How Much Do Missionary Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence missionary nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Missionary nurses generally earn less than other registered nurses (RNs), 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 missionary nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Missionary Nurse Salaries
Missionary nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
Washington
$90,972
Richmond, CA
$100,621
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
$72,975
How Much Do Missionary Nurses Make?
In the U.S., missionary nurses make an average of $38.62 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $80,321 per year, which puts missionary nurse salaries well above the average salary in the United States.
Missionary nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Missionary nurse average annual salary
$80,321
Missionary nurse average hourly wage
$38.62
According to ZipRecruiter, missionary nurses can average $61,500 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $118,000.
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Education Affects Missionary Nurse Salaries
All missionary 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, missionary 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
Location and Missionary Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Missionary Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer missionary nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| Washington | $90,972 |
| Washington, D.C. | $90,972 |
| New York | $87,874 |
| Massachusetts | $87,721 |
| Alaska | $86,502 |
| Vermont | $85,402 |
| North Dakota | $84,986 |
| Oregon | $84,923 |
| Colorado | $84,459 |
| Hawaii | $83,451 |
| Nevada | $81,792 |
| New Jersey | $81,545 |
| Wisconsin | $81,073 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,514 |
| Delaware | $80,391 |
| South Dakota | $80,321 |
| Virginia | $79,632 |
| California | $79,269 |
| Minnesota | $78,668 |
| Rhode Island | $78,660 |
| New Hampshire | $78,113 |
| Maryland | $77,955 |
| New Mexico | $77,837 |
| Illinois | $77,833 |
| Maine | $77,767 |
| Wyoming | $77,207 |
| Nebraska | $76,582 |
| Indiana | $76,431 |
| Connecticut | $76,409 |
| Ohio | $76,361 |
| Mississippi | $76,070 |
| Idaho | $75,574 |
| Iowa | $75,443 |
| Missouri | $75,342 |
| Arizona | $74,850 |
| Texas | $74,832 |
| South Carolina | $74,535 |
| Oklahoma | $74,163 |
| Montana | $73,723 |
| Utah | $73,122 |
| North Carolina | $72,996 |
| Tennessee | $72,901 |
| Kansas | $71,634 |
| Michigan | $70,008 |
| Alabama | $69,801 |
| Kentucky | $69,761 |
| Louisiana | $68,685 |
| Georgia | $67,822 |
| Arkansas | $66,418 |
| West Virginia | $62,182 |
| Florida | $60,023 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying Missionary 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 missionary nurses work for a large humanitarian foundation in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small non-profit in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Richmond, CA | $48.38 | $100,621 |
| Bellevue, WA | $47.67 | $99,151 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $45.97 | $95,625 |
| Pasadena, CA | $45.71 | $95,076 |
| Stamford, CT | $45.38 | $94,388 |
| Belgrade, MT | $45.17 | $93,954 |
| Federal Way, WA | $45.15 | $93,922 |
| Palmdale, CA | $45.14 | $93,895 |
| Washington, DC | $45.13 | $93,867 |
| Glendale, CA | $44.73 | $93,037 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Workplace Type and Missionary Nurse Salaries
Missionary nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For most missionary nurses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) | $35.08 | $72,975 |
| Not-For-Profit Organizations | $34.30 | $71,344 |
| Church/Congregation | $23.64 | $49,170 |
| Humanitarian Foundations | $16.81 | $34,968 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Missionary Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A missionary 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. Many organizations 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 Missionary Nurse
Missionary 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 lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For missionary 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 missionary 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, missionary 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 missionary nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Missionary Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for missionary nurses?
The highest-paid missionary nurses are those working for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), who make an average of $72,975 a year, or $35.08 per hour.
2. What do missionary nurses make per hour?
Missionary 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 missionary nurses the best?
According to ZipRecruiter, Washington offers the highest pay for all RNs at $43.74 per hour, or $90,972 a year. Richmond, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $48.38 per hour ($100,621 per year).
4. How can missionary nurses get paid more?
Missionary 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 missionary nurses the highest pay?
To become a missionary 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 missionary nurses.
