average salary phd nursing

PhD Education

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There is no doubt that education is the path for a nurse to achieve greater clinical expertise. At the same time, however, the nursing profession needs more nurses educated at the doctoral level to replenish the supply of faculty and researchers. The national shortage of faculty will soon reach critical proportions, having a significant impact on educational programs and their capacity to educate future generations of nursing students.

Although the number of doctorate programs has continued to increase, the total enrollment of students in these programs has remained fairly constant, resulting in a shortage of newly minted PhDs to renew faculty ranks.  As a result, approximately 50% of nursing faculty possess the doctorate as a terminal degree. Furthermore, with many advances being made in the treatment of chronic illnesses, there is a continuing need for research that assists patients in living with their illness.  This research requires individual investigators who are prepared on the doctoral level.

One reason there is a lack of nurses prepared at the doctoral level is that, compared with other professions, nurses have more interruptions in their careers. Many in the profession are females who work as nurses while fulfilling responsibilities as wives and mothers.  As a result, many pursue their education on a part-time basis. Also, the nursing profession traditionally has viewed clinical experience as being a prerequisite to graduate education. This career path results in fewer individuals completing the doctorate at an earlier stage in their career, thereby truncating their productivity as academics, researchers, and administrators. To reverse this trend, many nursing schools have developed programs that admit students into graduate (doctorate and master's) programs directly from their undergraduate or master's programs.

Nursing Research

When nurses do research for their doctorates, many people tend to think that it focuses primarily on nurses and nursing care. In reality, nurses carry out clinical research in a variety of areas, such as diabetes care, cancer care, and eating disorders. 

In the last thirty years, advances in medicine have involved, for the most part, advancing treatment not cures. In other words, no cure for the illness has been discovered, but treatment for that illness has improved. However, sometimes the treatment itself causes problems for patients, such as the unwelcome side effects of chemotherapy. Nurses have opportunities to devise solutions to problems like these through research, such as studies on how to manage the illness and its treatment, thereby allowing individuals to lead happy and productive lives.

The Curricula

Doctoral programs in nursing are aimed at preparing students for careers in health administration, education, clinical research, and advanced clinical practice. Basically, doctoral programs prepare nurses to be experts within the profession, prepared to assume leadership roles in a variety of academic and clinical settings, course work and research, students are trained as researchers and scholars to tackle complex health-care questions. Program emphasis may vary from a focus on health education to a concentration on policy research. The majority of doctoral programs confer the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but some award the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS), and the Doctor of Education (EdD).

Doctoral nursing programs traditionally offer courses on the history and philosophy of nursing and the development and testing of nursing and other healthcare techniques, as well as the social, economic, political, and ethical issues important to the field. Data management and research methodology are also areas of instruction. Students are expected to work individually on research projects and complete a dissertation.

Doctoral programs allow study on a full- or part-time basis. For graduate students who are employed and therefore seek flexibility in their schedules, many programs offer courses on weekends and in the evenings.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for doctoral programs vary. Generally, a master's degree is necessary, but in some schools a master's degree is completed in conjunction with fulfillment of the doctoral degree requirements. Standard requirements include an RN license, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an essay. Students applying for doctoral-level study should have a solid foundation in nursing and an interest in research. Programs are usually the equivalent of three to five years of full-time study.

Selecting a Doctoral Program

Selecting a doctoral program comes down to personal choice. Students work closely with professors, and, thus, the support and mentoring you receive while pursuing your degree is as vital as the quality of the facilities. The most important question is whether there is a "match" between your research interest and faculty research. Many of the same questions you would ask about baccalaureate and master's degree programs apply to doctoral programs. However, in a doctoral program, the contact with professors, the use of research equipment and facilities, and the program's flexibility in allowing you to choose your course of study are critical.

Some questions to consider asking include: Are there opportunities to present research findings at professional meetings? Is scholarship of faculty, alumni, and students presented at regional and national nursing meetings and subsequently published? Has the body of research done at a university enhanced the knowledge of nursing and health care?

Other questions to consider include: Does the university consider research a priority? Does the university have adequate funding for student research? Many nurses with doctorate degrees make the natural transition into an academic career, but there are many other career options available for nurses prepared at this level. For example, nurses prepared at the doctoral level are often hired by large consulting firms to work with others in designing solutions to health-care delivery problems. Others are hired by large hospital chains to manage various divisions, and some nurses with doctorate degrees are hired to manage complex healthcare systems at the executive level. On another front, they conduct research and formulate national and international healthcare policy. In short, because of the high level of education and a shortage of nurses prepared at this level, there are a number of options.

Salaries are related to the various positions.  Faculty salaries vary by the type of institution and by faculty rank, typically ranging from approximately $80,000 at the assistant professor level to over $115,000 at the professor level.  Salaries of nurse executives also vary, with the lowest salaries being in small rural hospitals and the highest being in complex university medical centers. Consultant salaries are wide ranging but often consist of a base plus some percentage of work contracted. Clinical and research positions vary considerably by the type of institution and the nature of the work.  Needless to say, a doctoral education does provide individuals with a wide range of opportunities, with salaries commensurate with the type and level of responsibilities. 

Home / Getting Your Ph.D. in Nursing

Getting Your Ph.D. in Nursing

Becoming a ph.d. nurse, what does a ph.d. nurse do, ph.d. nurse salary & employment, ph.d. vs. dnp in nursing, helpful organizations, societies, and agencies, what is a ph.d. nurse.

A Ph.D. nurse is one who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree. A Ph.D., or doctoral degree, is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. Different from a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which focuses on advanced clinical practice, a Ph.D. in Nursing program is a research and science-focused degree that prepares nurses for careers conducting important medical research that will advance the entire nursing profession and for teaching nursing at the college level.

In order to become a Ph.D. nurse, of course, nurses must complete a Ph.D. in nursing program, which generally takes 4 to 6 years to finish. An aspiring Ph.D. nurse must have a strong interest in conducting medical research and/or teaching future nurses. Strong leadership skills are also important, as many Ph.D. nurses go on to supervise and mentor other nurses, whether they work in scientific research, management, or teaching capacity.

What Are the Educational Requirements For a Ph.D. Nurse Program?

A Ph.D. in Nursing program is known as a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest level of education for the nursing profession (in addition to the DNP degree, another separate nursing doctorate program track). Prior to entering a Ph.D. program, nurses must complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. In some cases, applicants to a Ph.D. in Nursing program must also complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which provides advanced education in nursing practice with courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical practice.

Educational Prerequisites

Specific requirements to complete a Ph.D. in Nursing program will vary slightly from school to school. Schools offer Ph.D. in Nursing programs in traditional classroom formats, as well as online and hybrid styles that combine in-person study with online coursework. In addition to a variety of formats for Ph.D. in Nursing programs, students can also sometimes opt to take these programs on a full-time or part-time basis to suit their personal schedules.

The curriculum for a Ph.D. in Nursing program is research-focused, with coursework in advanced scientific research principles, data analysis, and statistical measurement. Ph.D. programs generally culminate in a dissertation and original research project. As an example of Ph.D. curriculum, below is a selection of courses offered by the Medical University of South Carolina as part of their online Ph.D. in Nursing Science program:

• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Advanced Statistical Methods for Nursing Research
• Advanced Study Design and Methods
• Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy
• Research Team Leadership

A Ph.D. nurse conducts scientific research that advances the nursing profession. The knowledge that Ph.D. nurses gather and present as a part of their scientific research powers positive change in the quality of patient care and outcomes in the entire nursing field. In addition to their role as nurse scientists, Ph.D. nurses also teach and mentor nurses at the college/university level, working to shape the next generation of nurses.

What Are the Roles and Duties of a Ph.D. Nurse?

The majority of Ph.D. nurses pursue careers in either the research or teaching fields, so their day-to-day duties will vary depending on which career track they have chosen.

For a nurse researcher , typical duties may include:

• Identify research questions, and design and conduct scientific research in partnership with other scientists from various fields
• Collect and analyze scientific data and publish reports detailing findings
• Write proposals and apply for grants to help fund their research
• Establish and maintain quality assurance programs to ensure the validity of their data findings
• Train and supervise laboratory staff and other nurses or scientists

For a Ph.D.  nurse educator who has chosen to pursue a faculty position, typical duties may include:

• Plan, prepare, and revise curriculum and study materials for nursing courses
• Deliver lectures to undergraduate and graduate level nursing students
• Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work
• Grade students' classwork, laboratory, and clinical performance
• Mentor and advise students regarding their future work in the nursing industry

For faculty members who pursue department chair or administration roles, additional duties may include:

• Hire, supervise and conduct performance reviews of faculty members
• Assist with the scheduling of classes and professors
• Oversee department curriculum and provide quality control as to the content and materials of given nursing courses

Workplace Settings

A Ph.D. nurse can work in a variety of settings, depending on the career path he or she has chosen. A Ph.D. nurse may find employment at a hospital, medical laboratory, research facility, or university as a research scientist, or may work at a nursing school, college, or university as a faculty member or department chair. In some cases, a Ph.D. nurse may also work as a public health nurse in a government setting, helping to develop research-based solutions to public health issues.

Salaries for Ph.D. nurses vary based on the type of employment a nurse seeks after graduation. Nurse researchers, a primary career path for Ph.D. nurses, can expect a median salary of $90,000 according to Payscale.com. For Ph.D. nurses who pursue a teaching position, the median annual wage for post-secondary nursing instructors is $77,440 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2021. Geographical location, career length, and experience level are all factors that can influence a Ph.D. nurse's annual salary.

The nursing profession as a whole has a particularly bright employment outlook, with the employment of registered nurses projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030 according to the BLS. In addition, a large number of healthcare facilities are looking for nursing professionals with higher degrees, which means the demand for Ph.D. and DNP level nurses will continue to grow. In fact, the Institute of Medicine 's 2015 "The Future of Nursing Report" emphasized the need for more Ph.D. level nurses.

As there are two doctorate-level nursing program types to choose from, there may be some confusion as to the differences between a Ph.D. nursing program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The primary difference between the two programs relates to nurses' career aspirations. A DNP program trains nurses to perform the highest level of nursing practice and to translate research into high-quality patient care, while a Ph.D. program prepares nurses to conduct cutting-edge research that will advance the science of nursing and patient care. In addition to research positions, a Ph.D. program prepares nurses for leadership and teaching positions at hospitals and colleges/universities. To simplify, a DNP is a nursing practice doctorate degree, while a Ph.D. is a research and teaching doctorate.

Other key differences between DNP and Ph.D. programs are curriculum and program length. A typical DNP program includes courses on advanced nursing practice, leadership, and management topics and requires patient care clinical hours as well as a final capstone project. A Ph.D. program includes coursework on research methodologies, data analysis, and healthcare leadership and policy, and requires students to complete original research and a dissertation. In general, a Ph.D. program takes longer to complete than a DNP program, with Ph.D. programs taking an average of 4 to 6 years to complete and a DNP program taking 3 to 4 years, but can be completed in as little as 2 years depending on the school and program chosen.

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• American Nurses Association
• International Association of Clinical Research Nurses
• National Institute of Nursing Research

Doctoral Nursing Career Paths

You put a lot of work into earning a doctorate in nursing, and you want to make sure your hard work pays off. Earning an in-person or online doctoral nursing degree may prepare you for a wide variety of specialized career options. On the first half of this page, you can learn more about career paths for PhD nursing graduates. The second half of the page handles Doctor of Nursing career paths.

Looking for specific information? Find page navigation links to the right. If you’re interested in doctoral nursing programs , search for schools near you in the search box. Contact our featured schools below to get more information.

PhD in Nursing Career Options

After spending several years on the floor as a nurse, it’s time to find the right career path for you. But what can you do with a PhD in nursing? Earning your PhD should have provided you with plenty of experience in the areas of research, leadership, education and healthcare policy. Most available career paths fall into one of these areas of study.

Many PhD graduates hope to go into medical research. With your experience and training, you may be able to guide research in several areas. Nurse researchers often look at nursing protocols, policies, patient care standards and evidence-based practices. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that job openings for medical scientists may swell 13% between 2016 and 2026 (2017). Most nurse researchers and medical professionals with PhD degrees work in research laboratories, post-secondary institutions or hospitals.

Nurse educators are essential to the growth of this field . Many nursing schools have to turn students away each year, due to a lack of nursing instructors ( National League for Nursing , 2017). You could teach undergraduate courses, graduate courses or both. Job growth is extremely high in this field. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for nursing educators could jump 24% between 2016 and 2026 (2017). You may teach at two-year community colleges, public four-year institutions or private four-year institutions.

If you’re a natural leader and you’d like to inspire other nurses, you may be a good fit for a nurse leadership position. Medical and health services managers work in several settings. Most employed health services managers work in hospitals, physician offices and residential care facilities. The job outlook for medical managers is positive . Overall, look for an expected 20% increase in job openings by 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). In this role, you may supervise other nurses and create policies.

PhD in Nursing Salary

With your doctorate in nursing, jobs may offer you higher income levels. The expertise you bring to this field with a PhD may be well-rewarded by employers. Across all work settings, medical scientists earn an average of $80,530 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). The average salary for nursing educators is $69,130 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Bureau of Labor Statistics data reports an average salary of $96,540 per year for medical managers (2017).

Doctor of Nursing Practice Career

With a clinically focused doctoral nursing curriculum , you may pursue a range of Doctor of Nursing Practice jobs. Some of these jobs overlap with PhD jobs. For example, DNP graduates can often go into medical management or nurse leadership positions. However, this degree also helps students broaden their clinical expertise and job options. The most common DNP career is that of nurse practitioner, which you can learn more about here .

A popular choice for doctoral graduates is nurse anesthesia. This requires specialized training, so you must study nurse anesthesia at the doctoral level to become certified and follow this career path. From 2016 through 2026,  job openings for nurse anesthetists may increase 16%  across the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Professionals in this role often work in hospitals, providing pain relief and sedation services during routine and emergency surgeries.

Nurse practitioners work in many specialties , including pediatric, adult, psychiatric and gerontological care. With the growing demand for primary care providers, demand for nurse practitioners is extremely high. Job openings could jump 36% by 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).

Those who specialize in nurse midwifery work exclusively with women, primarily during the childbearing years. You may provide well-woman care, as well as pregnancy and labor care. Job growth for nurse midwives is climbing steadily and is expected to reach 21% between 2016 and 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).

Doctor of Nursing Practice Salary

While drive and passion may drive your career choice, salary potential is also a deciding factor. To answer the question “How much does a DNP make a year?” you have to compare different career paths open to DNP graduates. Nurse anesthetists report the highest salaries at this level, bringing in an average income of $160,270 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). The average salary for a nurse practitioner hits the six-digits level, coming in at $100,910 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Nurse midwives earn an average of $99,770 per year across the United States (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).

Doctoral Degrees

Top Careers for RNs with a Doctorate in Nursing

Home » PhD and DNP Degrees » Top Careers for RNs with a Doctorate in Nursing

Nursing is a calling for most RNs , and many want to continue their education to further their careers and take an even greater leadership role in the field. A doctorate in nursing is the terminal degree for nurses who want to expand their current roles, move into management and leadership positions, conduct clinical research or pursue employment in higher education.

A number of career possibilities exist for nurses with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Here are some of the top jobs that are available for nurses with a doctorate in nursing.

Nurse faculty

A career in nursing education is a great option for nurses who want to prepare future nurses and are interested in nursing research. The shortage of qualified nursing faculty has been well documented by nursing organizations and in professional research.

A survey released by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in October 2018 found a total of 1,715 vacant faculty positions at 872 nursing schools, with a national vacancy rate of 7.9%. More than 90% of those vacancies were for faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree, the survey found.

A PhD in Nursing is a research-focused degree and is generally the most common doctoral degree for nurse faculty, although some nurse educators hold a DNP in nursing. The average salary for nursing instructors and teachers in higher education was $81,300 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while those on the higher end of the pay scale can make $130,000 or more.

While salaries for nurse educators may not go as high as some occupations with advanced nursing degrees, faculty members typically work shorter hours and may face less stress than most practicing nurses.

Nurse anesthetist

One of the more lucrative career options for advanced practice registered nurses with a doctoral degree is that of nurse anesthetist. Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) administer anesthesia to patients for surgical and other medical procedures and are the sole anesthesia providers in nearly all rural hospitals, according to the AACN.

The average annual salary for nurse anesthetists was nearly $175,000 in 2018. In several states, such as Montana, California, Iowa, Oregon and Wisconsin, average annual wages for CRNAs top $200,000, according to BLS.

The most common doctoral degrees for nurse anesthetists are the DNP or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). By 2025, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs , which accredits nurse anesthesia programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, will require all new CRNAs to have doctoral degrees.

Nurse practitioner

A doctorate in nursing also is very valuable to those who are looking to become nurse practitioners . NPs are “clinicians who assess, diagnose and treat acute chronic illnesses, as well as counsel, coordinate care and educate patients regarding their illnesses,” according to the website of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners .

NPs work in a variety of settings , including private practice, hospital outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital units, emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Working as a nurse practitioner comes with many benefits. NPs have greater authority in diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing medications, and many states now allow nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician oversight.

Nurse practitioners also make significantly higher salaries than other nurses, with average annual earnings of about $110,000. While a doctorate in nursing is not required to become a nurse practitioner, the AACN supports moving the standard preparation level for advanced nursing practice from a master’s to a doctoral degree. A growing number of students that are considering careers as NPs are enrolling in DNP programs.

Nurse leader

Nurses who want to move into top management and leadership roles in hospitals, nursing homes and other health systems can benefit from a doctorate in nursing.

Some of those positions include CNO, chief nurse executive, director of nursing, nursing administrator, nurse manager and health system president or CEO. A 2019 survey of nurse leaders conducted by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership found that most nursing leaders’ annual salaries ranged from $90,000 to $169,000, with those at the top end of the pay scale earning more than $250,000 a year.

While a doctorate in nursing may not be required for all of these positions, it can certainly help improve a nurse’s chances of moving into leadership or management roles.

Nurse scientist/researcher

Nurse scientists or nurse researchers are dedicated to the study of nursing research. They conduct scientific studies, collect data and present their findings, often partnering with researchers from other fields, such as medicine, pharmacy and nutrition to address complex healthcare questions or problems, according to an article .

While nurse researchers often work as faculty at colleges and universities, they also can work at hospitals, research laboratories or other healthcare facilities. Many of these jobs require a PhD in Nursing or DNP degree. The average salary for a nurse scientist is about $95,000.

Nurse informatics

For nurses with an interest in information technology and analytics, a career in nurse informatics may be a good option. Nursing informatics is “a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge and wisdom in nursing practice,” according to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society .

A doctorate in nursing is not required for all nurse informatics roles, but it could be beneficial when applying for higher-level positions such as chief nurse informatics officer. Salaries vary for nursing informatics roles depending upon skill level and geographic area, but the average salary for a chief nursing informatics officer is $109,072, with those in some areas of the country making upward of $200,000.

While these are some of the potential roles for nurses with doctoral degrees, many other career options are available. Some of the other roles that can benefit from an advanced nursing degree include clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and public health and public policy nurses.

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Outlook for PhD in Nursing Salary

Research has shown that less than 1% of all nurses in this country hold a doctorate degree, whether that is a Ph.D. or the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). However, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released The Future of Nursing Report, together with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in which they have set the goal of having twice as many doctoral nurses in the workforce by 2020. To achieve this, they are pushing to have 10% of all newly qualified bachelor’s degree (BSN) registered nurses (RNs) into a master’s degree (MSN) and then Ph.D. or DNP within no more than five years after they graduate.

There is a huge demand for nurses with a doctorate degree, not in the least because there is such a shortage of nurse educators. If the stock of nurse educators is not replenished, there will be no way to educate tomorrow’s nursing workforce either. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have therefore put out a call to all nurses to commit to furthering their education.

The outlook for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates is incredibly strong. Exactly how strong, however, will vary depending on what they plan to do after graduation. Different positions are available to them, each of which attracts a different salary. As such:

• Nurse Researchers can expect to earn around $95,000 per year. They can also increase this by speaking at events and conferences, consulting, teaching, and writing books.
• Nurse Practitioners, who continue to work directly with patients in a clinical role, can expect to earn around $98,826 per year. They may also be able to prescribe medication.
• Clinical Nurse Specialists, who mainly work in an advisory role for various conditions, can earn as much as $120,000 per year.
• Nurse Anesthetists, working alongside the anesthesiologist in surgeries, can expect to earn around $81,162 per year.
• Nurse Midwives, who help in antenatal and postnatal care, as well as during deliveries, can earn as much as $102,670 per year.
• Nurse Educators, who train tomorrow’s nursing workforce, earn in excess of $111,870 per year.

There are various other factors, besides exact role, that affect the expected salary of a Ph.D. in Nursing graduate, however.

#1 Your Job Location

Once you have completed your DNP or Ph.D., you will be responsible for problem solving in your workplace, as well as educating the rest of the workforce. You can do this in:

• Surgical and general medical hospitals, where you can influence the treatment plans of patients. At the same time, you are likely to conduct research and drive policy so that health care outcomes are improved.
• Public health offices, where you will be responsible for influencing national and local health officials and policy makers, ensuring that they find solutions to health problems that are smart and based on research.
• Research facilities, which are particularly suitable for those with a Ph.D.. In this role, you will generally research the various health and medical issues that today’s people face. You may also try to uncover new solutions and cures for these health problems.
• Independent practice, whereby you will have the flexibility of determining when you work and who you work with. Furthermore, you are the end responsible for the treatment you feel is appropriate for your patients.
• Physicians’ offices, where you can manage other nursing staff and essentially work independently, but without the stresses of starting your own practice.
• Universities, whereby you can teach the next generation of nurses.

Each of these types of jobs attracts different levels of pay. However, it is not uncommon for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates to earn a six figure income, regardless of where they work.

#2 Geographical Location

The geographical location of your work also has a significant impact on how much you can earn. Generally speaking, larger metropolitan areas attract far higher salaries than rural areas. Certain states also traditionally pay more than other states. However, in general, the areas that attract higher salaries also often have a higher cost of living. Hence, you do need to work out whether you will actually be earning more in terms of your disposable income.

Statistics on Doctorate Educated Nurses

A number of pieces of research have been completed on the salaries of nurses, particularly in comparing doctorate degree nurses to MSN nurses. The American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) 2013 Salary and Compensation Study for Nurse Leaders found that:

• Executive leadership nurses can earn between $120,000 and $300,000 per year.
• DNP nurses earn an average of $7,689 per year more than MSN degree holders.

The outlook for Ph.D. in Nursing graduates is incredibly positive, as you can see, so much so in fact, that employers are fighting over each other to attract any nurses who hold this advanced degree because there are so few of them. This puts you in a unique position of being able to negotiate not just on your annual salary, but also your other benefits. These include things such as retirement plans, medical and life insurance, childcare support, paid vacation, bonuses, commissions, and more. While it is certainly true that obtaining a Ph.D. in Nursing takes a significant investment of both time and money, most would agree that it is an investment worth making.

• Nursing Faculty Shortage. (2015, Mar. 16) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage
• The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/articles/126-the-future-of-nursing-leading-change-advancing-health
• What Is the Average Salary with a DNP Degree? (n.d.) Retrieved from http://nursejournal.org/dnp-programs/what-is-the-average-salary-with-a-dnp-degree/
• The Voice of Nursing Leadership – Salary and Compensation Study for Nurse Leaders – 2013 Edition.(n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.aone.org/resources/nurse-leaders-compensation-summary.pdf
• Career Outlook: DNP. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.stfrancis.edu/academics/college-of-nursing/dnp/career-outlook/
• DNP Fact Sheet. (2016, Apr.) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/dnp
• IOM Future of Nursing Report. (2010, Oct.) Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/dnp

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Nurse Salaries By State + the Highest Paying States For RNs

Wondering where you can make the most money as a nurse in 2024? Turns out, the average registered nurse salary varies widely from state to state. The latest data from the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the difference between the highest and lowest RN salaries is nearly $100,000 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Read on to find out the highest paying states for registered nurses and check out the average RN salary by state.

In This Article

Average registered nurse salary in the united states.

• Average RN Salary by State Table
• Factors That Impact Registered Nurse Salary
• Other Considerations
• RN Salary FAQs

Many factors impact how much registered nurses make in each state. But how do they stack up against one another? We pulled the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to rank all 50 states, Wahington D.C., and Puerto Rico registered nurse salaries to see where you can make the most as an RN.

52.  Puerto Rico

Average RN Salary: $37,360

Average  Hourly: $17.96

Number of RNs in Puerto Rico : 21,270

51.  South Dakota

Average RN Salary: $64,500

Average  Hourly: $31.01

Number of RNs in South Dakota: 14,360

50.   Arkansas

Average RN Salary: $66,530

Average Hourly: $31.98

Number of RNs in Arkansas: 28,490

49.  Alabama

Average RN Salary: $66,910

Average  Hourly: $32.17

Number of RNs in Alabama: 49,370

48.   Mississippi

Average RN Salary: $67,930

Average  Hourly: $32.66

Number of RNs in Mississippi:  29,370

Average RN Salary: $69,370

Average Hourly: $33.35

Number of RNs in Iowa: 34,050

46.   Missouri

Average RN Salary: $71,860

Average Hourly: $34.55

Number of RNs in Missouri: 70,440

45.  Kansas  

Average RN Salary: $71,990

Average  Hourly: $34.61

Number of RNs in Kansas: 30,520

44.  West Virginia

Average RN Salary: $72,230

Average  Hourly: $34.73

Number of RNs in West Virginia: 21,110

43.   Tennessee

Average RN Salary: $72,480

Average  Hourly: $34.85

Number of RNs in Tennessee: 60,840

42.   Nebraska

Average RN Salary: $73,510

Average Hourly: $35.34

Number of RNs in Nebraska: 19,870

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41.   South Carolina

Average RN Salary: $74,330

Average Hourly: $35.74

Number of RNs in South Carolina: 44,030

40.  North Dakota

Average RN Salary: $75,000

Average Hourly: $36.06

Number of RNs in North Dakota: 11,300

39.   Indiana

Average RN Salary: $75,580

Average  Hourly: $36.34

Number of RNs in Indiana: 67,350

38.   Louisiana

Average RN Salary: $75,920

Average Hourly: $36.50

Number of RNs in Louisiana: 43,790

Average RN Salary: $76,400

Average Hourly: $36.73

Number of RNs in Utah: 22,830

36.   Oklahoma

Average RN Salary: $76,920

Average Hourly: $36.98

Number of RNs in Oklahoma:  30,320

35.   Maine

Average RN Salary: $77,410

Average Hourly: $37.22

Number of RNs in Maine: 14,610

34.   North Carolina

Average RN Salary: $77,420

Number of RNs in North Carolina: 104,300

33.  Kentucky

Average  RN Salary: $77,620

Average  Hourly: $37.32

Number of RNs in Kentucky: 44,970

32.  Montana

Average RN Salary: $78,350

Average Hourly: $37.67

Number of RNs in Montana: 10,020

Average RN Salary: $78,450

Average Hourly: $37.72

Number of RNs in Ohio: 130,370

30.   Idaho

Average RN Salary: $78,610

Average Hourly: $37.79

Number of RNs in Idaho: 13,680

29.   Florida

Average RN Salary: $79,910

Average Hourly: $38.42

Number of RNs in Florida: 197,630

28.   Vermont

Average RN Salary: $79,990

Average Hourly: $38.46

Number of RNs in Vermont: 6,930

27.   Pennsylvania

Average RN Salary: $80,630

Average Hourly: $38.76

Number of RNs in Pennsylvania: 137,970

26.   Michigan

Average RN Salary: $80,660

Average Hourly: $38.78

Number of RNs in Michigan: 101,470

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25.   Wisconsin

Average RN Salary: $81,000

Average Hourly: $38.94

Number of RNs in Wisconsin: 61,100

24.  Wyoming

Average RN Salary: $81,010

Average Hourly: $38.95

Number of RNs in Wyoming: 5,070

23.   Virginia

Average RN Salary: $81,860

Average Hourly: $39.36

Number of RNs in Virginia: 69,510

22.   Illinois

Average RN Salary: $82,220

Average Hourly: $39.53

Number of RNs in Illinois: 129,390

21.   New Hampshire

Average RN Salary: $83,420

Average Hourly: $40.11

Number of RNs in New Hampshire: 13,510

20.   Texas

Average RN Salary: $84,320

Average Hourly: $40.54

Number of RNs in Texas: 231,060

>> Related:  Registered Nurse Salary in Texas

19.  Delaware

Average RN Salary: $85,020

Average Hourly: $40.88

Number of RNs in Delaware: 11,490

18.   Georgia

Average RN Salary: $85,180

Average Hourly: $40.95

Number of RNs in Georgia: 82,970

17.   New Mexico

Average RN Salary: $85,580

Average Hourly: $41.15

Number of RNs in New Mexico: 15,910

16.   Colorado

Average RN Salary: $86,590

Average Hourly: $41.63

Number of RNs in Colorado: 52,390

15.   Arizona

Average RN Salary: $86,740

Average Hourly: $41.70

Number of RNs in Arizona: 56,040

14.   Maryland

Average RN Salary: $87,990

Average Hourly: $42.30

Number of RNs in Maryland: 49,790

13.  Rhode Island

Average RN Salary: $88,250

Average Hourly: $42.43

Number of RNs in Rhode Island: 11,190

12.   Minnesota

Average RN Salary: $88,860

Average Hourly: $42.72

Number of RNs in Minnesota: 63,800

11.   Connecticut

Average RN Salary: $94,260

Average Hourly: $45.32

Number of RNs in Connecticut: 34,290

10.   Nevada

Average RN Salary: $96,310

Average Hourly: $46.30

Number of RNs in Nevada: 23,970

9.   New Jersey

Average RN Salary: $96,670

Average Hourly: $46.48

Number of RNs in New Jersey: 78,340

8.  District of Columbia

Average RN Salary: $98,230

Average Hourly: $47.23

Number of RNs in DC: 11,820

7.   New York

Average RN Salary: $100,130

Average Hourly: $48.14

Number of RNs in New York: 190,470

6.   Washington

Average RN Salary: $101,670

Average Hourly: $48.88

Number of RNs in Washington: 64,920

5.   Alaska

Average RN Salary: $103,310

Average Hourly: $49.67

Number of RNs in Alaska: 6,730

4.  Massachusetts

Average RN Salary: $104,150

Average Hourly: $50.07

Number of RNs in Massachusetts: 94,100

3.   Oregon

Average RN Salary: $106,610

Average Hourly: $51.26

Number of RNs in Oregon: 37,400

2.   Hawaii  

Average RN Salary: $113,220

Average Hourly: $54.43

Number of RNs in Hawaii: 11,800

1.  California

Average RN Salary: $133,340

Average Hourly: $64.10

Number of RNs in California: 325,620

*Extracted From BLS July 13, 2023

How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in Each State?

Here is a table of the average registered nurse salary in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico:

Registered Nurse Salary Factors

The salaries by state listed above represent an average across all types of nurses. So, depending on your specialty, place of work, level of experience, degree, and many other factors, you'll see some variances in how much you can expect to earn. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind that can impact how much you make:

1. Types of Nurses

Salaries will vary widely depending on your specialty and the nursing job you work in. 

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) like nurse practitioners , nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives can all expect to earn higher salaries than a nurse without a graduate degree. 

How you work also plays a big role in the annual salary you can expect to earn. Travel nurses and per diem nurses, for example, tend to earn far more than their traditional nurse counterparts.

2. Years of Experience

Registered nurses, at the start of their careers, will usually make less than nurses with more years of experience under their belts. As you improve your skills and progress in your career, you can expect to see your wages improve as well.

3. Degree Type

Nurses will typically see salary increases when they further their education. Nurses who have earned their Bachelor's degree (BSN) tend to earn more than nurses who have only earned their Associate's degree in Nursing (ADN). While a master's in nursing or a doctorate degree will usually earn nurses even higher salaries.

Other RN Salary Considerations 

As a nurse, your salary shouldn't be the only thing you consider when deciding what field to go into or what job to take. 

How far that salary will go will greatly depend on the cost of living in the area. Some of the highest-paying states also cost a lot to live in, meaning that 6 figure salary isn't going to go nearly as far as it would in a less expensive area. Your registered nurse salary in California might get you a comparable standard of living to a lower salary in Iowa.

You'll also want to look at things like the job benefits, the hours, what the work-life balance will be, and what their training and education policies are like. Don't overlook your quality of life!

Registered Nurse Salary FAQs

What are the highest-paying jobs in the medical field .

• Some of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare, other than physicians, are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), which include Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). 

What is the happiest career in the medical field?

• U.S. News ranked Nurse Practitioners (NPs) as the best job in healthcare in 2022.

What is the easiest medical field job?

• It really depends on what you define as “easy.” If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t require hands-on care and pays well, informatics, technology, or biomedical engineering may all be good choices.

What is the least stressful job in the medical field?

• Audiologists—who diagnose problems with the ears—have a reputation for having the lowest amount of stress in the medical field.

The Takeaway

There are a lot of things at play in the nursing salaries you can expect to earn. And even if you practice in a state with a lower RN salary average, there are always ways to increase your salary and reach your career goals. As you're planning out your career path, don't forget to keep all these factors in mind to set yourself up for success!

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Doctor Of Nursing Practice Salaries in the United States

How much does a doctor of nursing practice make.

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• Chicago, IL
• New York, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, DC

Individually reported data submitted by users of our website

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Frequently Asked Questions About a Doctor Of Nursing Practice Salaries

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Below are the most recent Doctor Of Nursing Practice salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.

Nursing Salaries in 2020

Nurses have carried a heavy burden since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Over a year later, they continue to face unprecedented challenges, overwhelmed with patient care responsibilities while risking their own physical and mental health working in underequipped and unsafe conditions.

These unanticipated circumstances have also drawn attention to the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system. The need for healthcare professionals in this time of crisis, combined with the national nursing shortage, has resulted in higher compensation for nurses at every level, which may last beyond the pandemic.

This guide presents data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on 2020 nursing salaries, released in March of 2021. Nurses just entering the field or those already committed to the profession can explore which states and cities offer the highest salaries, where salaries have increased the most, and how these trends will affect the nursing profession in the future.

How Much Did Nurses Earn in 2020?

Nursing salaries have climbed significantly in the five years preceding the pandemic. Registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have experienced the highest increases since 2016.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwive s (CNMs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) all earned median salaries in the six figures in 2020. CRNAs, among the most highly regarded and specialized of all nursing specialties, earned a mean annual wage of over $189,000, according to the most recent BLS data .

Average Nursing Salary by Year and Occupation

The growing demand for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers to train the next generation of nursing professionals has steadily boosted salaries for these educators. Nursing assistants and licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) who typically enter the field without four-year degrees continue to earn less than RNs with bachelor’s degrees or higher. Although these nurses make less than the national average of $58,310 for all U.S. occupations, they also received steady pay increases from 2016-2020.

How Much Did Nursing Salaries Change Last Year?

While APRNs earn the highest salaries among all nursing roles, salary increases among nursing occupations in 2020 vary considerably. These differences reflect education levels and specialized certification, as well as changing healthcare needs.

CNMs have experienced the highest salary increase by percentage, with a higher average annual pay than general RNs and nurse practitioners. These earnings have risen, along with the demand for their services, in response to changing perceptions about prenatal care and natural childbirth.

The aging population’s healthcare needs have also resulted in higher salaries for RNs, nursing assistants, and LPN/LVNs providing long-term care, primary care, and preventive patient services.

As nursing shortages continue to affect some areas of the United States, nursing schools have struggled with capacity issues , unable to admit more students or hire the needed faculty to train them, resulting in flat salary levels for nurse educators.

Which States Have the Highest 2020 RN Salaries?

Registered nursing salaries generally reflect state-specific factors, such as population density, nursing shortages in underrepresented communities, labor conditions, and cost of living. The highest-paid nurses work in western states, Alaska, Hawaii, and the upper East Coast, while southern and midwestern states pay the lowest salaries.

California leads all states for overall nursing compensation, with salaries twice as high as those in the lowest-paying states of Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota, where RNs earn $61,000 or less annually. The relatively low salaries paid to RNs in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota correspond in part to inadequate state funding for healthcare in rural and underserved areas, along with continuing restrictions against labor unions.

While these states pay less competitive wages than other parts of the country, they offer relatively low living costs for essentials such as groceries, housing, transportation, and utilities. In contrast, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., New York , California , and Oregon, which all rank among the top-paying states for RNs, also report the highest average cost of living figures among all fifty states.

Average 2020 RN Salary by State

In which states did rn salaries increase the most.

California, with its large geographic area, booming population, and high wages for healthcare workers, reports the biggest increase in RN salaries, growing by 6.5% from 2019-2020. This increase stands in stark contrast to some of the less populated and smaller states, like Alabama, Delaware, and Rhode Island, which offered raises of less than 1%, or, with Washington, D.C., a decrease in RN salaries of 0.5%.

However, other states across the country also report high increases in RN salaries, ranging from almost 4% in Arkansas and North Carolina to 6% in Washington. Some increases came about to help alleviate the growing burden placed on nurses during the COVID-19 crisis.

In states where the nursing workforce had already become overburdened and understaffed before the pandemic began, healthcare administrators and public health officials, concerned about looming nursing shortages, have begun to advocate for higher salaries.

Which Cities Have the Highest 2020 RN Salaries?

Six metropolitan areas in California top the list of all U.S. cities with the highest registered nursing salaries in both 2019 and 2020. Urban centers around Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and New York City also ranked among the top ten.

In California’s urban areas , where the demand for RNs continues to outweigh the supply, higher salaries help offset the high cost of living. The strong union movement among nurses in the state has bolstered compensation by securing pension and healthcare benefits. The state restricts the scope of practice for LVNs, leading employers to hire RNs and pay them accordingly for the full range of services they provide.

The high salaries for nurses in Portland and Seattle reflect the needs of their rapidly aging populations, high rates of nursing turnover and retirements, and the growing number of healthcare facilities and share of nursing homes. RNs continue to find employment opportunities and competitive salaries in the New York City urban area — home to several of the nation’s best hospitals and medical clinics.

Average 2020 RN Salary by City

In which cities did rn salaries increase the most.

RN salary increases across the country reflect several societal trends. Continuing nursing shortages exacerbated by retirements and turnover, and the growing demand for primary and preventive healthcare by an aging population have driven efforts to offer nurses more competitive salaries and raises.

Salary increases also reflect the newfound appreciation for the value of nurses and the critical healthcare functions they have performed during the pandemic. Urban areas around San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, which rank among the most expensive places to live, typically offer more competitive salaries to offset housing costs and other essential living expenses.

In 2020, California’s major cities paid RNs the highest average salaries with some of the largest pay increases. The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area ranks first for both highest overall average registered nursing salary in the U.S. and largest increase in average RN salary.

The Future of Nursing Compensation

Even before COVID-19, nursing salaries had risen in response to population shifts and state-specific economic changes that created nursing shortages and affected employment prospects. Rising salary levels also reflect state and city responses to cost of living, turnover, and retirement among the existing nursing pool.

The demand for skilled nurses has only intensified during the pandemic, as hospitals cope with increased patient loads, overburdened ICU and emergency care units, and lengthy patient stays. Technological innovations, the widening access to telehealth options, and the need for specialized nurses will continue to place upward pressure on RN salaries, contributing to a promising employment outlook in the years ahead.

Methodology

This article uses data from the BLS, U.S. Department of Labor, and Occupational Employment Statistics, released on March 31st, 2021, and accessed on April 2nd, 2021.

The top metropolitan areas by average RN salary and the percentage increase in average RN salary were limited to the top 50 metropolitan areas by total RN employment to ensure sufficient sample sizes.

The 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and salary figures may not fully reflect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing workforce.

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