Table of Contents
Top 5 Highest Paying States for ER RNs:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for ER RNs:What is the average incentive bonus for an Emergency Room RN Job?Employed vs. self-employed ER RN JobHow to do an effective Emergency Room RN job searchWhat is the average salary of an emergency room RN in the U.S.?Do ER nurses earn more than other RNs?How much do travel RN nurses make?What factors influence an ER nurse’s salary?Do RN nurses receive bonuses?Emergency Room Nurse Job Description (outlook)
An emergency room (ER) nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in providing urgent and critical care to patients in an emergency department, urgent care center, trauma units or an acute care facility. They assess and triage patients based on condition severity, administer medication and treatment, and perform emergency procedures.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. The demand for ER nurses is even higher secondary to an aging population, a rise in chronic disease, an increase in ER visits, and nursing shortages in many regions.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Emergency Room RN Jobs in the US
Specific salary data varies by state and over time. The salary for a ER nurse is influenced by the demand for nurses, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to nurse.org, the highest and lowest paying states for ER RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for ER RNs:
1. Oregon
2. Alaska
3. North Dakota
4. Massachusetts
5. Hawaii
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for ER RNs:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Louisiana
4. George
5. Tennessee
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/emergency-room-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The median salary for an ER nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and the employing institution. An entry-level salary for those starting their career is around $103,671 annually, which is $49.94 per hour. Nursing salaries increase with experience. The average and median salary of an ER RN is around $93,134 per year. Those with an advanced certification can earn more.
A traveling ER nurse will receive a higher hourly rate because of their temporary job status. The average salary for a travel ER nurse is approximately $2,632 per week or $136,864 annually. Experienced traveling ER nurses in high-demand areas can earn more. Those who are willing to work nights, weekends or holidays or have assignments in specialized hospitals can earn premium pay.
Average Emergency RN Salary by State (for non-traveling ER)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $73,549 | $1,414 | $35.36 |
| Alaska | $81,873 | $1,574 | $39.36 |
| Arizona | $81,835 | $1,573 | $39.34 |
| Arkansas | $73,627 | $1,415 | $35.40 |
| California | $113,512 | $2,182 | $54.57 |
| Colorado | $74,367 | $1,430 | $35.75 |
| Connecticut | $98,196 | $1,888 | $47.21 |
| Delaware | $85,610 | $1,646 | $41.16 |
| Florida | $76,949 | $1,480 | $36.99 |
| Georgia | $78,390 | $1,507 | $37.69 |
| Hawaii | $138,666 | $2,666 | $66.67 |
| Idaho | $78,008 | $1,500 | $37.50 |
| Illinois | $82,399 | $1,584 | $39.61 |
| Indiana | $70,757 | $1,360 | $34.02 |
| Iowa | $64,287 | $1,236 | $30.91 |
| Kansas | $71,271 | $1,370 | $34.26 |
| Kentucky | $82,123 | $1,579 | $39.48 |
| Louisiana | $79,558 | $1,529 | $38.25 |
| Maine | $77,363 | $1,487 | $37.19 |
| Maryland | $86,506 | $1,663 | $41.59 |
| Massachusetts | $109,099 | $2,098 | $52.45 |
| Michigan | $91,018 | $1,750 | $43.76 |
| Minnesota | $83,190 | $1,599 | $40.00 |
| Mississippi | $74,461 | $1,431 | $35.80 |
| Missouri | $76,711 | $1,475 | $36.88 |
| Montana | $77,984 | $1,499 | $37.49 |
| Nebraska | $70,751 | $1,360 | $34.01 |
| Nevada | $92,878 | $1,786 | $44.65 |
| New Hampshire | $97,547 | $1,875 | $46.90 |
| New Jersey | $90,907 | $1,748 | $43.71 |
| New Mexico | $87,373 | $1,680 | $42.01 |
| New York | $106,369 | $2,045 | $51.14 |
| North Carolina | $79,178 | $1,522 | $38.07 |
| North Dakota | $71,653 | $1,337 | $34.45 |
| Ohio | $88,442 | $1,700 | $42.52 |
| Oklahoma | $67,337 | $1,294 | $32.37 |
| Oregon | $93,086 | $1,790 | $44.75 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,990 | $1,672 | $41.82 |
| Rhode Island | $104,571 | $2,010 | $50.27 |
| South Carolina | $66,073 | $1,270 | $31.77 |
| South Dakota | $67,796 | $1,303 | $32.59 |
| Tennessee | $76,667 | $1,474 | $36.86 |
| Texas | $74,757 | $1,437 | $35.94 |
| Utah | $71,582 | $1,376 | $34.41 |
| Vermont | $80,555 | $1,549 | $38.73 |
| Virginia | $85,819 | $1,650 | $41.26 |
| Washington | $78,842 | $1,516 | $36.69 |
| West Virginia | $80,474 | $1,547 | $37.90 |
| Wisconsin | $82,777 | $1,591 | $39.80 |
| Wyoming | $78,330 | $1,506 | $37.66 |
**Data from Zippia
Average ER RN Job Salary by State (for traveling ER)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $91,665 | $1,762 | $44.07 |
| Alaska | $108,913 | $2,094 | $52.36 |
| Arizona | $94,244 | $1,812 | $45.31 |
| Arkansas | $83,626 | $1,608 | $40.20 |
| California | $99,808 | $1,919 | $47.98 |
| Colorado | $106,342 | $2,045 | $51.13 |
| Connecticut | $96,205 | $1,850 | $46.25 |
| Delaware | $101,219 | $1,946 | $48.66 |
| Florida | $75,575 | $1,453 | $36.33 |
| Georgia | $85,394 | $1,642 | $41.05 |
| Hawaii | $105,072 | $2,020 | $50.52 |
| Idaho | $95,154 | $1,829 | $45.75 |
| Illinois | $97,999 | $1,884 | $47.11 |
| Indiana | $96,233 | $1,850 | $46.27 |
| Iowa | $94,990 | $1,826 | $45.67 |
| Kansas | $90,194 | $1,734 | $43.36 |
| Kentucky | $87,836 | $1,689 | $42.23 |
| Louisiana | $86,480 | $1,663 | $41.58 |
| Maine | $97,916 | $1,883 | $47.08 |
| Maryland | $98,153 | $1,887 | $47.19 |
| Massachusetts | $110,449 | $2,124 | $53.10 |
| Michigan | $88,146 | $1,695 | $42.38 |
| Minnesota | $99,050 | $1,904 | $47.62 |
| Mississippi | $95,779 | $1,841 | $46.05 |
| Missouri | $94,862 | $1,824 | $45.61 |
| Montana | $92,823 | $1,785 | $44.63 |
| Nebraska | $96,424 | $1,854 | $46.36 |
| Nevada | $102,983 | $1,980 | $49.51 |
| New Hampshire | $98,352 | $1,891 | $47.28 |
| New Jersey | $102,673 | $1,974 | $49.36 |
| New Mexico | $98,004 | $1,884 | $47.12 |
| New York | $110,642 | $2,127 | $53.19 |
| North Carolina | $91,909 | $1,767 | $44.19 |
| North Dakota | $107,006 | $2,057 | $51.45 |
| Ohio | $96,146 | $1,848 | $46.22 |
| Oklahoma | $93,379 | $1,795 | $44.89 |
| Oregon | $106,925 | $2,056 | $51.41 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,375 | $1,949 | $48.74 |
| Rhode Island | $99,040 | $1,904 | $47.62 |
| South Carolina | $93,846 | $1,804 | $45.12 |
| South Dakota | $101,132 | $1,944 | $48.62 |
| Tennessee | $91,789 | $1,765 | $44.13 |
| Texas | $94,220 | $1,811 | $45.30 |
| Utah | $92,068 | $1,770 | $44.26 |
| Vermont | $107,529 | $2,067 | $51.70 |
| Virginia | $100,264 | $1,928 | $48.20 |
| Washington | $114,542 | $2,202 | $55.07 |
| West Virginia | $78,293 | $1,505 | $37.64 |
| Wisconsin | $102,078 | $1,963 | $49.08 |
| Wyoming | $97,210 | $1,869 | $46.74 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter
What is the average incentive bonus for an Emergency Room RN Job?
The average bonus for an ER RN can vary. Many ER nurses can earn sign-on bonuses, and bonuses for taking on more shifts or filling staffing shortages. Sign-on bonuses can be as high as $10,000-$20,000 depending on demand in the area, facility and the level of experience required. Bonuses for picking up extra shifts varies based on facility policies. Some internet sites show bonuses of $150 for a 4-hour shift, $300 for an 8-hour shift, and $375 for a 12-hour shift.
Employed vs. self-employed ER RN Job
Salaries will vary between employed and self-employed nurses. Employed RNs have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system and have less financial risk and flexibility in scheduling.
A self-employed or travel ER RN will work independently with a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They may also have tax advantages if they properly manage expenses as a business entity.
How to do an effective Emergency Room RN job search
We make it easy to find an RN position with PRNHealthcare. Use the position job search bar by searching “I am a RN” and select ER as your specialty. Finally, use the location bar to select your state and city of choice.
Most common benefits for an ER RN
Being an ER RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1. Job Security- ER RNs are always in high demand because emergency care is a vital aspect of healthcare.
2. Specialized Skill Development- ER nurses have an opportunity to specialize in areas like trauma nursing, flight nursing, or critical care transport. They can also pursue further education and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).
3. Work-Life Balance-. ER Nurses can choose between full-time, part-time, and per diem positions, and those who traveling have even more control over their schedules.
4.Emotional Fulfillment- ER nurses have important relationships with patients and their families. They save lives, make an immediate impact on patient care, and experience high job satisfaction from helping people in critical situations.
5.Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, ER nurses are provided many types of insurance including health & life, retirement plans, bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.
6.Diverse Work Environment & Skill Development- ER nurses gain exposure to a wide variety of medical cases, from trauma and cardiac emergencies to pediatric and psychiatric crises. They work in a fast-paced learning environment that requires critical thinking, decision-making, and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary of an emergency room RN in the U.S.?
Data suggests the average annual salary for an ER RN in the United States can be as high as $93,134 with an hourly rate of $49.94. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and the type of employer.
Do ER nurses earn more than other RNs?
Yes, ER nurses typically earn more than the average RN due to the high-pressure, fast-paced nature of their job and the need for additional certifications.
How much do travel RN nurses make?
Like other travel nurses, ER nurses often earn higher wages due to the temporary and flexible nature of their assignments. On average, they make about $2,127 per week, equating to an annual salary of approximately $110,277. Entry-level nurses may start at $91,672 and experienced nurses can earn up to $139,932 annually.
What factors influence an ER nurse’s salary?
Several factors can impact an ER nurse’s salary including experience, location, certifications, shift differentials and employer type.
Do RN nurses receive bonuses?
Yes, RN nurses often receive bonuses including sign-on, shift incentives, and retention bonuses.resumes online, and can even build and customize your resume on websites like Live Career.