Pediatric nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, providing compassionate and specialized care to children of all ages.
Their dedication and expertise are essential for ensuring the well-being of our most vulnerable population. As aspiring or current pediatric nurses, one of the key factors that comes into play is the compensation associated with this rewarding profession.
In this blog, we'll delve into the world of pediatric nursing salaries, examining the average salary for pediatric nurses across the United States and Canada.
We'll explore factors that influence peds nurse salary ranges, such as location, experience level, and specialization. Additionally, we'll provide insights into potential career advancement opportunities and how these can impact earning potential.
Average pediatric nurse salary
According to Salary.com , pediatric nurses make an average of $77,600 a year. However, according to ZipRecruiter , pediatric nurses in the United States make an average pay of $134,328 per year, or $65 per hour.
Pediatric nurse salaries by state
Geographics influence nursing salary, with coast-based states paying pediatric nurses more than midwestern states. Factors like living costs and hospital needs in states with higher pediatric nurse demand can contribute to this disparity.
Alabama's average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $41,540
Registered nurses: $61,920
Nurse practitioners: $102,410
Alaska’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $63,650
Registered nurses: $97,230
Nurse practitioners: $113,820
Arizona’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $57,800
Registered nurses: $81,600
Nurse practitioners: $119,910
Arkansas’ average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $43,040
Registered nurses: $65,810
Nurse practitioners: $107,080
California’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $65,140
Registered nurses: $124,000
Nurse practitioners: $151,830
Colorado’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $55,360
Registered nurses: $80,670
Nurse practitioners: $112,580
Connecticut’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $59,440
Registered nurses: $88,530
Nurse practitioners: $120,450
Delaware’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $53,040
Registered nurses: $77,760
Nurse practitioners: $116,230
District of Columbia’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $57,250
Registered nurses: $98,540
Nurse practitioners: $125,290
Florida’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $47,860
Registered nurses: $72,000
Nurse practitioners: $104,830
Georgia’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $47,370
Registered nurses: $75,380
Nurse practitioners: $109,560
Hawaii’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $53,320
Registered nurses: $106,530
Nurse practitioners: $127,490
Idaho’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $49,440
Registered nurses: $73,640
Nurse practitioners: $105,290
Illinois’ average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $54,080
Registered nurses: $78,260
Nurse practitioners: $120,470
Indiana’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $51,500
Registered nurses: $68,890
Nurse practitioners: $113,490
Iowa’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $48,010
Registered nurses: $64,990
Nurse practitioners: $121,370
Kansas’ average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $46,550
Registered nurses: $66,560
Nurse practitioners: $108,710
Kentucky’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $47,140
Registered nurses: $67,260
Nurse practitioners: $106,080
Louisiana’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $43,900
Registered nurses: $70,380
Nurse practitioners: $112,650
Maine’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $50,790
Registered nurses: $73,630
Nurse practitioners: $116,370
Maryland’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $56,380
Registered nurses: $82,660
Nurse practitioners: $115,700
Massachusetts’ average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $61,820
Registered nurses: $96,630
Nurse practitioners: $129,540
Michigan’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $54,090
Registered nurses: $75,930
Nurse practitioners: $108,770
Minnesota’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $51,160
Registered nurses: $84,030
Nurse practitioners: $127,010
Mississippi’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses:
Registered nurses
Nurse practitioners:
Missouri’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $46,010
Registered nurses: $67,790
Nurse practitioners: $103,490
Montana’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $48,300
Registered nurses: $73,610
Nurse practitioners: $115,710
Nebraska’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $48,040
Registered nurses: $69,850
Nurse practitioners: $112,670
Nevada’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $60,490
Registered nurses: $88,800
Nurse practitioners: $123,680
New Hampshire’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $59,140
Registered nurses: $78,270
Nurse practitioners: $120,730
New Jersey’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $58,590
Registered nurses: $89,690
Nurse practitioners: $137,010
New Mexico’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $56,040
Registered nurses: $77,590
Nurse practitioners: $118,480
New York’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $53,750
Registered nurses: $93,320
Nurse practitioners: $133,940
North Carolina’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $49,210
Registered nurses: $71,200
Nurse practitioners: $112,730
North Dakota’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $50,130
Registered nurses: $71,200
Nurse practitioners: $112,720
Ohio’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $48,030
Registered nurses: $71,640
Nurse practitioners: $112,490
Oklahoma’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $44,910
Registered nurses: $68,180
Nurse practitioners: $116,650
Oregon’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $60,090
Registered nurses: $98,630
Nurse practitioners: $128,190
Pennsylvania’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $51,090
Registered nurses: $76,000
Nurse practitioners: $117,260
Puerto Rico’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $23,590
Registered nurses: $35,690
Nurse practitioners: $21,610
Rhode Island’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $59,800
Registered nurses: $85,270
Nurse practitioners: $126,760
South Carolina’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $46,470
Registered nurses: $69,580
Nurse practitioners: $102,850
South Dakota’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $41,830
Registered nurses: $60,540
Nurse practitioners: $112,320
Tennessee’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $43,620
Registered nurses: $66,680
Nurse practitioners: $95,120
Texas’ average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $50,220
Registered nurses: $79,120
Nurse practitioners: $117,890
Utah’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $50,740
Registered nurses: $72,790
Nurse practitioners: $112,920
Vermont’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $54,180
Registered nurses: $75,160
Nurse practitioners: $112,540
Virginia’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $48,430
Registered nurses: $76,680
Nurse practitioners: $112,320
Washington’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $63,250
Registered nurses: $95,350
Nurse practitioners: $130,840
West Virginia’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $41,310
Registered nurses: $67,640
Nurse practitioners: $104,750
Wisconsin’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $49,850
Registered nurses: $76,850
Nurse practitioners: $116,990
Wyoming’s average pediatric nurse salary (Year)
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses: $50,970
Registered nurses: $73,130
Nurse practitioners: $114,530
Pediatric nurse skills
Pediatric nurses require specialized nursing skills to provide quality care to children, requiring interpersonal and life skills, along with functional knowledge from their certification program, to excel in their career. These skills are essential for those considering a pediatric nursing career.
Technical skills:
Diagnostic skills
Procedural skills
Life support skills
Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills:
Empathy and compassion
Patience and flexibility
Play therapy skills
Active listening skills
Managing conflict
Additional skills:
Organizational skills: Juggling multiple patients, tasks, and documentation requires strong organizational skills and time management to prioritize effectively.
Problem-solving skills: Thinking critically and finding creative solutions to unexpected situations is vital in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Cultural competency: Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs is essential for providing culturally sensitive care.
Specialization skills:
Pediatric nurses can further specialize in various areas, requiring additional skills and knowledge specific to that field, such as:
Neonatal intensive care: Expertise in caring for critically ill newborns.
Pediatric oncology: Understanding and managing the unique needs of children with cancer.
Pediatric mental health: Specializing in the mental and emotional well-being of children with various mental health conditions.
How to increase your salary as a pediatric nurse?
Pediatric nurses can increase their salary by pursuing various options, such as advancing their education, earning certifications, traveling, and working as a career nurse.
Education plays a significant role in a pediatric nurse's earning potential, with many starting with an associate's or bachelor's degree and continuing their education while working in a hospital or other facility.
Earning a Pediatric Nurse Certification can increase hourly wage for many employers, demonstrating expertise in pediatric care.
Travel is another option for pediatric nurses, offering a chance to live and explore different parts of the U.S. and potentially higher income.
Career nurses are full or part-time nursing staff employed directly by the facility where they work, typically earning an hourly wage plus a benefits package including retirement benefits, paid time off, and other benefits.
Per diem nurses work "by the day," making them more flexible but not having a benefits package. Contract nurses are full-time nurses who work at a hospital for a specified period of time, usually for four weeks to six months.
Overtime pay is available for nurses who work over 40 hours a week, with wages ranging from one and a half to three times the normal hourly wage.
Shift differentials are extra pay for working weekends, holidays, evenings, or night shifts, which can increase a normal hourly wage by a few additional dollars.
Most nurses do not receive bonuses, but sign-on bonuses can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand.
Hazard pay is extra compensation above the normal compensation for nurses working in physically harder or dangerous conditions, such as severely understaffed hospitals with COVID-19 patients.
Employers are not required by law to pay hazard pay, but it is usually an incentive to bring on new nurses but rarely offered to career nurses who already work at the facility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the salary outlook for pediatric nurses in both the United States and Canada is promising for 2024. With increasing demand for pediatric healthcare services and a focus on improving patient outcomes, pediatric nurses can expect to see competitive salaries and potential for growth in their careers. Factors such as experience, location, and level of education will continue to impact earning potential for pediatric nurses.
FAQs
1- What is the highest-paying pediatric nurse?
Pediatric endocrinology nurses make the highest average annual salary among all pediatric nurses.
2- Is a pediatric nurse a hard job?
Pediatric nurses face numerous challenges, including standing on their feet, lifting and moving equipment and patients, and maintaining focus to ensure patient safety and health, despite the specific roles they perform.
