How Much Do Camp Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence camp nurse salaries, including experience, education level, and geographic location. Camp nurses earn a little less than other registered nurses (RNs), which is still more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective camp nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Camp Nurse Salaries
Camp nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
Washington
$90,972
Sunnyvale, CA
$101,255
Organized Camps
$80,321
How Much Do Camp Nurses Make?
In the U.S., camp nurses make an average of $38.62 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $80,321 per year, which puts camp nurse salaries well above average.
Camp nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Camp nurse average annual salary
$80,321
Camp nurse average hourly wage
$38.62
According to ZipRecruiter, camp nurses can make an average of $61,500 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $118,000.
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Education Affects Camp Nurse Salaries
All camp 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, camp 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 Camp Nurse Salaries
Camp nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Association and the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN):
Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Camp Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Camp Nurse Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer camp nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| Washington | $90,972 |
| Washington, D.C. | $90,972 |
| Wisconsin | $88,492 |
| Alaska | $86,502 |
| Massachusetts | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $85,364 |
| North Dakota | $84,986 |
| Hawaii | $83,451 |
| Nevada | $81,792 |
| Colorado | $81,250 |
| Delaware | $80,391 |
| South Dakota | $80,321 |
| New York | $79,922 |
| Iowa | $79,168 |
| Minnesota | $78,668 |
| Rhode Island | $78,660 |
| Connecticut | $78,359 |
| Tennessee | $78,300 |
| Vermont | $77,901 |
| New Mexico | $77,837 |
| Wyoming | $77,207 |
| Mississippi | $76,948 |
| Nebraska | $76,582 |
| Indiana | $76,431 |
| Ohio | $76,361 |
| Virginia | $75,764 |
| Idaho | $75,574 |
| Missouri | $75,342 |
| Illinois | $75,112 |
| Arizona | $74,850 |
| Maryland | $74,347 |
| Oklahoma | $74,163 |
| Montana | $73,723 |
| New Jersey | $73,494 |
| California | $73,407 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,220 |
| Utah | $73,122 |
| Alabama | $72,802 |
| Maine | $71,817 |
| Kansas | $71,634 |
| South Carolina | $71,463 |
| New Hampshire | $71,139 |
| Michigan | $70,008 |
| North Carolina | $69,987 |
| Kentucky | $69,761 |
| Texas | $69,577 |
| Louisiana | $68,685 |
| Georgia | $67,822 |
| Arkansas | $64,095 |
| West Virginia | $62,182 |
| Florida | $54,413 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying Camp 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 camp nurses work in a busy camp with a larger draw, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small camp in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $48.68 | $101,255 |
| Livermore, CA | $48.66 | $101,203 |
| Arlington, VA | $48.49 | $100,866 |
| Lexington, MA | $47.36 | $98,506 |
| Kent, WA | $47.20 | $98,179 |
| Vacaville, CA | $46.99 | $97,733 |
| Manhattan, NY | $46.52 | $96,752 |
| Hillsboro, OR | $45.99 | $95,656 |
| Napa, CA | $45.93 | $95,533 |
| Berkeley, CA | $45.84 | $95,356 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Camp Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A camp nurse’s salary growth depends on professional development and leadership ability. 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 a Camp Nurse
Camp nurses can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For camp 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 camp 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, camp 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 a camp nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Camp Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for camp nurses?
The highest-paid camp nurses are those working in Organized Camps, who make an average of $80,321 a year, or $38.62 per hour.
2. What do camp nurses make per hour?
Camp nurses make an average of $38.62 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay camp nurses the best?
According to ZipRecruiter, Washington offers the highest pay for all RNs at $43.74 per hour, or $90,972 a year. Sunnyvale, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $48.68 per hour ($101,255 per year).
4. How can camp nurses get paid more?
Camp nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, or earn specialty certification, all of which could potentially increase pay.
5. Which degree gives camp nurses the highest pay?
To become a camp 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 for camp nurses.
