As the demand for nurses continues to grow, it’s no surprise that nurse compensation is a popular topic of conversation. But what does this mean for nurse salaries? How do hourly wages and salaried positions differ when comparing job duties and financial rewards? Whether you’re studying nursing or currently in the field, understanding how compensation works can make all the difference in your overall earning potential.
In this blog post, we are going to take a look at nurse salary vs hourly wage – outlining both methods of pay while highlighting essential differences between them. We will also discuss are nurses salaried or hourly? Hopefully, with more insight into these different types of compensation packages, you’ll better understand which could offer more significant financial benefit for your future as a nurse.
Table of Contents
Are Nurses Paid Hourly or Salary?
It depends on the type of nursing job. Most hospital-based nurses work salaried, while many home health care and private practice nurses are paid hourly. The best way to determine which type of pay structure your prospective employer offers is to ask during the interview process. I hope now you got the answer whether nurses salary or hourly.
What is an hourly Wage?
Your hourly rate is the payment you get for each hour you work. As an hourly employee, you should get paid for all of the working hours that you work. If an employer needs more time, they must pay you more.
For example, if you work 25 hours and 30 minutes, you’ll get paid for 25.5 hours. If your hourly rate is $17.50, you’ll receive $446.25 for your time:
$17.50 x 25.5.
What is a salary?
Salary is a consistent payment to an employee based on working a full-time position. Employers typically generally distribute salaries on a monthly, bimonthly basis or quarterly, but some businesses pay salaries out yearly.
Each salary is a fixed amount. For example, you’ll get $5,000 per month before taxes with a salary of $60,000 annually. This is called gross pay; the amount after taxes is net pay.
Nurses Salary Chart
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the national average pay for nurses varies depending on their specialty. The 2019 mean pay ranged from $29,640 for certified nursing assistants to $115,800 for nurse anesthetists.
Whatever your nursing career choice, the key is to research to ensure your earning potential aligns with your skills and experience.
Nationally, the 2019 mean pay for these nursing careers was as follows:
| Nursing Career | 2019 Mean Salary |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $30,720 |
| (LPN/LVN) | $48,500 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | $77,460 |
| Nurse Practitioners (NP) | $111,840 |
| Nurse Midwife (CNM) | $108,810 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $181,040 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,160 |
Are Nurses Paid More Than Doctors?
Regarding income, it is factual that physicians typically receive higher earnings than registered nurses. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physicians and surgeons surpasses that of registered nurses by a significant margin.
Debunking the Myth
The notion of nurses out-earning doctors is largely a misconception. At the same time, it’s true that in certain situations, a highly experienced nurse in a specialized field may earn more than a lower-earning doctor; most medical professionals, including physicians, surgeons, and anesthesiologists, command significantly higher salaries than the average nurse.
Nevertheless, nursing also presents attractive remuneration packages and pathways for career progression, particularly for individuals who specialize in specific areas or assume leadership positions within healthcare institutions.
Advantages of Working an Hourly Nursing Job
Let’s start by discussing some of the advantages hourly nursing jobs.
1. Professional and Personal Life Balance
One of the most significant advantages of an hourly nursing job is that it offers an outstanding balance between professional and personal life. Many nurses find that working by the hour gives them more flexibility regarding when they work, allowing them to manage their other commitments without feeling too pressured or stressed.
2. Easy Overtime Opportunities
Hourly nursing jobs often come with the potential for overtime. This is a great way of earning more money, as you can be compensated for extra hours worked beyond your regular shifts.
3. Easier to Learn New Job Skills
An hourly job can allow you to take on new clinical responsibilities without being tied to a long-term commitment. This can be beneficial for nurses just starting in the field and looking to gain experience and those who want to explore different job avenues that may require additional clinical skills.
4. More Accessible Benefits
Hourly nursing jobs usually offer access to competitive benefits packages such as health insurance, vacation duration, and sick leave. This can be a great incentive for those looking to make the most of their hourly wages.
5. Higher Hourly Wage
Because hourly jobs are typically easier to find than salaried ones, they often come with higher hourly wages—leading to more significant overall earning potential.
Advantages of Working a Nursing Job with a Salary
Now let’s look at the advantages of a nursing job with a salary.
1. Stability and Security
Salaried nursing jobs are much more secure than hourly jobs, as they provide guaranteed pay regardless of how many hours you work or what happens to your employer. This can be an excellent way to ensure you are compensated fairly and securely.
2. More Flexible Hours
Unlike hourly nursing jobs, salaried positions allow you to determine your schedule and work hours without worrying about overtime pay or compensating for missed shifts. This can give you greater freedom and control over your time at the hospital or clinic.
3. Long-term Career Opportunities
Salaried nursing jobs can provide more long-term career opportunities, as they often come with higher pay scales and better job security. This can be an attractive option for nurses who want to advance their careers to a managerial level or beyond.
4. Increased Job Satisfaction
Research has shown that salaried nurses are more likely to experience greater job satisfaction than their hourly counterparts—likely due to the stability and security of the position. Knowing that you’re in a good job with fair compensation and benefits could calm you.
5. Benefits Beyond Salary
Salaried nursing jobs offer a range of benefits beyond salary, including retirement packages and other perks that can further increase your financial security. This could be attractive for those looking to make the most of their earnings.
Federal Overtime Law Covers Nurses
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a critical federal law that regulates how employers pay their workers. Under the FLSA, employers must provide their employees with fair compensation, including paying them at least the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and giving them time and a half for all hours worked over forty in a week. This critical legislation often ensures that nurses receive adequate compensation for their time and effort.
However, some employers need to pay more attention to the FLSA’s guidelines, neglecting to provide nurses with proper overtime pay. If you’re a nurse facing an employer refusing to pay you fairly, know that you have rights under the FLSA, and resources are available to help you fight for your deserved compensation.
As an employee, it’s always important to know your rights when working over 40 hours in a seven-day work week. Thanks to labor laws, any time you work overtime, your employer must pay you 1.5 times your hourly rate. This law ensures you are compensated for your extra time and hard work.
However, it’s also essential to remember that any additional bonuses your employer offers, such as premium pay for hard-to-fill shifts, are not mandated by law. These bonuses incentivize employees to go above and beyond and take additional shifts. So, if you want to earn a bit more extra cash, keep your eyes peeled for these bonus opportunities.
For example, the FLSA does not require:
- vacation, holiday, severance, or sick pay;
- meal or rest periods, holidays off, or breaks;
- premium pay for weekend or holiday work;
- Pay raises or bonuses;
- a discharge notice, reason for discharge, or immediate payment of final wages to terminated employees.
Do nurses get paid hourly? Yes, nurses do get paid hourly. The majority of nursing jobs are paid on an hourly basis following the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Which position is better compensated?
Overall, it depends on the individual nurse and their particular situation. Salaried jobs generally offer higher pay scales and more benefit packages than hourly positions, but they may require a longer commitment of time at work.
On the other hand, hourly jobs often provide greater flexibility and easier access to overtime pay—which could benefit those looking to supplement their income. Ultimately, it’s essential to consider your needs before deciding which nursing job is right for you.
Good luck. The right decision will depend on what fits best with your lifestyle and career goals.
How To Calculate Nurse Compensation?
Let’s say a nurse is paid an annual salary of $72,000. That works out to $6,000 per month before taxes.
The nurse’s hourly rate is $34.62, calculated by dividing the annual salary of $72,000 by 2080 hours (40 hours/week x 52 weeks).
If the nurse works 40 hours per week, they will earn $1,385.20 per week, calculated by multiplying their hourly rate of $34.62 by 40 hours.
If the nurse works 50 hours per week, they will earn $1,732.75 per week, calculated by multiplying their hourly rate of $34.62 by 50 hours.
The nurse’s yearly hourly earnings will be $73,770.40, calculated by multiplying their hourly rate of $34.62 by 2080 hours (40 hours/week x 52).
Whether you choose a salaried or hourly nursing job, it’s essential to understand the compensation structure and ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your time and work.
Final Thoughts
We hope you got the answer about are nurses paid hourly or salary. Salaried nursing jobs typically offer higher pay scales and more benefit packages than their hourly counterparts, but they may require a longer commitment of time at work. Hourly jobs offer greater flexibility and easier access to overtime pay, which could benefit those looking to supplement their income.
Ultimately, it’s essential to understand that every nursing job is unique and has its advantages and disadvantages. Whether you choose an hourly or salaried position depends on your needs and preferences. With more insight into these different compensation packages, you’ll better understand which could offer more significant financial benefits for your future as a nurse.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.