Hey there nurse,

In 2024, the median salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States went up to $93,600 a year, or $45.00 an hour. There are more than 3.3 million nursing jobs across the country, and another 197,200 jobs are expected by 2033. That means nurses have a real chance to earn more money—if they make smart choices.

Being successful as a nurse isn't just about working hard. It's about making smart choices early. Here's a simple guide to help you go from student nurse to high-paid RN.

Pick the Right First Job

Your first job can make or break the first few years of your career. Choose wrong, and you’ll end up overworked, underpaid, and stuck. Choose right, and you set yourself up for faster raises, leadership opportunities, and real financial stability.

Hospitals are competing hard for good nurses right now — and some are putting real money behind it.
In 2023, Palomar Health in California offered $100,000 bonuses to nurses who signed on or stayed for three years. The result? They fully staffed departments that used to rely heavily on expensive contract labor. It worked because they invested in their team — not just in short-term fixes.

What this means for you:

• Don’t jump at the first offer.

• Look for places investing in retention, not just hiring.

• Ask about bonuses, wellness programs, and leadership training.

A hospital willing to pay for your loyalty upfront is a hospital worth considering.
Anything less and you should keep moving.

Certify. Specialize. Earn More.

If you want to earn more and move up faster, certifications are one of the smartest investments you can make. Nurses with specialized certifications are in high demand — and hospitals pay more for that skillset.

At a minimum, every practicing nurse should have these three certifications:

• BLS (Basic Life Support): Covers CPR, AED, and emergency responses. It takes about 5 hours and needs to be renewed every two years.

• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): Focuses on treating adults with cardiac emergencies. The course takes about 15 hours and renews every two years.

• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support): Focuses on emergency care for infants and children. Takes about 8 hours to complete and also renews every two years.

These are the basics — but serious career growth comes from stacking more advanced certifications.

Here are some to seriously consider:

Key Things to Know:

• Most certifications require experience plus passing an exam.

• Renewal timelines vary — make sure you budget for re-certifications.

• Some certifications cost a few hundred dollars upfront but pay off quickly with higher job offers.

Certifications are not just nice extras anymore. They’re powerful career tools that can boost your salary, expand your job options, and help you move into leadership roles faster.

Where You Work Can Cost You

Where you live matters as much as what you earn.
A big salary looks great on paper — but housing costs, taxes, and everyday expenses decide how much you actually keep.

Here’s a look at five popular cities, sorted by median salary:

Quick Takeaways:

• San Francisco pays the most, but housing costs leave almost nothing after buying a home.

• Boston salaries are strong, but mortgage costs eat into savings fast.

• Houston offers a great middle ground: good salary, good leftover money.

• Miami salaries are decent, but rent and home prices tighten the budget.

• Birmingham pays less upfront — but leaves you with the most money after living costs.

Bottom line:
It’s not about the biggest paycheck. It’s about where your paycheck stretches the furthest — so you can save, invest, and live well.

Pick a Specialty That Grows

Choosing a specialty isn’t just about what you enjoy today. Some areas of nursing will always be in demand — and that matters for your future.

Critical care, surgery, mental health, elderly care, and telehealth are all growing fast.

Specializing early helps you build expertise, and experts earn more.

Think about where you want to be five or ten years from now — and pick a lane that stays in demand.

Try Travel Nursing

Travel nursing can be one of the highest-paying paths in nursing today. In July 2024, ZipRecruiter reported that the average salary for a travel nurse in the United States is $101,132 per year. That works out to about $8,427 a month, $1,944 a week, or $48.62 an hour.

Salaries can vary a lot. Nurses in the 25th percentile earn around $73,500 a year, while those at the top—the 90th percentile—can make as much as $132,500.

Here’s a breakdown of what travel nurses are earning:

Travel nursing isn’t just a way to see new places. It can be a powerful financial move when you pick contracts carefully and plan your savings along the way.

Learn How to Ask for More

Negotiating your salary is not optional — it's necessary.

If you leave your salary up to the employer, you risk being locked into a lower pay rate that barely moves year after year. Nurses are in demand, and that demand gives you the power to ask for more.

Before negotiating, do your homework:

• Research salaries for your role and region.

• Know the job description inside and out.

• Wait for the employer to make the first offer.

• Prepare a realistic salary range based on your research.

• Factor in bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and schedule flexibility as part of your negotiation.

Timing matters. Never negotiate before you have a formal offer in hand. Let them tell you the number first. If it's lower than you expected, ask about the budget for the role or what they paid the previous employee.

Education and experience also matter. If you have a BSN, for example, you are worth significantly more. As of October 2024, nurses with a BSN average $125,323 annually compared to $80,707 for those with an ADN. Certifications like CRNA, NP, or CNM can push your value even higher.

Bottom line: The first offer is a starting point, not a finish line. Knowing your worth — and asking for it — can change your entire financial trajectory.

Protect Your Paycheck

Nursing is hard on your body. Nurses get hurt three times more often than other workers. Disability insurance, which costs about $30 to $50 a month, can protect your paycheck if you get hurt.

Think of it as a safety net.

Plan for "What If"

By your second or third year as an RN, have a backup plan. Keep your resume fresh. Save three to six months of living costs. Learn extra skills like telehealth or education.

"Dig the well before you are thirsty," people say. In nursing, it makes a lot of sense.

Find Extra Ways to Grow Your Money

Small choices add up over time. Picking up a few per diem shifts can add $1,000 to $2,000 a month. Moving to a no-income-tax state like Texas or Florida can raise your take-home pay by 4% to 6%, but working in a state, which pays 1.5x pay after your 8th hour of work, or 2x pay after your 12th hour can 10x your income.

Saving through a Health Savings Account (HSA) also helps you build tax-free money for healthcare needs.

Final Thought

If I were giving you advice as a friend, I'd say this: Don't just hope your nursing career works out. Plan it. Make choices that give you better options later on.

When you know what you want and go after it on purpose, you build a career that's solid—one that actually takes care of you, not just pays the bills.

Map My Pay is launching soon to help nurses like you find the best jobs, cities, and financial strategies. Follow @mapmypay to start planning your next move.

Until next time,

The Map My Pay Team