How Much Do RNs Make on Average?
RN (registered nurse) salaries vary depending on a variety of factors, including place and type of employment and geographical location. Because there are different ways to earn a degree as a nurse, potential students should also consider their educational options before starting a degree program in this field.
Experience
Recent RN graduates will more than likely land an entry-level position, often as part of a team or under the guidance of an experienced nurse. During the first five years of practice, when those conditions are commonplace, salaries average about $60,483. Those who stay in the same position can expect a noticeable salary increase after year six, when salaries often reach $65,459. After a few years of experience, however, it is more likely that nurses will earn promotions or move to senior-level administrative positions, where salaries start at an average of $67,449.
Types
Salary ranges in nursing vary significantly depending on the type of degree obtained: Bachelor (four years), Associate (two years) or Diploma (2-3 years). Because Diploma programs can only be obtained through teaching hospitals, many students start working even before graduation. RNs with a bachelor's degree can expect higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement (average salaries are $57,280 and up), while those with an associate's degree often work in entry-level positions and it may take them longer to reach the higher end of the pay scale (average salaries are $40,250).
Considerations
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the hourly rate for a RN is around $24. While most nurses get paid fixed salaries when working in hospitals or clinics, some settings (like schools and non-profit) sometimes work with hourly rates. These rates go up or down depending on location, experience or additional education. For example, RNs working in geriatric units earn an average of $22.79 per hour, while those working in operating rooms average $26.46.
Geography
RNs' earnings vary considerably from one state to the next, depending mainly on how in demand the profession is in that specific area. Some of the highest salaries are in Southern States, which seem to have less RNs due to the influx of recent graduates to the big cities in New York or California. In Georgia, for example, the average salary for an RN is $75,000, while a professional with the same educational background and experience will earn $62,701 in New York. One of the lowest median salaries for RNs is in Ohio, where nurses earn an average of $58,455 a year.
Settings
Most RNs work in a hospital setting, although salaries also vary depending on whether this is a private clinic ($63,516) or a state hospital ($64,037). Those working in the educational or non-profit sectors can expect to earn on the lower end of the pay scale (as low as $35,972 in elementary schools or $52,925 in colleges or universities). Self-employed RNs usually earn on the higher end of the pay scale and just below hospital nurses, averaging $60,500 per year.
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