How Much Do Infusion Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence infusion nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Infusion 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 infusion nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Infusion Nurse Salaries
Infusion 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 Infusion Nurses Make?
In the U.S., infusion nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts infusion nurse salaries well above average.
Infusion nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Infusion nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Infusion nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some infusion 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.
In the lower salary range, infusion 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 Infusion Nurse Salaries
All infusion 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 their NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, infusion 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 Infusion Nurse Salaries
Infusion nurses can earn the Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) specialty certification through the Infusion Nurses Society. The exam covers general infusion principles, every type of vascular device infusion nurses may encounter, and the specifics of different infusion therapies. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Infusion Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Infusion Nurse Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer infusion 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 Infusion 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 infusion nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small infusion clinic 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 Infusion Nurse Salaries
Infusion nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. Employment services and outpatient care centers pay infusion nurses the highest wage.
| 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 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can an Infusion Nurse’s Salary Grow?
An infusion 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.
Infusion nursing 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 Infusion Nurse
Infusion 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 pave the way to a higher charge nursing salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For infusion 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 infusion 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, infusion nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing nurses to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase an infusion nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Infusion Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for infusion nurses?
The highest-paid infusion 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 infusion nurses make per hour?
Infusion 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 infusion 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 an infusion nurse get paid more?
Infusion 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 infusion nurses the highest pay?
To become an infusion 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 infusion nurses the highest pay.
