If you are interested in becoming a registered nurse (RN) or want to know more about the salary and benefits of this profession, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with the latest and most reliable information on how much RNs earn in the US, what factors affect their income, and how they compare to other healthcare workers and other countries.
What is a Registered Nurse?
A registered nurse is a healthcare professional who provides direct care to patients in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and home health agencies. RNs work as part of a team with physicians and other medical staff to assess, diagnose, treat, and monitor patients’ health conditions. They also educate patients and their families on how to prevent and manage diseases, injuries, and chronic conditions.
RNs perform a wide range of duties, such as:
- Taking vital signs, medical histories, and physical examinations
- Administering medications, injections, blood transfusions, and intravenous fluids
- Performing diagnostic tests and interpreting the results
- Operating and maintaining medical equipment and devices
- Dressing wounds, changing bandages, and removing sutures
- Providing emotional support and counseling to patients and their families
- Documenting and reporting patient care activities and outcomes
- Supervising and mentoring nursing assistants and students
- Collaborating and communicating with other healthcare professionals
- Implementing infection control measures and quality improvement initiatives
- Participating in research and continuing education
Depending on their education level, experience, specialty, and certification, RNs may also perform more advanced tasks, such as:
- Prescribing medications and ordering diagnostic tests (in some states)
- Performing minor surgical procedures
- Providing anesthesia services
- Managing chronic diseases
- Coordinating care plans and case management
- Providing primary care services
- Teaching nursing courses
How Much Does a Registered Nurse Make in the US
According to different sources, the average salary for a registered nurse (RN) in the US is between $60,960 and $109,340 per year. or between $33.93 and $39.78 per hour. The salary can vary widely depending on several factors, such as:
- Education level: RNs can enter the profession with either an associate’s degree (ADN), a bachelor’s degree (BSN), or a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Generally, BSN-prepared nurses earn more than ADN-prepared nurses because they have more advanced skills and knowledge, more career opportunities, and higher chances of getting promoted or specialized.
- Experience level: As RNs gain more experience in the field, they tend to earn more because they have more expertise, confidence, and competence. They also have more bargaining power when negotiating their salaries or benefits with employers.
- Location: RNs earn different salaries depending on the state and city where they work. This is mainly due to the differences in the cost of living, the demand and supply of nurses, the economic conditions, and the regulations of each region. For example, California is the highest-paying state for nurses, with an average salary of $124,000, while Mississippi is the lowest-paying state for nurses
with an average salary of $59,750. Similarly, New York City is the highest-paying city for nurses, with an average salary of $67.62 per hour. while Miami is the lowest-paying city for nurses with an average salary of $38.89 per hour.
Specialty
RNs can choose to specialize in a specific area of nursing practice by obtaining additional education or certification. Some of the most common specialties include critical care, emergency room, operating room, oncology, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatric/mental health, public health/community health etc. Specialized nurses usually earn more than generalist nurses because they have more specialized skills and knowledge that are in high demand.
Certification
RNs can also enhance their credentials by obtaining voluntary certification from professional organizations or boards that validate their competence in a specific area of nursing practice. Some of the most common certifications include Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), Certified Nurse Manager (CNML), Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), etc. Certified nurses usually earn more than non-certified nurses because they have more credibility and recognition in the field.
Employer
RNs can work for different types of employers such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes/long-term care facilities home health agencies schools/universities government agencies military organizations private practices etc. Different employers may offer different salaries or benefits to RNs depending on their size, budget, reputation, policies, etc. For example, some of the top-paying employers for RNs in the US include Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Moffitt Cancer Center, Cross Country Nurses, and Cedars-Sinai.
Shift
RNs can work different shifts such as day shift, night shift, evening shift, weekend shift, etc. Different shifts may have different pay rates depending on the demand and availability of nurses, the difficulty and risk of the work, the preferences of the nurses, etc. For example, night shift nurses may earn more than day shift nurses because they work during less desirable hours and face more challenges and stress.
Overtime
RNs may work overtime hours when there is a shortage of staff, a surge of patients, an emergency situation, or a special project. Overtime hours are usually paid at a higher rate than regular hours, depending on the employer’s policy and the state’s law. For example, the average overtime pay for RNs in the US is $12,000 per year.
To give you a better idea of how much RNs earn in different states and cities in the US, we have compiled the following table based on the data from Indeed.com2. Please note that these numbers are only estimates and may not reflect the actual salaries or benefits of RNs in each location.
State | Average Hourly Salary | City | Average Hourly Salary |
---|---|---|---|
California | $67.78 | New York City, NY | $67.62 |
Hawaii | $59.80 | Dallas, TX | $59.77 |
Massachusetts | $57.67 | Brooklyn, NY | $52.86 |
Oregon | $57.51 | Philadelphia, PA | $52.28 |
Alaska | $56.96 | Phoenix, AZ | $51.90 |
Nevada | $56.11 | Pittsburgh, PA | $45.36 |
New York | $55.92 | Chicago, IL | $43.65 |
District of Columbia | $55.69 | Miami, FL | $38.89 |
Washington | $54.88 | Houston, TX | $36.58 |
Connecticut | $54.63 |
How Does a Registered Nurse Salary Compare to Other Healthcare Workers?
RNs are among the highest-paid healthcare workers in the US, earning more than most allied health professionals such as medical assistants ($17.23 per hour), phlebotomists ($18.16 per hour), radiologic technologists ($28.62 per hour), respiratory therapists ($30.05 per hour), physical therapists ($42.25 per hour), etc.
However, RNs earn less than some advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) such as nurse practitioners ($54.22 per hour), nurse anesthetists ($90.48 per hour), nurse midwives ($51.40 per hour), etc. They also earn less than some physicians and surgeons such as family medicine doctors ($101.74 per hour), pediatricians ($88.10 per hour), psychiatrists ($105.20 per hour), etc.
How Does a Registered Nurse Salary Compare to Other Countries?
RNs in the US earn more than RNs in most other countries in the world, according to a report by Medscape. The report compared the average annual salaries of RNs in 32 countries based on purchasing power parity (PPP), which is a measure of how much goods and services can be bought with a given amount of money in different countries.
According to the report, the top 10 countries with the highest-paid RNs are:
Country | Average Annual Salary (PPP) |
---|---|
US | $74,000 |
Luxembourg | $60,000 |
Norway | $51,000 |
Australia | $49,000 |
Canada | $44,000 |
Denmark | $43,000 |
Ireland | $43,000 |
UK | $40,000 |
Iceland | $38,000 |
Switzerland | $37,000 |
The bottom 10 countries with the lowest-paid RNs are:
Country | Average Annual Salary (PPP) |
---|---|
India | $3,000 |
Indonesia | $3,000 |
Philippines | $4,000 |
Vietnam | $4,000 |
China | $6,000 |
Thailand | $7,000 |
Brazil | $8,000 |
Mexico | $9,000 |
Poland | $10,000 |
Conclusion
Becoming a registered nurse can be a rewarding and lucrative career choice. RNs enjoy high salaries, job security, and career advancement opportunities. However, RNs also face many challenges, such as long hours, stressful situations, and demanding work environments. Therefore, RNs need to have strong skills, knowledge, and passion for their profession.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an RN, you should consider the following factors:
- Education level: You need to complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a license to practice as an RN. You can choose between an ADN, a BSN, or a diploma program. However, a BSN may offer more benefits in terms of salary, career options, and specialization.
- Experience level: You can increase your salary and skills by gaining more experience in the field. You can also seek mentorship and feedback from senior nurses and other healthcare professionals.
- Location: You can earn different salaries depending on the state and city where you work. You should research the cost of living, the demand and supply of nurses, the economic conditions, and the regulations of each region before choosing your workplace.
- Specialty: You can specialize in a specific area of nursing practice by obtaining additional education or certification. You should choose a specialty that matches your interests, skills, and goals.
- Certification: You can enhance your credentials by obtaining voluntary certification from professional organizations or boards. You should choose a certification that validates your competence in a specific area of nursing practice.
- Employer: You can work for different types of employers such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes/long-term care facilities home health agencies schools/universities government agencies military organizations private practices etc. You should choose an employer that offers competitive salaries and benefits, supportive work culture, and professional development opportunities.
- Shift: You can work different shifts such as day shift, night shift, evening shift, weekend shift, etc. You should choose a shift that suits your preferences, lifestyle, and health.
We hope this article has provided you with useful information on how much RNs make in the US and what factors affect their income. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Most Asked Questions and Answers About Registered Nurse Salary in US 2023
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about registered nurse salary in US 2023:
Q: How much do registered nurses make per hour?
A: According to Indeed.com. the average hourly salary for registered nurses in the US is $43.65 as of June 23, 2023. However, this number can vary depending on several factors such as education level, experience level, location, specialty, certification, employer, shift, and overtime.
Q: How much do registered nurses make per year?
A: According to NursingProcess.org the average annual salary for registered nurses in the US is $82,750 as 2022. However, this number can vary depending on several factors such as education level, experience level, location, specialty, certification, employer, shift, and overtime.
Q: What education and licensure is required to become a registered nurse?
A: In order to become a registered nurse, you need to complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a license to practice as an RN. You can choose between an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a diploma program. However, a BSN may offer more benefits in terms of salary, career options, and specialization. You also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to obtain your license.
Q: What are some of the highest-paying states for registered nurses?
A: Some of the highest-paying states for registered nurses in the US are California ($67.78 per hour), Hawaii ($59.80 per hour), Massachusetts ($57.67 per hour), Oregon ($57.51 per hour), and Alaska ($56.96 per hour).
Q: What are some of the highest-paying specialties for registered nurses?
A: Some of the highest-paying specialties for registered nurses in the US are nurse anesthetist ($90.48 per hour), nurse practitioner ($54.22 per hour), nurse midwife ($51.40 per hour), critical care nurse ($46.00 per hour), and emergency room nurse ($45.00 per hour).
Q: How can registered nurses increase their pay?
A: Registered nurses can increase their pay by pursuing higher education, obtaining certification, gaining more experience, specializing in a high-demand area, working in a high-paying location, working for a high-paying employer, working different shifts, and working overtime hours.
Q: How does a registered nurse salary compare to other healthcare workers?
A: Registered nurses earn more than most allied health professionals such as medical assistants ($17.23 per hour), phlebotomists ($18.16 per hour), radiologic technologists ($28.62 per hour), respiratory therapists ($30.05 per hour), physical therapists ($42.25 per hour), etc. However, registered nurses earn less than some advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) such as nurse practitioners ($54.22 per hour), nurse anesthetists ($90.48 per hour), nurse midwives ($51.40 per hour), etc. They also earn less than some physicians and surgeons such as family medicine doctors ($101.74 per hour), pediatricians ($88.10 per hour), psychiatrists ($105.20 per hour), etc.
Q: How does a registered nurse salary compare to other countries?
A: Registered nurses in the US earn more than registered nurses in most other countries in the world, according to a report by Medscape. The report compared the average annual salaries of RNs in 32 countries based on purchasing power parity (PPP), which is a measure of how much goods and services can be bought with a given amount of money in different countries.
Q: What are some of the common nursing interview questions and answers?
A: Some of the common nursing interview questions and answers are:
Do you work well with other nurses, doctors and staff?
Answer: Teamwork is a vital skill for anyone in the nursing field. It’s important to express that you recognize the value of working together with doctors, other nurses and staff members.
How would you handle a difficult patient?
Answer: As a nurse, it’s important to have compassion and patience. Your patients are often facing difficult situations that can sometimes affect their attitudes. When you encounter a difficult patient, take steps to reassure them.
What medical fields have you spent time working in before and which one did you enjoy the most?
Answer: There are all sorts of fields that RNs can work in, so it is helpful to ask this question and find registered nurses who have an interest in the areas that your facility specializes in.
How do you handle stress on the job?
Answer: Nursing can be a stressful profession, so it is important to have healthy coping strategies. Some examples of stress management techniques include taking breaks, exercising, meditating, talking to someone, etc.
Why did you choose to become a nurse?
Answer: This question helps you to understand the candidate’s motivation and passion for nursing. Some possible reasons include helping others, making a difference, having a fulfilling career, etc.
Q: What are some of the benefits of being a registered nurse?
A: Some of the benefits of being a registered nurse are:
- High salary: Registered nurses earn above-average salaries that can provide financial stability and security.
- Job security: Registered nurses are in high demand and have low unemployment rates. They can also find jobs in various settings and locations.
- Career advancement: Registered nurses can pursue higher education, certification, specialization, and leadership opportunities to advance their careers and increase their income.
- Personal satisfaction: Registered nurses can make a positive impact on the lives of their patients and their families. They can also enjoy the recognition and respect of their peers and society.
Thank you.