Nurse Salaries / ER Nurse Salary
Emergency Room nurses work at the frontlines of health care and treat patients who are in dire need of medical attention. However, not every ER patient is in critical condition. ER nurses can expect to have a lot of variety, seeing many different patients and conditions.
While registered nurses overall in the United States receive $82,750 per year according to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, ER nurses are among the highest-paid. According to data from Incredible Health, the average salary for ED/ER nurses is $91,071 which also translates to $43.78/hr.
This hourly rate puts the average ER nurse salary at about 8% higher than a the average registered nurse’s median wage. Remember that this number is just the aggregate average salary and does not take into account nursing salaries that consider unit position, experience level, and other factors.
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Nursing positions are among the top in-demand jobs in the country, and experts project at least 9% between 2020 and 2030. Additionally, there is a shortage of professionals in the field. These primary factors contribute to higher ED/ER nursing salaries and a strong outlook for the career path.
ER nurse salaries by state
ER nurse salaries vary by state since there is a different cost of living in every area.
For example, you may earn a larger paycheck as a staff ER nurse in Hawaii because the cost of living is about 12% higher than the country’s average.
Conversely, in Mississippi, ER nurses may earn less than other states because the cost of living is about 12% less than the country’s average.
The top five highest-paying cities for nurses, including ER nurses (without factoring in the cost of living) include the following:
| State | Salary | COL Adjusted Salary | Local Estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | $106,529 | Get Local Estimate |
| Hawaii | $106,530 | $89,296 | Get Local Estimate |
| Oregon | $98,630 | $96,131 | Get Local Estimate |
| Alaska | $97,230 | $92,512 | Get Local Estimate |
| Massachusetts | $96,630 | $87,527 | Get Local Estimate |
The top five highest-paying states for nurses, including ER nurses (adjusted for cost of living) are the following:
| State | Salary | COL Adjusted Salary | Local Estimates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | $106,529 | Get Local Estimate |
| Oregon | $98,630 | $96,131 | Get Local Estimate |
| Alaska | $97,230 | $92,512 | Get Local Estimate |
| Nevada | $97,230 | $92,146 | Get Local Estimate |
| Hawaii | $106,530 | $89,296 | Get Local Estimate |
Frequently asked questions about ER nurses
The skillset of ER and ICU nurses is similar since both need to know how to treat critical level patients. ER nurses are the initial nurse that will be seen when an emergency patient enters the hospital. If this patient is in critical condition, they’ll then be transferred to an ICU for further care. ER nurses may also see less critical patients who are simply treated and then discharged or transferred to less critical floors like med-surg.
ER nurses can typically expect a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 but this can vary depending on the hospital and staffing conditions.
BLS and ACLS certification are required by most emergency departments but certification requirements vary by hospital. Some may also require PALS, CEN, or TCRN certifications.
Top ER nurse jobs on Incredible Health
🏥 Registered Nurse – Emergency Department
McKinney, TX | $54,000 to $111,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Emergency Department
Fairfax, VA | $69,000 to $109,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Emergency Department
Dearborn, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Emergency Department
Aventura, FL | $55,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Emergency Department
Paoli, PA | $65,000 to $95,000 /year
Sources
- “Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook.” bls.gov. Accessed July 6, 2022.
- “Average Rent by State 2022.” worldpopulationreview.com. Accessed July 6, 2022.
- “AACN Fact Sheet – Nursing Shortage.” aacnnursing.org. Accessed July 6, 2022.
