Publicly-Available National Report Includes Feedback From More Than 22,000 Nurses

Elite Learning, a comprehensive online learning destination that provides professionals in healthcare with convenient ways for managing and advancing their careers and continuing education, announced the results of its 2018 nationwide nursing salary survey. The survey, which includes nurses at every level from LPN to advanced practice, focused on specialization, location, education, and benefits was conducted by ADVANCE Healthcare Network, an Elite Learning company.

Within the top 20 specialties, the average salary is 23 percent higher for nursing professionals who pursue and obtain additional knowledge through ongoing and specialized education. Medical/Surgical was the most commonly reported specialty; on average these nurses earned more than 17 percent more than those without higher education. Out of the 68 specialty areas represented in the survey, 65 showed a positive correlation between education and salary.

“This year’s Nursing Salary Guide has the highest recorded response rate since the survey started 10 years ago,” said Janet Blanner, General Manager of Elite Learning. “Comprised of 35 questions, the findings conclude that continuing education, including the addition of specialized certifications, remains critical to nurses who want to learn new skills and increase their salary potential.”

On a state by state basis, nurses working full-time in California topped the chart averaging $106,000, while nurses in West Virginia earned an average salary of $63,000. The highest paying job in the nursing sector is Nurse Anesthetist at $150,000. Midwife and Nurse Practitioner are second and third both earning an average of $115,000. Nurses working in schools represented the lowest earners at $60,000.

While salary is typically based on years of experience, after 15 years this trend levels off. Nurses with 6-15 years’ experience earn 20-25 percent higher than nurses with 5 years or less experience. For nurses with 16-25 years’ experience, the increase was between 8-10 percent. After 25 years’ experience, the salary difference was statistically insignificant.

Other key survey findings include:

  • 50 percent of nurses worked overtime either on a volunteer or mandate basis
  • Nurses working in a not-for-profit facility made on average of $5,000 a year more than nurses working in for-profit hospitals
  • Unionized nurses earn an average of 10 percent more than their non-union peers
  • 55 percent of nurses received a cost of living or merit-based salary increase over the past year
  • Nursing remains a female-dominated profession; male nurses, who represent only 13 percent of the nurses within the United States, regardless of age and level of education, earned about 13 percent more than their female peers
  • 90 percent of survey respondents who work in multiple states hold more than one license

Download the 2018 Nursing Salary Guide or view the interactive state-by-state salary map. To learn more about Elite Learning, please visit elitecme.com/nursing/.

ABOUT ELITE LEARNING

Elite Learning is a comprehensive online learning destination that provides professionals with convenient ways for managing and advancing their careers, from required continuing education to news and resources. Featuring a proprietary learning platform and a comprehensive library of courses, Elite Learning offers CE to licensed professionals in healthcare, including nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, and others. Elite Learning helps professionals learn more so they can succeed in their careers. For more information, visit elitecme.com.

For Elite Learning Media InquiriesChristine Linder, 314-650-7580christine@spokemarketing.com