The latest survey of nursing salaries in the United States conducted by Medscape finds that RN salaries have stagnated since 2015 and the gender pay gap persists, with male nurses paid more at all levels and in all roles. Full-time RNs earned $81,000 in 2019, similar to RN salaries in 2015. However, salaries of LPNs rose steadily from $46,000 in 2017 to $50,000 in 2019.
Nurses working in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington earn the highest pay. The lowest-paid nurses work in Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Tennessee. Overall, 57% of RNs and 45% of LPNs felt they were paid fairly.
Most RNs work in acute care hospitals, compared to just 6% of LPNs, who primarily work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Nurses who work for hospitals and health care industry companies, such as insurance and health plans, have the highest salaries. The lowest-paid nurses work at schools or public health facilities. Among LPNs, those who work at skilled nursing facilities earn the highest salaries ($54,000), compared to LPN school nurses who are paid the lowest salaries ($36,000).
Although male nurses account for just 10% of RNs, and 9% of LPNs, they are paid more than their female counterparts. Male RNs earn $85,000 yearly, compared to $81,000 for female RNs, and male LPNs earn $55,000, compared to $49,000 for female LPNs. Male nurses likely earn more because they often work on inpatient hospital units, work more high differential shifts, or take on the role of charge nurse.
About half of RNs had specialty certifications, and 25% earned an average of $10,000 more in annual pay. Again, certified male nurses were paid more than certified female nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic caused 18% of RNs and 18% of LPNs to retire early. Another 3% of RNs and 5% of LPNs were laid off or fired as a result of COVID-19, and 2% of RNs and 4% of LPNs were furloughed.-Carol Potera