Pediatric Nursing: Salaries, Benefits, and Everything You Need to Know
As we age, our bodies require care tailored to the stage of life we’re in. Pediatric nurses (RNs or APRNs) are registered nurses who provide care to babies, children, and adolescents. These nurses are highly specialized in providing care to those in the early stages of life. After gaining experience, pediatric nurses can take an exam to become certified pediatric nurses.
Peds nursing is appealing to many registered nurses, as you get to help provide promising futures to young patients. However, pediatric nursing is more than just an emotionally fulfilling job: this specialty provides job security, variety, and room for career growth. Pediatric nurses can also expect to make a good living, with salaries reported well above the national average.
At SnapCare, we are proud to support nurses across specialties in their career journey. This guide includes the salary information you need for pediatric nursing.
What Does a Pediatric Nurse Do?
A Pediatric Nurse provides care to children from infancy all the way through to age 18, seeing patients for preventative care and with various conditions in different stages of development.
Depending on a given care setting, the day-to-day responsibilities of a pediatric nurse could look very different. When working in a clinic setting, nurses often work regular business hours and see patients for regular primary care or specialty care. A clinic nurse administers vaccines and other medications as well as greets patients, schedules appointments, and answers questions by phone.
When working in a hospital or specialty hospital, nurses usually work longer shifts - up to 12 hours at a time – and can work nights or weekends. They monitor vital signs, treat, educate, and give IV medications. When working in more specialized hospitals or units, pediatric nurses can expect to provide more specialized care depending on needs and conditions.
It’s difficult to say what an average day would look like for pediatric nurses because so much varies depending on care setting, health status, and the age of a patient. If you are looking for variety and a level of unpredictability in your job, pediatric nursing is a great choice.
How Much Do Pediatric Nurses Make?
The average pediatric nursing salary varies a bit depending on the data you’re looking at:
According to Salary.com, the average salary is $85,700 annually.
ZipRecruiter reports the average is $109,492 annually.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Registered Nurses make on average $93,600 per year, but this does not take specialty into account.
When it comes to salary ranges, the data again varies:
Salary.com reports that the top 10% of pediatric nurses make $104,422 per year, while the bottom 10% make $71,754 per year.
ZipRecruiter reports that the range is much larger, with salaries ranging from $48,500 per year to $183,000 per year.
Factors That Influence a Pediatric Nurse's Salary
As a pediatric nurse, there are many factors that influence your pay range, including:
Years of Experience: Nurses typically see pay increases as they gain experience in their specialty.
Seniority: As you gain seniority, you may see your pay increase. This can look like taking on leadership roles in your work setting or earning certifications.
Region: Location is one of the chief factors in pay differences. Factors such as cost of living and unions greatly affect salaries in each area. Generally, you can expect to make more working in a larger metropolitan area compared to rural areas.
Work Setting: Depending on the setting where you choose to work, you may see a difference in your pay. For instance, if you work in a more acute setting, like in a hospital or a surgical center, you may receive higher pay. Additionally, if you work in an inpatient setting, like a hospital, you typically will have more overtime opportunities and shift differential pay for working nights, weekends, or holidays.
Pediatric Nurse Average Salary Levels by Seniority and Years of Experience
Generally, as you gain relevant experience as a nurse, you will have higher earning potential year after year.
New nurses will usually start at the lower end of the salary spectrum, especially when training as a new grad. After you start taking on your own patients, you can usually expect a small pay bump. Then you can expect an increase in pay annually as you gain years of experience. Here’s an example of what a nursing wage scale might look like:
Step | Years of Experience | Hourly Rate |
1 | <1 Year | $45.00 |
2 | 1 Year | $46.50 |
3 | 6 Years | $47.27 |
4 | 12 Years | $48.50 |
5 | 15 Years | $49.58 |
Total Compensation
In addition to an hourly base wage, nurses can earn overtime pay and shift differentials for working longer hours or taking on more responsibility.
Differential | Hourly Increase |
Eve | $1.65 |
Night | $2.25 |
Weekend | $1.00 |
Charge Nurse | $1.00 |
You can also see here that nurses will get paid differentials for working specific hours – like nights – or taking on more responsibility – like working as the charge nurse on the unit.
Depending on the contract and employment type, pediatric nurses can earn additional non-monetary benefits as part of their total compensation. These benefits may include things like retirement plans and health coverage.
When you work with SnapCare, you’ll benefit from a suite of comprehensive benefits designed to support clinicians, including:
Same-day pay
Flexible scheduling
24/7 clinician support
Comprehensive medical plans and vision & dental coverage
Multiple cash bonus opportunities through our Clinician Recognition and Referral Programs
Pediatric Nurse Salaries per Region
Location is one of the major factors influencing pediatric nursing salaries. Due to differences in cost-of-living and union representation, it is expected to see major differences in nursing salaries by state and even city. Nursing salaries are generally higher in major metropolitan areas compared to rural areas. Below, you can review the average pay rates across different states in the US:
State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
Washington | $124,010 | $10,334 | $2,384 | $59.62 |
District of Columbia | $123,728 | $10,310 | $2,379 | $59.48 |
New York | $119,788 | $9,982 | $2,303 | $57.59 |
Massachusetts | $119,578 | $9,964 | $2,299 | $57.49 |
Alaska | $117,916 | $9,826 | $2,267 | $56.69 |
Vermont | $116,417 | $9,701 | $2,238 | $55.97 |
North Dakota | $115,851 | $9,654 | $2,227 | $55.70 |
Oregon | $115,764 | $9,647 | $2,226 | $55.66 |
Colorado | $115,132 | $9,594 | $2,214 | $55.35 |
Hawaii | $113,757 | $9,479 | $2,187 | $54.69 |
Nevada | $111,496 | $9,291 | $2,144 | $53.60 |
New Jersey | $111,160 | $9,263 | $2,137 | $53.44 |
Wisconsin | $110,516 | $9,209 | $2,125 | $53.13 |
Pennsylvania | $109,755 | $9,146 | $2,110 | $52.77 |
Delaware | $109,586 | $9,132 | $2,107 | $52.69 |
South Dakota | $109,492 | $9,124 | $2,105 | $52.64 |
Virginia | $108,552 | $9,046 | $2,087 | $52.19 |
California | $108,058 | $9,004 | $2,078 | $51.95 |
Minnesota | $107,237 | $8,936 | $2,062 | $51.56 |
Rhode Island | $107,226 | $8,935 | $2,062 | $51.55 |
New Hampshire | $106,482 | $8,873 | $2,047 | $51.19 |
Maryland | $106,266 | $8,855 | $2,043 | $51.09 |
New Mexico | $106,105 | $8,842 | $2,040 | $51.01 |
Illinois | $106,100 | $8,841 | $2,040 | $51.01 |
Maine | $106,010 | $8,834 | $2,038 | $50.97 |
Wyoming | $105,246 | $8,770 | $2,023 | $50.60 |
Nebraska | $104,395 | $8,699 | $2,007 | $50.19 |
Indiana | $104,188 | $8,682 | $2,003 | $50.09 |
Connecticut | $104,158 | $8,679 | $2,003 | $50.08 |
Ohio | $104,093 | $8,674 | $2,001 | $50.04 |
Mississippi | $103,696 | $8,641 | $1,994 | $49.85 |
Idaho | $103,020 | $8,585 | $1,981 | $49.53 |
Iowa | $102,842 | $8,570 | $1,977 | $49.44 |
Missouri | $102,704 | $8,558 | $1,975 | $49.38 |
Arizona | $102,034 | $8,502 | $1,962 | $49.05 |
Texas | $102,008 | $8,500 | $1,961 | $49.04 |
South Carolina | $101,603 | $8,466 | $1,953 | $48.85 |
Oklahoma | $101,097 | $8,424 | $1,944 | $48.60 |
Montana | $100,496 | $8,374 | $1,932 | $48.32 |
Utah | $99,678 | $8,306 | $1,916 | $47.92 |
North Carolina | $99,506 | $8,292 | $1,913 | $47.84 |
Tennessee | $99,376 | $8,281 | $1,911 | $47.78 |
Alabama | $99,242 | $8,270 | $1,908 | $47.71 |
Kansas | $97,650 | $8,137 | $1,877 | $46.95 |
Michigan | $95,432 | $7,952 | $1,835 | $45.88 |
Kentucky | $95,096 | $7,924 | $1,828 | $45.72 |
Louisiana | $93,629 | $7,802 | $1,800 | $45.01 |
Georgia | $92,453 | $7,704 | $1,777 | $44.45 |
Arkansas | $90,539 | $7,544 | $1,741 | $43.53 |
West Virginia | $84,765 | $7,063 | $1,630 | $40.75 |
Florida | $81,822 | $6,818 | $1,573 | $39.34 |
Source: Zip Recruiter
How do Pediatric Nurse Salaries Compare to Other Jobs?
On average, pediatric nursing salaries are anywhere from 20% to 44% higher than the national average salary.
Careers | Required Entry-Level Education | Median Salaries |
Pediatric Nurses | Bachelor’s degree | $96,264* |
Certified Nursing Assistant | High school diploma & state-approved program | $39,430 |
Phlebotomist | Postsecondary nondegree award | $43,660 |
Radiologic & MRI Techs | Associate’s degree | $78,980 |
Speech Language Pathologists | Master’s degree | $95,410 |
Source: BLS *Average taken from Salary.com, ZipRecruiter, and BLS data
According to the BLS, it is expected that the nursing industry will grow by 5%, which is faster than average, and the total number of nurses needed will increase by over 160,000 nurses from 2024-2034.
Compared to other degrees in healthcare, pediatric nurses typically earn more money compared to the level of education required. While it is encouraged that pediatric nurses become certified and continue their education in the specialty, it is not required, and these certifications can be completed while working.
Additionally, with a career in pediatric nursing, you have the option to work how and where you want. There is always the option to pick up PRN, or per diem, shifts to earn extra money while leaning into the flexibility the nursing profession offers.
Build a Rewarding Career in Pediatric Nursing with SnapCare
Pediatric nursing is a rewarding career that allows those with a passion for nursing and a love for working with kids to make a difference. This career offers unique opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
For those looking for a challenge, there are intensive care roles where you can specifically work with pediatric patients. If you’re looking for a more 9-5 work schedule, there’s the option to work in outpatient settings. Regardless of what you’re looking for in your career, pediatric nursing offers a path forward.
Ready to get started? Check out exciting pediatric nursing opportunities on our job board.