How Much Do Developmental Disability Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence developmental disability nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Developmental disability 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 developmental disability nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries
Developmental disability nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Employment Services
$110,230
How Much Do Developmental Disability Nurses Make?
According to the BLS, developmental disability nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour in the U.S. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts developmental disability nurse salaries well above average.
Developmental disability nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Developmental disability nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Developmental disability nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some developmental disability 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.
According to the BLS, developmental disability nurses can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher end averages closer to $132,680.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries
All developmental disability 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, developmental disability nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, developmental disability nurses may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Some nurses choose to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years to complete. Others graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes longer but may offer higher salaries.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries
Developmental disability nurses can earn specialty certifications through the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer the highest pay for developmental disability 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 Developmental Disability 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 developmental disability nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small group 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 Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries
Developmental disability nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many developmental disability nurses, employment services (agencies) and outpatient care centers pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Employment Services | $53.00 | $110,230 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Developmental Disability Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A developmental disability 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 a Developmental Disability Nurse
Developmental disability 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 salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For developmental disability nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for developmental disability 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, developmental disability 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 developmental disability nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Developmental Disability Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for developmental disability nurses?
The highest-paid developmental disability nurses are those working for Employment Services, who make an average of $110,230 a year, or $53.00 per hour.
2. What do developmental disability nurses make per hour?
Developmental disability 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 developmental disability 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 developmental disability nurses get paid more?
Developmental disability 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 developmental disability nurses the highest pay?
To become a developmental disability 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 developmental disability nurses the highest pay. However, the highest-paying degree in most nursing fields is the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
