How much do nurses make?

How much do nurses make? The data from almost 17,000 nurses will help to answer that question and more. What specialties pay the highest? Where should I move to make the highest income? Review the interactive images below to find the answers to these questions and more...

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How much do nurses make?

Part 1 of the 2018 allnurses Salary Survey Results contains the demographics of the more than 16,800 nurse participants. In Part 2, we looked at the staffing conditions and nurse-patient ratios of the workplaces of the participants compared to some recommended nurse-patient ratios by clinical area. Part 3 addressed data that will have an effect on the nursing shortage by looking at when and why nurses are leaving the workforce.

While all of the above-mentioned data is definitely of interest, most people are even more interested in finding out just how much nurses are making. The salary figures found in the interactive images below are based on data received from almost 17,000 respondents who were asked to submit salaries as reported to the IRS. They do not take into consideration cost of living indexes, which can greatly affect the value of the salaries including the resulting purchasing power. In a future article, we will provide adjusted salaries that do account for the cost of living, taxes, etc. I think you will find those figures very interesting.

Below are the results, provided in interactive charts that will allow you to customize your search. Several filters (State, Degree, License, Gender, Years of Experience, Specialty, Age) have been added. Be sure to click on the filters as they will affect the range of figures shown.

You can use the filters to dig deeper into the data to see why some figures are higher or lower than expected. For example, just looking at the chart for Average Annual Pay by Degree for Full Time Employees, you will see that the average salary for Diploma Degree nurses is higher than ADN/ASN and BSN nurses. If you change the filters for a more customized view to the following - Highest Nursing Degree (Diploma) and Active Nursing License (RN), you will see that 75% of Diploma Nurses have more than 21 years of experience with 41% having over 35 years of experience. 66% of these nurses are over 50 years old. Way to go Diploma nurses!! These nurses deserve all of our respect.

You can also see what specialties pay the highest salaries, which states pay the highest and lowest salaries, and more. But remember, these figures do not take into account the cost of living expenses which must be factored in. We will explore those figures in Part 5 of the Survey Results.

Play around with the filters. After you review the results, please feel free to post your questions and comments below. Let us know what trends and other interesting facts you uncover. We can all learn from input from others.

I almost forgot... Be sure to look at the map. As you hover over the states and Canadian Provinces, you will see the average annual full time salary for hourly and salaried employees.

To see additional Salary Survey Results, go to:

2018 Nursing Salary Survey Results Part 1 - Demographics

Safe Staffing: How Does Your Workplace Stack Up? 2018 Salary Survey Results Part 2

When and Why Nurses are Leaving the Workforce - 2018 Salary Survey Results Part 3

Purchasing Power of Nurses Across the U.S. - 2018 Salary Survey Results Part 5

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tnbutterfly - Mary

About tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN

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Thanks for all the work you do!

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I need to find me a new job; my annual based salary is on the lower end. Thanks for this information.

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This is great, thank you!

This all fascinates me. I'm nerding out! LOL

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
I need to find me a new job; my annual based salary is on the lower end. Thanks for this information.

These interactive charts provide lots of information that is helpful for those seeking a new job. Remember, salary alone does not tell the entire story. This week, I will be providing additional information that will help you "job comparison shop", esp if you are looking in more than one state.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
This is great, thank you!

This all fascinates me. I'm nerding out! LOL

I'm glad you are enjoying this. It is fun to dig down into the data and discover new things, especially those which are surprising.

Be sure to post about some of your interesting findings.

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Specializes in Practice educator.

Man, you Yanks get paid a lot better than us Brits.

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Man, you Yanks get paid a lot better than us Brits.

it all balances out. I would see people commenting "oh I need to move to XYZ to make the same amount of income" in past year's threads, but the cost of living would just even out any pay raise. I mean unless you won the lottery or acquired new wealth then that's a whole different story.

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Specializes in Practice educator.
it all balances out. I would see people commenting "oh I need to move to XYZ to make the same amount of income" in past year's threads, but the cost of living would just even out any pay raise. I mean unless you won the lottery or acquired new wealth then that's a whole different story.

True, plus we have a far less litigious health service, although I don't think its as pervasive as some would have you believe.

I'd love to go back to Hawaii though, had some great times in that place, not uprooting my family though.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

I'd love to go back to Hawaii though, had some great times in that place, not uprooting my family though.

From the stats in these charts, you can see that Hawaii has the highest average RN (Diploma, ADN/ASN, BSN) salary at $105,750. But when you factor in taxes, cost of living, and location, the adjusted income (purchasing power) drops to $57,980. Yes Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit, however it's certainly NOT inexpensive.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU.

I find it interesting that even in a female dominated field as nursing, men still make more than women. Check out the salaries on the higher end....wow!

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I have met several male RNs that can easily fetch somewhere between 200-250K and even up to 300 K and these are mostly overtime or working 2 jobs. However, most of the ones I met are married with 2-3 kids and their spouses are stay at home moms.

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