How Much Do Nurse Administrators Make?
Nurse administration salaries depend on experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Nurse administrators can earn more than staff registered nurses (RNs), which is already higher than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Nurse Administrator Salaries
Nurse administrators can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$179,160
Rochester, MN
$136,650
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$145,390
How Much Do Nurse Administrators Make?
Nurse administrators make an average of $134,440 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Hourly pay for nurse administrators averages $64.63, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Nurse administrator average annual salary
$134,440
Nurse administrator average hourly wage
$64.63
Some nurse administrators may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer merit-based bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a nurse administrator’s salary can range from the lower average of $67,900 to an above average $216,750, according to BLS data.
Here’s how the nurse administrator pay bell curve plays out according to the BLS:
How Education Affects Nurse Administrator Salaries
Aspiring nurse administrators can reach this goal via a few different education paths. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically takes four years of university education. 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 and pass their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation. Further levels of education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), also raise a nurse administrator’s salary.
Further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), can also raise a public health nurse’s salary.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $0 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Nurse Administrator Salaries
A nurse administrator with specialty certification can offer any employer more value than a nurse without certification, 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.
Nurse administrators can pursue these certifications from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE):
Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to a pay raise.
Location and Nurse Administrator Salaries
Salaries are often based on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for nurse administrators.
Top-Paying Nurse Administrator Salaries by State
Nurse administration salaries are higher on the coasts and lower in the Midwest and in some southern states.
| New York | $179,160 |
| Washington, D.C. | $170,710 |
| Delaware | $164,190 |
| New Jersey | $162,430 |
| Massachusetts | $158,540 |
| California | $156,140 |
| Washington | $152,880 |
| Maryland | $150,590 |
| New Hampshire | $150,090 |
| Oregon | $149,450 |
| Alaska | $148,550 |
| Wisconsin | $148,460 |
| Connecticut | $148,370 |
| Georgia | $146,700 |
| Montana | $144,990 |
| Colorado | $143,120 |
| Hawaii | $137,740 |
| Virginia | $136,370 |
| Arizona | $135,310 |
| Rhode Island | $134,620 |
| North Dakota | $132,940 |
| Illinois | $131,980 |
| South Dakota | $131,910 |
| West Virginia | $130,850 |
| New Mexico | $130,790 |
| Vermont | $130,510 |
| Minnesota | $129,350 |
| North Carolina | $127,620 |
| South Carolina | $126,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $125,860 |
| Utah | $125,550 |
| Idaho | $124,500 |
| Tennessee | $124,190 |
| Florida | $124,070 |
| Nevada | $120,770 |
| Texas | $120,200 |
| Ohio | $118,940 |
| Michigan | $118,870 |
| Maine | $118,410 |
| Missouri | $116,370 |
| Kansas | $115,480 |
| Nebraska | $115,090 |
| Oklahoma | $113,940 |
| Louisiana | $113,400 |
| Indiana | $112,690 |
| Iowa | $109,880 |
| Kentucky | $109,640 |
| Wyoming | $107,750 |
| Alabama | $99,270 |
| Arkansas | $97,250 |
| Mississippi | $95,140 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Nurse Administrator Salaries by City
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 nurse administrators more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Trenton, NJ | $93.14 | $193,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $89.69 | $186,560 |
| New York-Newark, Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86.22 | $179,330 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84.92 | $176,640 |
| Napa, CA | $83.04 | $172,730 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $79.78 | $165,940 |
| Danbury, CT | $79.76 | $165,910 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $79.32 | $164,990 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | $78.49 | $163,250 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $77.44 | $161,070 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Nurse Administrator Salaries
According to ZipRecruiter, nurse administrators who preside over nursing home staff make the highest salaries of their peers. Nursing policy-makers and patient service administrators’ salaries follow close behind. However, directors of nursing typically work for hospitals or large health systems, and their salaries may exceed those of nursing home administrators.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Licensed Nursing Home Administrator | $122,327 | $58.81 |
| Night Nursing Home Administrator | $121,986 | $58.65 |
| Nursing Policy | $117,469 | $56.48 |
| Patient Services Administrator | $110,278 | $53.02 |
| Health Services Administrator | $109,274 | $52.54 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Nurse Administrator’s Salary Grow?
A nurse administrator’s salary can grow fast, especially with certification and higher education. Nurse administration pay also rises with each year of experience. Nurse administrators can also negotiate a higher salary through a job change. The BLS projects a 28% growth for nurse administrators through the year 2032, which is much higher than the average occupation in the United States. With job market growth that high, salaries are also expected to grow.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Nurse Administrator
Nurse administrators can improve their salaries by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. 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. Current employers may increase pay to keep a certified nursing administrator, and a prospective employer will likely choose an administrator with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For nurse administrators with a BSN, earning a higher degree like an MSN or DNP can elevate not only your salary but also your position.
3. Pursue Other Employers
Nurse administrators who work in nursing homes are reported to make the most, and certain positions, like directors of nursing, may offer higher salaries. Changing positions often increases compensation.
Nurse Administration Salaries FAQs
1. What roles offer the highest pay for nurse administrators?
According to BLS data, the highest-paid nurse administrators make an average of $134,440 a year.
2. What do nurse administrators make per hour?
Nurse administrators make an average of $64.63 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay nurse administrators the best?
According to the BLS, New York offers the highest pay for all RNs at $86.13 per hour, or $179,160 a year. Rochester, MN, boasts the highest salaries, at No Record Found per hour (No Record Found per year).
