How Much Do Neonatal Nurses Make?
Neonatal nursing salaries depend on several factors, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Neonatal 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 neonatal nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Neonatal Nurse Salaries
Neonatal 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 Neonatal Nurses Make?
Neonatal nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Hourly pay for neonatal nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Neonatal nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Neonatal nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some neonatal nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a neonatal nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680, according to BLS data.
Here’s how the neonatal nurse pay bell curve plays out according to the BLS:
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Neonatal Nurse Salaries
Aspiring neonatal nurses can reach this goal via a few different education paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get 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 an ADN and pass their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, neonatal nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
Further education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), also raises a neonatal nurse’s salary but also changes their role.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Neonatal Nurse Salaries
A neonatal 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 that specialty.
Neonatal nurses can test for the CCRN (Neonatal) specialty credential through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses or the RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC) offered by the National Certification Corporation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can cause a pay raise.
Location and Neonatal Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for neonatal nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Neonatal Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and northeastern states pay neonatal nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| State | Average Salary |
| 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 Neonatal Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, neonatal 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 the Midwest.
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 |
| 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 Neonatal Nurse Salaries
Neonatal nurses who work in the NICU may earn higher salaries than those working in a community setting. Neonatal nurses can also make more money in the business world, consulting and serving as executives.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Neonatal Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A neonatal nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Neonatal nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Neonatal nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification, advanced degrees, and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Neonatal Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the 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 for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified neonatal nurse, and a prospective employer will likely choose a neonatal nurse with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For neonatal nurses with an ADN, 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
Neonatal nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Neonatal leadership roles can include managing a busy NICU or pursuing administrative roles in a health system.
4. Change Your Workplace
NICUs pay neonatal nurses the best, so any neonatal nurse working outside that setting can try working in this prestigious hospital unit to earn higher pay.
Neonatal Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for neonatal nurses?
The highest-paid neonatal 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 neonatal nurses make per hour?
Neonatal 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 neonatal 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).
