How Much Do Military Nurses Make?
Military nursing salaries depend on several factors, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Military nurses can earn slightly less than other registered nurses (RNs), according to a comparison between the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and ZipRecruiter RN salaries. This guide will walk any prospective military nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Military Nurse Salaries
Military nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$89,112
Aspen, CO
$105,968
Government – Military Nurse Practitioner
$130,295
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, a military nurse working in a New York City Veterans Affairs hospital may make more than a military nurse doing home visits in Alabama.
How Much Do Military Nurses Make?
Military nurses make an average of $80,321 in the U.S., according to ZipRecruiter. Hourly pay for military nurses averages $38.62, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Military nurse average annual salary
$80,321
Military nurse average hourly wage
$38.62
Some military nurses may be eligible for overtime and hazard pay, depending on the work environment. Certain branches of the military may also offer sign-on bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a military nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $61,500 to an above average $118,000, according to ZipRecruiter data.
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Education Affects Military Nurse Salaries
The military requires their nurses to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree before entering. To obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as a year, but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with a BSN, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to receive an RN designation.
Further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), can also raise a military nurse’s salary.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Military Nurse Salaries
A military nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Once a nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in their medical specialty, like critical care nursing or trauma nursing.
Location and Military Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for military nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Military Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay military nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| New York | $89,112 |
| Delaware | $88,242 |
| California | $86,016 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,774 |
| Maine | $83,532 |
| Wisconsin | $82,381 |
| Washington | $81,991 |
| Washington, D.C. | $81,991 |
| Massachusetts | $80,616 |
| Nebraska | $80,321 |
| Alaska | $80,105 |
| New Jersey | $79,808 |
| New Hampshire | $79,619 |
| Oregon | $79,191 |
| North Dakota | $79,111 |
| Oklahoma | $78,136 |
| South Dakota | $77,940 |
| Hawaii | $77,610 |
| Colorado | $77,191 |
| Indiana | $76,536 |
| Nevada | $75,742 |
| New Mexico | $75,532 |
| Minnesota | $75,427 |
| Missouri | $74,639 |
| Arizona | $74,593 |
| Montana | $73,825 |
| Connecticut | $73,761 |
| Ohio | $73,461 |
| Rhode Island | $73,350 |
| Alabama | $72,902 |
| Vermont | $72,675 |
| Maryland | $72,490 |
| Virginia | $72,418 |
| Iowa | $71,782 |
| Mississippi | $71,245 |
| Illinois | $71,237 |
| Tennessee | $70,136 |
| Kansas | $69,993 |
| Utah | $69,956 |
| Idaho | $69,614 |
| South Carolina | $67,745 |
| Texas | $67,357 |
| North Carolina | $66,613 |
| Louisiana | $65,854 |
| Georgia | $65,805 |
| Kentucky | $63,985 |
| Michigan | $63,961 |
| West Virginia | $63,031 |
| Arkansas | $60,789 |
| Florida | $60,103 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying Military Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, military nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than they are in a small rural town in a Southeastern state.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Aspen, CO | $50.95 | $105,968 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $49.22 | $102,368 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $47.05 | $97,870 |
| San Francisc,oCA | $47.00 | $97,769 |
| Marysville, WA | $46.44 | $96,598 |
| San Jose, CA | $45.55 | $94,746 |
| Alexandria, VA | $44.85 | $93,286 |
| Oakland, CA | $44.58 | $92,725 |
| Hayward, CA | $44.50 | $92,567 |
| Ashland, CA | $44.50 | $92,559 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Workplace Type and Military Nurse Salaries
ZipRecruiter lists the following salaries for military nurses and military nurse practitioners:
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Government | $38.62 | $80,321 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Military Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A military nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Military nursing pay also rises with each year of experience and rank. Military nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification, advanced degrees, and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations outside the military.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Military Nurse
Nurses can improve their salaries by taking steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability to employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified military nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose a military nurse with certification over another one without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For registered nurses with an ADN and who aspire to become a military nurse, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Military nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Leadership roles can include managing a busy hospital unit or pursuing administrative roles.
4. Change Your Workplace
If a current work setting cannot increase a military nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Military Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for military nurses?
The highest-paid military nurses are Government – Military Nurse Practitioner, who make an average of $130,295 a year, or $62.64 per hour.
2. What do military nurses make per hour?
Military 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 military nurses the best?
According to ZipRecruiter, New York offers the highest pay for all RNs at $42.84 per hour, or $89,112 a year. Aspen, CO, boasts the highest salaries at $50.95 per hour ($105,968 per year).
