RN Salary

See What Factors Can Affect Your RN Salary

Working as a registered nurse is a stable and lucrative position, but there are different levels within the profession that change the range of RN salary you are eligible for. Not all registered nurses will make the same amount of money, so you need to do your research to establish the various factors that could put you at the bottom or top end of the pay scale.

Although the salary of a registered nurse is quite attractive regardless of the level, by knowing the impact of different elements, you can work towards gaining more money as you excel in your career.

RN Salary Levels

The RN pay scale has a wide range since there are so many contributing factors, but it is still good to be aware of what range you can expect to fall into. The lowest level of RNs make about $43,000 a year, although $62,000 is the average. The top 10% make in the $90,000 range, but they are nurses who have achieved the top level of a specialized path.

The pay range of an RN is vast, so you need to consider what someone with your level of qualifications should be earning and what it takes to move up the scale.

Conditions Affecting Salary

As with all professions, the RN salary you earn could be very different from someone else in the same position, so you need to know how to control what you make.

Education is the first major factor to consider. An associate's degree is the minimum requirement for all RNs, so you know everyone will have at least that, so to boost your earnings, go for your bachelor's degree, or even your master's degree.

Not only will those degrees open more doors for advanced positions, even if you stay in the same position, you could be awarded additional responsibilities and certainly a higher salary.

The second major aspect that can affect an RN salary is the number of years of experience you have on the job. This is why it is beneficial for people to get their associate's degree and start working right away, and then earn their bachelor's degree on the side.

Achieving your education in this way means you can develop your experience level at the same time, and it has a large impact. Employees with less than a year of experience earn between $19-25 an hour compared to $23-31 an hour for 5-9 years on the job and then compared to about $26-35 an hour for more than 20 years. These are average ranges, but it is clear that simple seniority can play a big role.

Additional aspects like the facility you work in and the area you are focused on play roles as well. Nursing care facilities might earn you a lower salary since it comes with fewer responsibilities, while a surgical hospital could boost your earnings by almost $5000 a year.

Also, if you choose to specialize in an area or if you stay in general nursing, there will be an impact as well. Finally if you are employed in a small town or a big city, there will obviously be a change in the salary you can expect.

An RN salary is good no matter what level you are at, but there are things you can control to change it. To develop experience, get started on your job as soon as possible with the minimum degree, but to achieve the educational requirements, keep studying from home to advance your degree and earn more. Consider specializations and the field you want to work in to further impact your income.

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