How Much Do Ambulatory Care Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence ambulatory care nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Ambulatory care nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective ambulatory care nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries
Ambulatory care nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
How Much Do Ambulatory Care Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, ambulatory care nurses in the U.S. make an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals approximately $94,480 per year. Thus, ambulatory care nurse salaries are well above average.
Ambulatory care nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Ambulatory care nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Ambulatory care nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some ambulatory care nurses work 10- or 12-hour shifts, and during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening or on weekends come with an hourly pay increase. Hospitals may also offer extra shifts with bonuses attached.
In the lower salary range, ambulatory care nurses can make an average of $63,720, while the higher end averages closer to $132,680, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries
All ambulatory care nurses must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, ambulatory care nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries
Ambulatory care nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, like the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification (AMB-BC). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer the highest pay for ambulatory care nurses, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries by City
The cost of living differs by state and population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if ambulatory care nurses work for a large urgent care facility in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small private practice in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries
Ambulatory care nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many ambulatory care nurses, outpatient care centers and hospital positions pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can an Ambulatory Care Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An ambulatory care nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.
Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as an Ambulatory Care Nurse
Ambulatory care nurses can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For ambulatory care nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for ambulatory care nurses often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.
3. Earn Certification
By earning a specialty certification, ambulatory care nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase an ambulatory care nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Ambulatory Care Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for ambulatory care nurses?
The highest-paid ambulatory care nurses are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.
2. What do ambulatory care nurses make per hour?
Ambulatory care nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay ambulatory care nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
4. How can ambulatory care nurses get paid more?
Ambulatory care nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.
5. Which degree gives ambulatory care nurses the highest pay?
To become an ambulatory care nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers the highest pay.
