How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make?
Psychiatric nursing salaries may vary based on several factors, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Psychiatric Nurse Salaries
Psychiatric nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$174,370
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make?
Psychiatric nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Hourly pay for psychiatric nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Psychiatric nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Psychiatric nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to above average $132,680, according to BLS data.
Here’s how the psychiatric nurse pay bell curve plays out according to the BLS:
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Psychiatric Nurse Salaries
Aspiring psychiatric nurses can reach this goal by following 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, psychiatric 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 levels of education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), can raise a psychiatric nurse’s salary but may also change 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 Psychiatric Nurse Salaries
A psychiatric 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.
Psychiatric RNs can earn the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Certification (PMH-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which also offers the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC) for psychiatric nurse practitioners. For pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioners, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board offers a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) certification.
Location and Psychiatric Nurse Salaries
Salaries are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for psychiatric nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Psychiatric Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and northeastern states pay psychiatric nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| 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 Psychiatric Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, psychiatric 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 Psychiatric Nurse Salaries
Psychiatric nurses who work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) will make more than psychiatric registered nurses in any workplace, as they have more schooling and experience. In general, acute care facilities pay more than outpatient or home-care providers.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $96,830 | $46.55 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $94,440 | $45.40 |
| Home Health Care Services | $87,430 | $42.03 |
| Offices of Physicians | $83,110 | $39.96 |
Source: ZipRecruiter, BLS
How Fast Can a Psychiatric Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A psychiatric nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development and higher education. Psychiatric nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Psychiatric 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 Psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurse and a prospective employer will likely choose a psychiatric nurse with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For psychiatric 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
Psychiatric nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Psychiatric leadership roles can include managing a busy inpatient psych unit or administrative roles in a health system.
4. Change Your Workplace
Inpatient facilities often pay more than outpatient or other non-acute care facilities. Any psychiatric nurse working outside that setting can try shifting to acute care to earn higher pay.
Psychiatric Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for psychiatric nurses?
The highest-paid psychiatric 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 psychiatric nurses make per hour?
Psychiatric 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 psychiatric 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-Oakland-Hayward, CA boasts the highest salaries, at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
