If you’re thinking about going into nursing, good news—they’re needed now more than ever. The total supply of RNs dropped by more than 100,000 from 2020 to 2021, the largest decrease observed in the past four decades. And with an aging population, lack of young nurses entering the profession, and the burnout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for nurses in 2024 is sky-high.
In light of those trends, nursing salaries have continued to increase. The 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report from Nurse.com puts the current median salary for registered nurses at $80,000, $2,000 higher than the 2022 report. LPNs and LVNs are now getting paid 21% more, with their median salary sitting at $58,000. And although the median salary for APRNs has decreased by about 2% since 2022, it still sits comfortably at $117,300.
However, compensation for nurses isn’t only dependent on license type—there are a wide variety of factors that affect how much nurses get paid. Discover more trends and insights for 2024 nursing salaries below.
Nursing salary by education level
One of the biggest determining factors for compensation in any field is education. This is especially true in nursing. Nurses’ education levels can range from high school diploma to doctorate degree, depending on their chosen field and credentials. In the nursing field, pay is highly dependent on the highest level of education or training completed.
In terms of median salary, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees lead the way at $128,500 per year. Nursing and high school diplomas make a median of $58,000, associate degrees earn $72,000, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees make $80,000, and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees earn a median salary of $100,000.
How much nurses earn by US region
The Nurse.com report breaks the continental US down into four regions: Northeast, Midwest, West, and South. The West region leads the way in median RN salary at $90,000 per year. However, the Northeast boasts the highest median salary for all license types at $85,000. The Midwest and South are tied for the lowest median salary for all nursing licenses at $70,000 per year.
The clear takeaway from this data is that nursing salaries are correlated with cost of living. Higher prices on the coast may be related to the higher pay that nurses receive in the Northeast and West regions. While Midwest and South nurses get paid less on average, they may recoup some of that lost income from lower living expenses.
The cost-income relationship is why it’s important to research the location of a travel assignment before signing on. Prolink’s dedicated team of recruiters can help you maximize your earning potential by finding you low-cost-of-living, high-income jobs you qualify for. Connect with a recruiter today to get started.
Is there a gender pay gap in nursing?
Unfortunately, the gender pay gap persists even in the female-dominated nursing profession. According to the 2021 Census, the ratio of female to male nurses nationally is 6.3 to 1. Male nurses earn a higher median salary across the board, and APRNs have the highest gender pay gap at nearly $15,000 per year. Male RNs outearn female RNs by $6,000 per year on average.
For hourly earners, the gap is a bit smaller, with male RNs only outearning female RNs by $1 an hour. Male and female LPN/LVNs have the same median hourly wage. Nonbinary nurses were also represented in the sample: the six nonbinary RNs surveyed earned a median salary of $78,000.
Median salary by nursing position
Perhaps the biggest determining factor for a nurse’s salary is their job title. The Nurse.com report broke down respondents’ titles into 13 categories ranging from staff nurse to supervisor to executive. Unsurprisingly, the executive category leads the way with a median salary of $123,000. Directors and advanced practice nurses aren’t too far behind at $100,000 per year.
Bringing up the bottom end of the pay spectrum are school nurses and staff nurses at $56,000 and $72,500 per year, respectively. The full list of median nursing salaries by job title is below. All salary numbers represent median salary per year.
- School nurse: $56,000
- Staff nurse: $72,500
- Charge nurse: $78,000
- Case manager: $80,500
- Educator/staff development: $81,500
- Assistant manager: $82,000
- Clinical specialist: $85,000
- Clinician: $87,000
- Supervisor: $88,608
- Manager: $99,000
- Advanced practice nurse: $100,000
- Director: $100,000
- Executive: $123,000
Find your next nursing job with Prolink
Whether you’re looking for a 10-week assignment or a permanent role for your next 10 years, Prolink can help you find the nursing job that suits your needs, skills, and lifestyle. Click below to start your job search or connect with a recruiter today to get started.
