Nursing Salaries
Nursing salary ranges depend upon region of the country, type of education and experience, type of facility and job description. Facility size is a major factor in nursing salaries -- the larger the facilities and number and types of beds (ICU, med-surg, etc.) the higher the salary. Over the past few years, although nursing salaries have risen across the board, the largest increases have been for experienced nurses. Based on May 2012 Bureau of Labor statistics, the figures listed below are the national and Tennessee average nursing salaries. Additional salary information is available at Salary.Com
The national average annual earnings of LPNs was $41,540 with the salaries varying by practice area: nursing care facility - $43,570; hospitals - $41,330 ; physician office/clinic - $38,980; and home care - $43,920. (May 2012)
In Tennessee (2012) the average annual earnings of LPNs was $35,988 with a range of $30,696 to $40,358 (75th percentile) . Variances are based upon geographical location and setting. Annual Mean Salaries by area:
Chattanooga - $36,780 Clarksville - $39,950
Jackson - $32,470
Tri-Cities - $32,730
Knoxville - $35,500
Memphis - $39,660
Nashville/Murfreesboro - $39,120
West Non-Metropolitan - $33,430
Middle Non-Metropolitan - $33,560
East Non-Metropolitan - $34,340
The national average annual earnings of RNs was $65,470 with the salaries varying by practice area: hospitals - $69,490; nursing care facility - $61,220; physician office/clinic - $62,120; and home care - $65,530. (May 2012)
In Tennessee (2012) the average annual earnings for RNs was $59,520 with a range of $47,172 to $69,936 (75th percentile). Variances are based upon geographical location and setting. Annual Mean Salaries by area:
Chattanooga - $57,490 Clarksville - $60,030
Jackson - $53,860
Tri-Cities - $53,160
Knoxville - $60,480
Memphis - $65,950
Nashville/Murfreesboro - $64,460
West Non-Metropolitan - $56,330
Middle Non-Metropolitan - $57,760
East Non-Metropolitan - $52,510
According to the Salary.com website, hospital staff nurses in the United States earned an average of $66,713 yet with some additional education and experience, nurses can increase their earning potential. Some examples of roles that generally require education and experience beyond the basic level include: Clinical Nurse Specialists averaged $90,877; Nurse Midwives averaged $93,402; Nurse Anesthetists averaged $159,162; Nurse Practitioners averaged $91,900; Nurse Managers averaged $91,506; Nurse Educators (hospital-based) averaged $82,099; Nursing Faculty averaged $68,542; Nursing Supervisors averaged $81,976; and Chief Nursing Officers averaged $180,391.