Nursing Jobs In High Demand and Pay Is Healthy
The profession of nursing is experiencing extraordinary demand in the Unites States and around the world. That means salaries for well-educated and experienced nurses are more attractive than ever.

Taken all together, the average salary for a nurse is $67,490 in the U.S.

However, nurses today are earning a wide range of salaries from the low $30,000-range to as much as (or more) than $150,000 per year. So you can see that the average salary of $67,490 does not tell the whole story.

While just about all level of nursing jobs pay well, what you can earn as a nurse varies widely depending on the level of education, specialty, experience, location and other factors.

The two primary categories or nursing are LPN and RN.

The first is the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), which generally requires just one year of education after high school. This training is usually completed at a vocational school or community college.

After completing school, LPNs must pass a national licensure exam. The average pay for an LPN is $42,490. Again, keep in mind that this will vary considerably by factors such as location, experience, specialty, and type of health care facility where LPNs work.

A Registered Nurse (RN) can be licensed after completing a 2-year or 4-year program which can be done at vocational schools, community colleges or a 4-year university. RNs must also pass an exam to be licensed, and the average salary for an RN is $66,640.

Again, actual level of pay for an RN can vary considerably based on the same variables stated above.

Beyond the two most common nursing degrees is an even higher level of nurse called the AP, which stands for Advanced Practice nursing. AP nurses generally complete a master’s degree in a specific field of medicine, such as Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Specialist or Nurse Family Practitioner.

Salaries for AP nurses range from about $100,000 to $153,000, although some make less and some considerable more than the higher end. Incidentally, all salary averages listed here are derived from U.S. Department of Labor statistics.

Keep in mind the many factors which effect how much nurses make. For example, small clinics or hospitals in rural areas or small towns tend to be lower paying than nursing salaries in large urban areas.

Also, some medical venues are more exclusive and prestigious than others. For example, famous clinics such as the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic – two of the best in the nation – tend to provide higher pay than, say, a municipal hospital in a small town, or a free clinic in any city.

In general, however, nurses today are earning excellent pay that is higher than average than many other professions which require similar skill levels and education. Add to this that the job outlook for nurses continues to be strong, and chances of finding a job in this field should be considered excellent for some years to come.