How Much Do Neuroscience Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence neuroscience nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Neuroscience Nurse Salaries
Neuroscience nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals
$98,220
How Much Do Neuroscience Nurses Make?
In the U.S., neuroscience nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts neuroscience nurse salaries well above average.
Neuroscience nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Neuroscience nurse average annual salary:
$94,480
Neuroscience nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Many neuroscience 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, neuroscience 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 Neuroscience Nurse Salaries
All neuroscience 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, neuroscience 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, neuroscience nurses may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Neuroscience nurses can 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 Neuroscience Nurse Salaries
Neuroscience nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing, which offers the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Neuroscience Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Neuroscience Nurse Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer neuroscience 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 Neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurses work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small rehabilitation facility 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 Neuroscience Nurse Salaries
Neuroscience nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many RNs, specialty and general medical and surgical hospital positions pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $47.22 | $98,220 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Neuroscience Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A neuroscience nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or participate 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 Neuroscience Nurse
Neuroscience 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 can lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For neuroscience 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 neuroscience 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, neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Neuroscience Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for neuroscience nurses?
The highest-paid neuroscience nurses are those working in Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals who make an average of $98,220 a year, or $47.22 per hour.
2. What do neuroscience nurses make per hour?
Neuroscience 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 neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurses get paid more?
Neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurses the highest pay?
To become a neuroscience 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 neuroscience nurses.
