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Job outlook for private duty nurses in the United States
Private duty nurse job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected private duty nurse job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 195,400 new jobs for private duty nurses are projected over the next decade.
Private duty nurse salaries have increased 10% for private duty nurses in the last 5 years.
There are over 17,499 private duty nurses currently employed in the United States.
There are 256,740 active private duty nurse job openings in the US.
The average private duty nurse salary is $55,518.
Are private duty nurse jobs in demand?
Private duty nurse job and salary trends over time
Private duty nurse jobs over time
Private duty nurse job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,499 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,148 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,124 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 16,950 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 16,691 | 0.01% |
Average private duty nurse salary over time
Private duty nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $55,518 | $26.69 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $54,022 | $25.97 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $52,865 | $25.42 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $51,590 | $24.80 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $50,448 | $24.25 | +1.4% |
Private duty nurse jobs by state
Most common states for private duty nurses
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,476 | 36% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 394 | 29% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 256 | 29% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 180 | 29% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 358 | 27% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 268 | 26% |
| 7 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 444 | 24% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,997 | 23% |
| 9 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,559 | 23% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 213 | 22% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 168 | 22% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,170 | 21% |
| 13 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,353 | 20% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,231 | 20% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 642 | 20% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 582 | 20% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 384 | 20% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,010 | 19% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 677 | 19% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 399 | 19% |
Most common cities for private duty nurses
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magna | 5 | 19% | $47,810 |
| 2 | Broomfield | 7 | 11% | $60,378 |
| 3 | Littleton | 5 | 11% | $60,310 |
| 4 | Beaumont | 9 | 8% | $50,776 |
| 5 | Temple | 6 | 8% | $51,349 |
| 6 | Ames | 4 | 6% | $49,350 |
| 7 | Brockton | 5 | 5% | $79,445 |
| 8 | Bryan | 4 | 5% | $51,162 |
| 9 | Killeen | 6 | 4% | $51,414 |
| 10 | West Valley City | 5 | 4% | $47,792 |
| 11 | Worcester | 5 | 3% | $79,405 |
| 12 | Arvada | 4 | 3% | $60,358 |
| 13 | Lubbock | 6 | 2% | $52,404 |
| 14 | Amarillo | 4 | 2% | $52,636 |
| 15 | Austin | 12 | 1% | $51,340 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs | 5 | 1% | $60,102 |
| 17 | Denver | 5 | 1% | $60,312 |
| 18 | San Antonio | 7 | 0% | $51,319 |
| 19 | New York | 6 | 0% | $74,556 |
Private Duty Nurse job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of private duty nurse experts
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
California State University - Chico
Meharry Medical College
Molloy College
University of Detroit Mercy
Prairie View A & M University
Mars Hill University
Western Carolina University
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
San Jose State University
Southern Adventist University
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Morton College
Bay State College
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP
Associate Teaching Professor of Nursing & NLN Certified Nurse EducatorPennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What will help Private Duty Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP: Facility with telehealth will become more important, as health systems develop better follow up of discharged patients in order to reduce readmissions. Recognizing clinical deterioration and knowing when to speak up about it, and to whom, will become more important as health care systems become more consolidated, and as they continue to experience shortages of RNs (especially as more states pass minimum staffing laws). Developing skills in research ("evidence-based practice"), collaboration with colleagues in councils and committees, and unit-based advocacy will become more important as a counterweight to the prerogatives of non-clinical administrators seeking to boost efficiencies, cut costs, and control risk: Advocating for patients is important, but advocating for your unit's needs also advocates for your patients as a class of people with particular needs.
What Private Duty Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rich Burton DNP, RN, CMSRN: Most hospitals have set rates for nurses but if you are looking to maximize your salary, I would say location location location. Certain areas of the country pay more than others, be willing to move to maximize your earning potential. Hospitals might also pay more for certifications or a bachelor’s degree as well.
Olugbemiga Ogunkua M.D., Ph.D.
ProfessorMeharry Medical College
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Private Duty Nurse?
Olugbemiga Ogunkua M.D., Ph.D.: 2. Ability to learn about new inventions. Computer has changed the field tremendously and knowledge comes at a fast and furry pace so you need to keep up with new knowledge and be able to discriminate about what is useful and relevant from what is not useful though may be novella. Mountains of new information can easily lead to confusion. Learn to know the rules first, before you embark with the new fag in town.
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC
ProfessorMolloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Private Duty Nurse?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Starting a career in nursing can be both exciting and intimidating. Some general advice for new nursing graduates embarking on their professional journey may include: Never Stop Learning, Develop Strong Communication Skills, Cultivate Critical Thinking, Prioritize Self-Care, Build a Strong Support System.
What will help Private Duty Nurses increase their earning potential?
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Specialize, Further Education, Negotiate, Explore Alternative Settings, Stay Updated.
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Detroit Mercy
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Private Duty Nurse?
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Nursing remains an excellent career path, characterized by its evolving landscape and opportunities, continual growth, and soaring demand in a variety of settings. Nursing guarantees job stability, possibility for both personal and professional advancement, and the satisfaction of positively impacting people's lives.
What will help Private Duty Nurses increase their earning potential?
Allyssa Harris RN, PhD, WHNP-BC: I can't speak for everyone but what I like about being a nurse is the ability to connect one on one with the patient and their family. Patients allow us the privilege of providing care and comfort during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It is the connection that we share that is the most rewarding. I believe that is this care and education that provides patients with the opportunity to make knowledgeable decisions about their health and well-being. What is most challenging about nursing is the increasing complexity of the patient care provide. Often patients enter the health care system later, having delayed care variety or reasons including lack of access, socio-economic challenges, unawareness, etc. This often increases the complexity of the care needed and nurses are required to have a broad knowledge of many things. I wouldn't say that they dislike the nursing profession, but the work is challenging.
Clare Chambers
Assistant Professor of NursingMars Hill University
Nursing Department
What skills stand out on Private Duty Nurse resumes?
Clare Chambers: Skills that typically stand out on RN resumes include special certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN). Managers also tend to pay attention to applicants who have volunteer experience or are members of nursing organizations within their educational programs or nationally. Other useful skills include any previous electronic medical record experience or working at the bedside previously as a certified nurse assistant if the nurse is newly licensed.
Terrica Durbin Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director, School of NursingWestern Carolina University
College of Health and Human Sciences
What skills stand out on Private Duty Nurse resumes?
Terrica Durbin Ph.D.: Communication, critical thinking, patient assessment, problem-solving, clinical skills specific to the nurse's setting, electronic recordkeeping, flexibility.
What soft skills should all Private Duty Nurses possess?
Kim Raines: Graduates have been confronted with harsh realities. They have had considerable remote learning which may have made them wiser to the value of being in person compared to a recording or reading and learning independently. Of course, there is a place for both. Some graduates have been even more personally affected by the pandemic. They may have suffered through the grim and enduring loss of hospitalized loved ones, many of whom were completely isolated. Graduates need to understand fully; the power of human touch, and the how and why superb communication - however limited it may be - is a lifeline for patients and families. Teamwork, flexibility and interpersonal skills take on a new meaning in the pandemic healthcare world. New graduates will need to focus on deliberate practices for staying well themselves (physically and emotionally) but also be extraordinarily conscious of ways to support their co-workers in real time and perhaps off the job as well.
What Private Duty Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michelle Hampton Ph.D.: I think there are always opportunities to work and gain experience once the nurse is licensed. They might need to be creative, flexible, and work where there's a need. That might be a specialty area they hadn't considered or a geographic area that requires some travel. I don't think a gap year is inevitable for all new graduates and there might be opportunities for them to find work, and they can always continue the learning process after you're employed, even if it's not your dream job. The more significant obstacle seems to be for students who are currently still in nursing programs.
Clinical sites weren't accepting students for several months, and now that they are again, they have significantly limited the number of students allowed at one time and the number of hours they can train. When a staff member or patient tests positive, students are pulled from the site for some time, and students are struggling to get the minimum number of hours required to continue progressing in the nursing program. Some schools have even suspended admission for new groups of students instead choosing to focus on getting the current students through the program.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Private Duty Nurses to find work opportunities?
Sylvia Mayer: -Yes, they are still hiring new graduates. More nurses are needed! Though still employed, nurses may be unable to work a regular schedule due to family needs or illness, children at home doing online school, or personal health issues. All of this is also the frequent need for a pipeline of nurses entering the workforce.
-Residency or orientation programs are robust and needed now more than ever. Employers are not fast-tracking new nurses without the right orientation.
-Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are seeking ways to support exhausted or fatigued nurses and employees. Creative self-care strategies include flexible schedules, mental health support resources, cross-training nurses to float and relieve nurses in the high-stress area, giving career-ladder credit for swimming, and other new Covid-19 related requirements.
What type of skills will young Private Duty Nurses need?
Angela Mund: To meet the needs of our current volatile and complex healthcare landscape, all healthcare providers will need to understand the business of healthcare, in addition to providing expert patient care. Starting in 2025, all graduates from nurse anesthesia programs will be awarded a doctoral degree, a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP), or a doctorate in nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP). These degree programs include additional anesthesia experience as well as an understanding of effective leadership, healthcare economics and reimbursement, the use of big data for improving patient outcomes, and evidence-based practice.
Alicia Cardona
Nursing instructorMorton College
Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Private Duty Nurse?
Alicia Cardona: For nurses beginning their careers, take every opportunity to learn everything you can. There is so much to do in nursing; you never know what you will find that you are good at or that you will enjoy. There are good days and bad days in nursing. Enjoy the good, and realize the bad is only temporary. Be flexible and take care of yourself. Nursing is demanding, so take care of yourself, so you do not burnout.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Private Duty Nurses?
Cheryl McInerney: The healthcare system is facing unprecedented demands as the COVID-19 emergency continues. Medical assistants will be critical to ensuring that patients get the care they need during their visits to their healthcare providers.