How Much Do You Make As a Flight Nurse?

FlyingScot, RN · Sep 9, 2008

Pretty much varies from place to place but here in Ohio I am making almost twice as much working in a clinic than I did as a flight nurse (just quit at the end of July) and I don't have to worry about crashing!

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2008

Mid 70's.

Fly in a resource spot 8 - 10 24-hr shifts a month.

The long drive to some of my bases (over 200 miles each way)

Maybe making changes soon. That crash thing is getting to me.

Good Luck.

Money is not a good motivator - you have to look at the big picture. It is getting tough to see the upside.

Practice Safe!

Rio, ASN, RN · Sep 9, 2008

Here is a provider in your area:

https://lifeteam.net/

Call the Medical Base Supervisor and ask how much is the starting rate. Looks like there are quite a few openings.

K98 · Sep 13, 2008

Not making even close to enough.

BigIsleBound · Jun 25, 2009

I'm so glad to see a thread in which someone asks about the rate of pay without being chided, scolded or reamed. The whole "nursing is something you do to be the next Mother Theresa, how can you even THINK about money" line is so tired. Kudos to those of you who just answered the question the best you could.

in2bate71, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

Less than half of what I make working per diem in the ED, and I work for one of the better paying services in my area.

FST6 · Dec 27, 2009

I took around an $8.00 per hour pay cut from my previous ICU job to become a flight nurse. Not so great. Since my wife is also a nurse, I can handle the pay cut. The upside for me is only having to work 8 24-hr shifts per month. I also like the autonomy and experiences of being a flight nurse. If you are looking into this career path, understand that most markets will pay less than hospital jobs. For the all-to-real hazard of plummeting from the sky to an untimely death, the pay is kind of lousy. All I can say is you come to this job because you want to do it, not because it will make you rich. What more can I say?

rghbsn, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2009

I make the same base pay as I did as an ICU nurse. And I get more overtime. I actually make more flying, but it's not because of flying. Just the OT.

GilaRRT · Dec 28, 2009

I make significantly less as a flight nurse with over three years of experience than I did as a new grad ER nurse eight years ago.

razorman · Mar 8, 2010

I'm in Northern California and do fairly well as a Flight Nurse. We get paid $500 per 24-hour shift. Some days we're busy, some days we're not. We also provide a $50/shift bonus if you're simultaneously working at an ER because it shows your interest in keeping some skills frosty. So, potentially, $550/shift.

The bad part is my program doesn't offer much in the way of health benefits or retirement, so a part of our salary has to be dedicated to providing our own benefits.

We work hard for our money, but I haven't been below 100k/yr since I started working where I am.

FlyingScot, RN · Mar 9, 2010

razorman said:
I'm in Northern California and do fairly well as a Flight Nurse. We get paid $500 per 24-hour shift. Some days we're busy, some days we're not. We also provide a $50/shift bonus if you're simultaneously working at an ER because it shows your interest in keeping some skills frosty. So, potentially, $550/shift.
The bad part is my program doesn't offer much in the way of health benefits or retirement, so a part of our salary has to be dedicated to providing our own benefits.
We work hard for our money, but I haven't been below 100k/yr since I started working where I am.

So if my math is correct that works out to $20.83 per hour with no benefits. 100K at the rate means you must work 92 hours per week (roughly 3 24 hour shifts). Glad you're happy with that. In my neck of the woods, that's less pay than a new grad makes but if it works for you that's cool. Of course, my math may be waaaaay off.