How Much Do Charge Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence charge nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Charge nurses earn more than other registered nurses (RNs), according to a comparison between the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and ZipRecruiter’s salary reports. This guide will walk any prospective charge nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on maximizing earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Charge Nurse Salaries
Charge 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 Charge Nurses Make?
In the U.S., charge nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts charge nurse salaries well above average.
Charge nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Charge nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Charge nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Many charge nurses work 12-hour shifts, and during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening, night, or weekend come with an hourly pay increase. Hospitals may also offer extra shifts with bonuses attached.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Charge Nurse Salaries
All charge 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 their 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, charge 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 Charge Nurse Salaries
Charge nurses can earn Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification through the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) or pursue other specialty certifications related to their clinical field. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Charge Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a significant factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Charge Nurse Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer charge nurses the highest pay, while some Midwest and 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 Charge 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 charge nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will likely earn more than those who work with a small nursing home 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 Charge Nurse Salaries
Charge nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For example, operating room charge nurses often make more than their nursing home charge nurse peers.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $47.22 | $98,220 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Charge Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A charge nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or participate 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 Charge Nurse
Charge nurses can increase their salaries 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 charge nurse salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For charge 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 charge 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, charge 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 charge nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Charge Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for charge nurses?
The highest-paid charge 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 charge nurses make per hour?
Charge 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 charge 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 charge nurses get paid more?
Charge 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 charge nurses the highest pay?
To become a charge 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 charge nurses.
