It’s no secret that a growing number of nurses are feeling overworked and underpaid and record numbers of RNs are leaving the profession all together. But have you ever wondered what the average RN salary was?
Feeling overworked & underpaid?
Travel nurses make $150K a year on AVERAGE
How much you earn each year as a registered staff nurse will largely depend on your degree, certifications, the State in which you work, how many years of experience you have and what your nursing specialty is. See graph below which shows the average RN salary, by state, along with the average yearly increase across all specialties.
That being said, the average salary (across all specialties) for staff RNs is around $77,460 per year with an average yearly increase of around 3%.
Breaking that down, after taxes (at a 22% tax rate) that’s an approximate take-home income of $60,148 per year, $5,012 per month or $1,253 per week.
Not really much to work with after paying your mortgage/rent, car payment, health insurance, utilities, food, and any of the extras you might have like childcare, clothing, etc.
And not really much to work with when you’re feeling overworked and underpaid.
How can nurses earn more than the average RN salary?
Many nurses are choosing to forgo the 3% yearly raise in favor of taking more control of their income earning potential and choosing a career in travel nursing.
Travel nurses on average (across all specialties) earn $3,000 a week, $12,000 a month, $150,000 a year with 2-week’s time off. That’s a 139% more per year than the average salary for a staff nurse.
Not only that, most travel nurses work three,12-hour shifts per week versus working five, 8-hour shifts or four, 10-hour shifts.
What are you waiting for? We’re happy to answer any questions you might have with absolutely zero commitment. Just let us know a little about what you’re looking for – and our team will reach out with opportunities in your specialty & state of license!
Average Yearly Salary & Annual Raise by State
| State | RN | Average Annual Raise |
| Alabama | $60,230 | $1,806.90 |
| Alaska | $90,500 | $2,715.00 |
| Arizona | $78,330 | $2,349.90 |
| Arkansas | $61,330 | $1,839.90 |
| California | $113,240 | $3,397.20 |
| Colorado | $76,230 | $2,286.90 |
| Connecticut | $83,440 | $2,503.20 |
| Delaware | $74,100 | $2,223.00 |
| Florida | $67,610 | $2,028.30 |
| Georgia | $69,590 | $2,087.70 |
| Guam | $58,070 | $1,742.10 |
| Hawaii | $104,060 | $3,121.80 |
| Idaho | $69,480 | $2,084.40 |
| Illinois | $73,510 | $2,205.30 |
| Indiana | $66,560 | $1,996.80 |
| Iowa | $60,590 | $1,817.70 |
| Kansas | $62,450 | $1,873.50 |
| Kentucky | $63,750 | $1,912.50 |
| Louisiana | $65,850 | $1,975.50 |
| Maine | $69,760 | $2,092.80 |
| Maryland | $77,910 | $2,337.30 |
| Massachusetts | $93,160 | $2,794.80 |
| Michigan | $73,200 | $2,196.00 |
| Minnesota | $80,130 | $2,403.90 |
| Mississippi | $59,750 | $1,792.50 |
| Missouri | $64,160 | $1,924.80 |
| Montana | $69,340 | $2,080.20 |
| Nebraska | $66,640 | $1,999.20 |
| Nevada | $88,380 | $2,651.40 |
| New Hampshire | $73,880 | $2,216.40 |
| New Jersey | $84,280 | $2,528.40 |
| New Mexico | $73,300 | $2,199.00 |
| New York | $87,840 | $2,635.20 |
| North Carolina | $66,440 | $1,993.20 |
| North Dakota | $66,290 | $1,988.70 |
| Ohio | $68,220 | $2,046.60 |
| Oklahoma | $64,800 | $1,944.00 |
| Oregon | $92,960 | $2,788.80 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,410 | $2,142.30 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,040 | $1,051.20 |
| Rhode Island | $82,310 | $2,469.30 |
| South Carolina | $64,840 | $1,945.20 |
| South Dakota | $59,540 | $1,786.20 |
| Tennessee | $62,570 | $1,877.10 |
| Texas | $74,540 | $2,236.20 |
| Utah | $67,970 | $2,039.10 |
| Vermont | $70,240 | $2,107.20 |
| Virgin Islands | $68,500 | $2,055.00 |
| Virginia | $71,870 | $2,156.10 |
| Washington | $86,170 | $2,585.10 |
| Washington, D.C | $94,820 | $2,844.60 |
| West Virginia | $63,220 | $1,896.60 |
| Wisconsin | $72,610 | $2,178.30 |
| Wyoming | $68,690 | $2,060.70 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Got Travel Nursing Questions?
Did we miss anything? Do you still have questions about travel nursing? Give us a call (or shoot us an email) today and one of our dedicated team members would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Next Move Inc
Nurse First.
Nurse Powered.
(816) 601 -3800
Info@NextMoveInc.com
—
Make sure to Follow us on Facebook for fun travel nursing content and hot travel nursing jobs! For this week’s top travel nursing jobs: click here.