Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of publicly available government data and insights from thousands of contemporary job postings, the Zippia data team has developed average salary estimates for nursing roles across the United States. This analysis has identified the highest-paying staff nurse positions based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paid types of staff nurses:
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The Registered Nurse in the ICU remains the highest-paid staff nurse, with an average salary of $92,881 and an average hourly rate of $44.65.
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Following closely, the Telemetry Registered Nurse has an average salary of $91,416.
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The overall average salary for staff nurses is $68,342 per year, equating to an average hourly wage of $32.86.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision-making. Understanding which staff nurse roles are the highest-paid can help you strategize your career trajectory effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various staff nurse specialties:
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Registered Nurse in the ICU
Average Salary: $92,881
The role of a registered nurse in the ICU involves closely monitoring patients’ conditions and providing detailed reports to physicians and families. Given the critical nature of ICU patients, these nurses must be highly observant and proactive. Responsibilities may also include coordinating care plans, managing documentation, and responding to emergencies swiftly.
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Telemetry Registered Nurse
Average Salary: $91,416
A telemetry registered nurse specializes in caring for patients with heart-related conditions requiring continuous monitoring. They analyze electrocardiograms (EKGs) and respond to patients experiencing cardiac distress, assisting physicians with diagnostic tests and treatment plans.
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Registered Nurse Med/Surg
Average Salary: $84,812
Registered medical-surgical nurses provide care to patients with surgical and non-surgical conditions. They focus on patient education, disease prevention, and health promotion. Entry-level nurses generally follow established care guidelines, while more experienced nurses customize care plans based on individual patient needs.
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Traveling Nurse
Average Salary: $83,961
Travel nurses work on short-term assignments in hospitals across various locations, often filling staffing gaps. Their duties include administering patient care, managing medications, and quickly adapting to new environments and teams.
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Staff Nurse for Emergency Department
Average Salary: $83,901
Below is a comprehensive table of the average pay for various high-ranking staff nurse roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Staff Nurses
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available data from government entities such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also evaluates job postings and company-released resources for the most up-to-date salary information for staff nurses.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, please refer to our 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 Nurses in the ICU earn an average salary of $92,881, translating to $44.65 per hour.
A registered nurse in the ICU is responsible for monitoring a patient’s progress and providing regular updates to physicians and families. ICU patients need intensive care, which requires nurses to be vigilant and proactive in their assessments. Duties may include paperwork, scheduling, responding to inquiries, and formulating care plans. In emergencies, it is critical to alert the assigned physician immediately.
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What is a good salary for a staff nurse?
A good salary for a staff nurse is $68,342 or higher. This average salary indicates that those earning this amount or more are receiving above-average compensation.
However, be aware that the average staff nurse salary can vary based on location, as employers adjust pay according to the local cost of living. Research the average salary in your area for your level of experience to get a clearer picture of your compensation.
If you are just starting your nursing career, the average entry-level salary is approximately $54,192. Therefore, it is essential not to judge your salary solely based on the $68,342 average, as this figure encompasses nurses across all experience levels.
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Do Staff Nurse jobs pay well?
Yes, staff nurse jobs typically offer competitive pay. While some roles pay more than others, the average salary of $68,342 considerably exceeds the average national income of around $44,225 per year.
Moreover, many staff nurse positions have significant earning potential, with the top 10% of staff nurses earning an average of $93,483 annually.
Salaries for staff nurses will vary significantly based on experience, industry, and location. Therefore, it’s important to research salary rates in your area and for your level of expertise, and don’t hesitate to negotiate your compensation based on this information.
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Where do staff nurses get paid the most?
Staff nurses earn the highest salaries in New Mexico. In New Mexico, staff nurses receive an average annual salary of $65,442 and an hourly wage of $31.46.
Following New Mexico, the states with the highest-paid staff nurses include Washington, Nevada, and Oklahoma, with average salaries of $83,834, $83,743, and $65,041, respectively.
The cities with the highest 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.
