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid staff nurse job?
The highest-paid staff nurse job is a registered nurse in the icu. Registered Nurse In The ICUs earn an average salary of $92,881, which is $ 44.65 hourly.
A registered nurse in the ICU, or intensive care unit, is responsible for monitoring a patient’s progress and performing regular reports to physicians and families. Most ICU patients require extensive attention and assessment, which will require a nurse to be more observant and proactive. A nurse may also have duties producing paperwork, arranging schedules, responding to various inquiries, and crafting a particular care plan. Furthermore, should there be any emergencies, it is crucial to inform the assigned physician right away.
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What is a good salary for a staff nurse?
A good salary for a staff nurse is $68,342 or more. The average staff nurse salary is $68,342, so those making at least $68,342 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average staff 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 staff nurse, the average entry level salary is $54,192, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $68,342 average, as this includes all staff nurses of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Staff Nurse jobs pay well?
Yes, staff nurse jobs pay well. As in any industry, some staff nurse jobs pay better than others, but the average staff nurse salary of $68,342 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many staff nurse jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of staff nurses earning $93,483 a year on average.
Staff 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 staff nurse. Do your research on the going rate for a staff nurse in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do staff nurses get paid the most?
Staff Nurses get paid the most in New Mexico. In New Mexico, staff nurses earn an average annual salary of $65,442 and an average hourly wage of $31.46.
Following NM, the states with the highest-paid staff nurses are Washington, Nevada, and Oklahoma, with average annual salaries of $83,834, $83,743, and $65,041 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid staff nurse salaries are:
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Burlingame, CA – $109,688
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Portland, OR – $87,776
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Vancouver, WA – $86,712
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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.
