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 2007 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 $38,940 with the salaries varying by practice area: nursing care facility - $40,550; hospitals - $37,790 ; physician office/clinic - $34,820; home care - $40,440; and employment agency - $43,700. (May 2007)
In Tennessee (2008) the average annual earnings of LPNs was $34,535 with a range of $26,890 to $38,995 (75th percentile) . Variances are based upon geographical location and setting. Annual Mean Salaries by area:
Chattanooga - $35,685 Clarksville - $33,310
Jackson - $30,090
Tri-Cities - $29,735
Knoxville - $32,050
Memphis - $40,120
Nashville/Murfreesboro - $37,210
West Non-Metropolitan - $31,785
Middle Non-Metropolitan - $30,650
East Non-Metropolitan - $31,220
The national average annual earnings of RNs was $62,480 with the salaries varying by practice area: hospitals - $63,820; nursing care facility - $56,410; physician office/clinic - $61,740; home care - $59,140; and employment agency - $67,570. (May 2007)
In Tennessee (2008) the average annual earnings for RNs was $55,905 with a range of $41,965 to $62,925 (75th percentile). Variances are based upon geographical location and setting. Annual Mean Salaries by area:
Chattanooga - $50,990 Clarksville - $54,795
Jackson - $52,575
Tri-Cities - $49,780
Knoxville - $53,635
Memphis - $59,980
Nashville/Murfreesboro - $58,115
West Non-Metropolitan - $49,560
Middle Non-Metropolitan - $54,050
East Non-Metropolitan - $55,355
According to the HotJobs.com & Salary.com, in 2008 hospital staff nurses in the United States earned an average of $59,716 yet with some additional education, nurses can increase their earning potential. Some examples of roles that generally require education beyond the basic level include: Clinical Nurse Specialists averaged $75,570; Nurse Midwives averaged $83,330; Nurse Anesthetists averaged $141,886; Nurse Practitioners averaged $80,414; Head Nurses averaged $88,854; Nurse Educators (hospital-based) averaged $71,297; Nursing Faculty averaged $62,743; Nursing Supervisors averaged $74,646; and Chief Nursing Officers averaged $170,888.