What Are the Salaries of Nurses?

Nurses' salaries differ depending on the specialty and area of the country. Nurses specializing in a field of medicine will tend to make more than those in general practice in doctor's offices. Likewise, due to the higher cost of living, nurses in large cities will tend to make more money than those living in the interior of the country. Almost all salaries here were averaged from data obtained from Salary.com and are current as of May 2009, unless other indicated.

General Pay

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary of nurses in May 2006 was about $57,000 per year. Depending on the area of employment, salaries increased or decreased. Those working in hospitals or employment services were paid $58,550 and $64,260, respectively.

Lucrative Specialties

Nurses employed as a registered nurse anesthetist or nurse researcher can make up to $135,000 or $95,000, respectively. Likewise, psychiatric nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives can make $95,000 and $84,000 a year, respectively, according to Nursing Link.

Less Lucrative Areas

For nurses employed in doctors' offices, pay was about $53,800 a year as of May 2006, according to the Labor Department.

West Coast

In Los Angeles, California, the average per-year pay for nurses is around $70,000.

Interior of the Country

In Memphis, Tennessee and Springfield, Illinois, the average yearly salary for a nurse is about $60,000. In Houston, Texas, the pay is $63,500 per year.

East Coast

The average per-year pay for a nurses is about $73,000 in New York City.

References

• Nurses' Median Salary
• Nurses Link

Resources

• Nursing Salaries