How Much Do Parish Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence parish nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Parish 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 parish nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Parish Nurse Salaries
Parish nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$95,411
San Jose, CA
$101,118
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$96,830
How Much Do Parish Nurses Make?
In the U.S., parish nurses make an average of $38.62 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $80,321 per year, which puts parish nurse salaries well above average.
Parish nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Parish nurse average annual salary
$80,321
Parish nurse average hourly wage
$38.62
In the lower salary range, parish nurses can make an average of $61,500, while the higher end averages closer to $118,000, according to ZipRecruiter.
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Education Affects Parish Nurse Salaries
All parish 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, parish 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
How Specialty Certification Affects Parish Nurse Salaries
Parish nurses can earn specialty certifications through universities and religious organizations. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Parish Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Parish Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer parish nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| New York | $95,411 |
| Washington, D.C. | $90,610 |
| Alaska | $88,656 |
| Massachusetts | $88,574 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,367 |
| Connecticut | $85,806 |
| Hawaii | $85,074 |
| Rhode Island | $84,992 |
| Delaware | $84,830 |
| North Carolina | $84,316 |
| New Jersey | $84,137 |
| Illinois | $83,283 |
| Washington | $83,116 |
| New Hampshire | $82,794 |
| Oregon | $82,713 |
| Wisconsin | $82,520 |
| Georgia | $82,373 |
| Nevada | $81,736 |
| Virginia | $81,655 |
| Indiana | $81,505 |
| North Dakota | $80,596 |
| Vermont | $79,864 |
| Arizona | $79,819 |
| Ohio | $79,619 |
| Maine | $79,212 |
| New Mexico | $79,137 |
| Minnesota | $78,250 |
| Wyoming | $78,072 |
| Iowa | $77,910 |
| Alabama | $77,634 |
| Missouri | $77,584 |
| Kansas | $77,503 |
| Utah | $77,421 |
| Nebraska | $76,689 |
| Kentucky | $76,607 |
| Montana | $76,037 |
| Idaho | $75,956 |
| Tennessee | $73,362 |
| South Dakota | $73,188 |
| Maryland | $72,755 |
| Mississippi | $72,618 |
| California | $72,008 |
| Colorado | $72,000 |
| Arkansas | $70,310 |
| Michigan | $70,070 |
| Louisiana | $68,780 |
| Oklahoma | $68,640 |
| South Carolina | $68,640 |
| Texas | $68,236 |
| West Virginia | $67,474 |
| Florida | $64,003 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying Parish 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 parish nurses work for a large congregation in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small church in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Jose, CA | $48.61 | $101,118 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47.64 | $99,100 |
| Oakland, CA | $47.55 | $98,906 |
| Hayward, CA | $47.47 | $98,739 |
| Antioch, CA | $47.41 | $98,615 |
| Lebanon, NH | $47.24 | $98,258 |
| Seattle, WA | $47.20 | $98,182 |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $46.63 | $96,985 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $46.07 | $95,817 |
| Seaside, CA | $45.83 | $95,336 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Workplace Type and Parish Nurse Salaries
Parish nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many parish nurses, hospital positions and churches/congregations pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Church/Congregation | $38.62 | $80,321 |
| Community Centers | $35.71 | $74,278 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Parish Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A parish 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. Most employers offer an hourly rate to new hires based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes location, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Parish Nurse
Parish 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 higher salaries.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For parish 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 parish 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, parish 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 parish nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Parish Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for parish nurses?
The highest-paid parish nurses are those working in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, who make an average of $96,830 a year, or $46.55 per hour.
2. What do parish nurses make per hour?
Parish 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 parish nurses the best?
According to ZipRecruiter, New York offers the highest pay for all RNs at $45.87 per hour, or $95,411 a year. San Jose, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $48.61 per hour ($101,118 per year).
4. How can parish nurses get paid more?
Parish 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 parish nurses the highest pay?
To become a parish 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 parish nurses the highest pay.
