How Much Do Geriatric Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence geriatric nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Geriatric 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 geriatric nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on maximizing earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Geriatric Nurse Salaries
Geriatric 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 Geriatric Nurses Make?
In the U.S., geriatric nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts geriatric nurse salaries well above average.
Geriatric nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Geriatric nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Geriatric nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some geriatric 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, geriatric nurses can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $132,680.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Geriatric Nurse Salaries
All geriatric 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, geriatric 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, geriatric 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 Geriatric Nurse Salaries
Geriatric nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which offers a Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Geriatric Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Geriatric Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer geriatric nurses the highest pay, 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 Geriatric Nurse Salaries by City
The cost of living doesn’t just differ by state but by population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if geriatric nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with 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 Geriatric Nurse Salaries
Geriatric nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many geriatric nurses, outpatient care centers and general medical and surgical 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 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $38.12 | $79,280 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Geriatric Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A geriatric 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 Geriatric Nurse
Geriatric 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 lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For geriatric 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 geriatric 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, geriatric 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 geriatric nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Geriatric Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for geriatric nurses?
The highest-paid geriatric 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 geriatric nurses make per hour?
Geriatric 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 geriatric 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 geriatric nurses get paid more?
Geriatric 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 geriatric nurses the highest pay?
To become a geriatric 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 geriatric nurses the highest pay. However, the highest-paying degree in most nursing fields is the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
