How Much Do Nurse Managers Make?
Several factors can influence nurse manager salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Nurse managers earn more than other registered nurse (RN), which is already more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective nurse manager through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Nurse Manager Salaries
Nurse managers can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$179,160
Trenton, NJ
$193,730
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$145,390
How Much Do Nurse Managers Make?
In the U.S., nurse managers make an average of $64.63 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $134,440 per year, which puts nurse manager salaries well above average.
Compensation for nurse managers depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Nurse manager average annual salary
$134,440
Nurse manager average hourly wage
$64.63
According to the BLS, nurse managers can make an average of $67,900 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $216,750.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Nurse Manager Salaries
All nurse managers must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, 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 and a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, aspiring nurse managers may choose a higher education path, although this is not always required. They 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 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Nurse Manager Salaries
Nurse managers can earn specialty certifications through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, including the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP®) and the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML®). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Nurse Manager Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Nurse Manager Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer nurse managers the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| 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 Manager 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 nurse managers work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small nursing home in a rural area.
| 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 Manager Salaries
Compensation for nurse managers can also vary depending on the work environment. They can earn the most in hospitals, physician’s offices, and outpatient care centers.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $69.90 | $145,390 |
| Offices of Physicians | $64.58 | $134,330 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $62.26 | $129,500 |
| Home Health Care Services | $52.55 | $109,300 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $51.21 | $106,520 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Nurse Manager’s Salary Grow?
A nurse manager’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, upper management offers incentives to obtain certifications, lead or take part 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 Nurse Manager
Nurse managers can increase their salaries 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 nurse managers with a BSN, obtaining an MSN or DNP typically increases earning potential.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for nurse managers 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, nurse managers 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 nurse manager’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Nurse Manager Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for nurse managers?
The highest-paid nurse managers are those working in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, who make an average of $145,390 a year, or $69.90 per hour.
2. What do nurse managers make per hour?
Nurse managers 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 managers 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. Trenton, NJ, boasts the highest salaries at $93.14 per hour ($193,730 per year).
4. How can nurse managers get paid more?
Nurse managers 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 nurse managers the highest pay?
To become a nurse manager, candidates must earn a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. However, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) typically offers nurse managers the highest pay.
