Calculate nursing salary from annual to hourly, monthly, and biweekly pay. Compare RN vs LPN vs NP earnings, hospital vs travel nursing rates, shift differentials, and overtime potential.
BLS data, US national averages
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Open Salary ConverterNursing is one of the largest and most in-demand professions in the United States, with over 3.1 million registered nurses employed nationally. Nursing salaries vary significantly based on licensure level, specialization, work setting, geographic location, and whether you work as a permanent staff nurse or as a travel nurse. Understanding all the components of nursing compensation — not just the base wage — is essential for maximizing your earnings and making career decisions.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) typically complete a 12–18 month training program at a community college or vocational school. They earn an average of $54,000 per year nationally and work under the supervision of RNs and physicians. LPNs handle basic patient care tasks: vital signs, wound care, medication administration, and documentation.
Registered Nurses (RNs) require either a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). They earn an average of $81,220/year nationally. BSN-prepared nurses increasingly earn a premium over ADN nurses, as many hospital systems implement "BSN preferred" or "BSN required" hiring policies, particularly in magnet-designated hospitals. RNs have broader clinical scope, greater autonomy, and supervisory responsibilities over LPNs and CNAs.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) hold master's or doctoral-level degrees and have advanced practice licensure that allows them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and in many states, practice independently without physician oversight. NPs average $121,000 per year nationally, with specialties like psychiatric-mental health NPs earning even more due to high demand in the mental health space.
Travel nursing involves taking 13-week contracts at hospitals across the country that are experiencing staffing shortages. In addition to a competitive hourly rate (often $35–$60/hour), travel nurses typically receive tax-free stipends for housing ($2,000–$3,000/month) and meals ($250–$500/month), as well as completion bonuses. These stipends are not subject to federal income tax when the nurse is working away from their "tax home," significantly boosting take-home pay.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some critical care travel nurses earned $5,000–$10,000 per week — numbers that attracted nurses from staff positions and created a secondary staffing crisis. While rates have normalized since the pandemic peak, travel nursing remains significantly more lucrative than equivalent staff positions, particularly for ICU, emergency, and OR nurses.
Most hospitals pay shift differentials — additional compensation for working less desirable hours. A night shift differential of $5–$8/hour means a nurse working 36 hours of night shifts per week earns an extra $9,360–$14,976 per year. Weekend differentials of $3–$7/hour on top of any night differential can substantially increase total annual compensation. An RN with a $38/hour base rate working consistent night and weekend shifts might effectively earn $48–$52/hour in total compensation.
Certain nursing specialties command significant pay premiums due to required expertise and high patient acuity. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) average over $200,000/year — the highest in nursing. ICU nurses, operating room nurses, labor and delivery nurses, and emergency nurses typically earn 15–25% more than medical-surgical floor nurses with equivalent experience. Pediatric and neonatal nursing also often carries premiums. Pursuing specialty certification (CCRN, CEN, CNOR) typically results in a pay increase of $2,000–$5,000/year and improves employment prospects.
California leads all states in RN compensation, with average salaries exceeding $124,000/year — more than 50% above the national average. Hawaii, Oregon, Washington State, and Massachusetts also pay nurses substantially above the national average. Southern states like Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina are typically at the lower end, often $55,000–$65,000 for staff RNs. When evaluating nursing jobs across states, always adjust for cost of living — California's higher pay often coincides with dramatically higher housing costs.
The average RN earns approximately $81,220/year, or $39.05/hour. Nurse Practitioners average $121,000/year due to advanced practice licensure.
Travel nurses typically earn 30–50% more than staff nurses, plus tax-free housing and meal stipends that can add $2,000–$3,500/month in non-taxable income.
Shift differentials are pay premiums for evenings (10–15% more) and nights (15–25% more). Weekend differentials of $3–$7/hour are also common, significantly boosting annual income.
LPNs average $54,000/year; RNs average $81,220 — a gap of $27,000 annually. RNs require more education and have a broader, more autonomous clinical scope of practice.