Registered nurses average salary in the United States
The average salary for a registered nurse in the United States is around $75,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and type of employer.
Other factors that can affect a registered nurse's salary include their level of education, specialty, and whether they work in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Additionally, nurses who hold advanced certifications or degrees may earn higher salaries than those who do not. Salaries also tend to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas and in states with a higher cost of living.
There are also different types of registered nurses, such as:
• Staff nurses: These are the most common type of RNs and work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. They typically have the most direct patient care responsibilities and earn an average salary of around $70,000 to $80,000 per year.
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs): These are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed graduate-level education and can provide primary and specialty healthcare services. NPs typically earn higher salaries than staff nurses and can make around $100,000 to $120,000 per year.
• Travel nurses: These RNs travel to different healthcare facilities to fill temporary staffing shortages. They often earn higher salaries than staff nurses due to their flexibility and can make around $80,000 to $100,000 per year.
• RNs in management or administrative positions: RNs who work in management or administrative roles, such as charge nurses or nursing supervisors, generally earn higher salaries than staff nurses, it can range from $85,000 to $120,000 per year.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other types of RNs and healthcare settings in which they can work, each with its own unique salary range.
Can a registered nurse earn more?
Yes, a registered nurse can earn more than the average salary. There are several ways that RN can increase their earning potential, such as:
• Continuing education and obtaining advanced degrees: RNs who pursue higher levels of education, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), may be able to earn higher salaries than RNs who only have an associate degree. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for masters-educated nurses is $123,780 per year or $59.51 per hour.
• Specializing in a particular area of nursing: RNs who specialize in a specific area of nursing, such as critical care or emergency nursing, may be able to earn higher salaries than RNs who work in general healthcare settings.
• Seeking employment in high-paying industries or locations: RNs who work in certain industries, such as pharmaceuticals or medical equipment sales, or in certain locations, such as California or New York, may be able to earn higher salaries than RNs who work elsewhere.
• Experience, RNs with more years of experience tend to earn higher salaries than new RNs.
Earning more money is not the only benefit of advancing in education or specializations, it also helps in career development, job satisfaction and the ability to provide better care to patients.
Where can a registered nurse earn more?
A registered nurse can earn more by working in certain locations or industries. Some examples of high-paying industries or locations for RNs include:
Hospitals in major metropolitan areas: RNs who work in large hospitals located in major metropolitan areas, such as New York City or Los Angeles, may earn higher salaries than RNs who work in smaller hospitals or in rural areas.
• Specialty hospitals: RNs who work in specialty hospitals, such as pediatric or burn centers, may earn higher salaries than RNs who work in general hospitals.
• Travel nursing: RNs who work as travel nurses can earn higher salaries than staff nurses because they are able to fill temporary staffing shortages in different healthcare facilities.
• Industry jobs: Some examples of industry jobs that can pay more than traditional healthcare settings are, RNs working in pharmaceutical companies, Medical device companies, clinical research, telehealth, health insurance, etc.
• Government jobs: RNs working in government jobs, such as veterans' hospitals or public health clinics, may earn higher salaries than RNs working in private healthcare settings.
Earning more money is not the only factor to consider when looking for a job, other factors like work-life balance, benefits, location, and job satisfaction should also be taken into account.