When we think of health, we typically tend to assess our physical well-being. However, one would agree that psychological health is equally important if not more. While the general awareness of it is increasing, the demand for psychiatric nurses also increases. So, if you are considering to pursue it or looking to upgrade or transition into this profession, it may interest you that a psychiatric nurse’s salary in the US ranges from $91,182 to $146,731 annually on average[1]. Compared to the national annual average of salary $59,384 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor reports in Q4 of 2023[2]), it is almost twice that!
Moreover, a major job board reports that overtime in a psychiatric nurse salary can be as high as $10,750 per year[1].
Description | Salary |
---|---|
Entry-level Psychiatric nurse salary | $30.96 per hour[3] |
Media annual Psychiatric nurse salary | $84,500 per year[4] |
Psychiatric nurse salary trajectory | 12% rise from 2024 to 2029[5] |
Looking at these figures and accounting for the non-cash benefits of psychiatric nurses (that we touch upon later), it appears that psychiatric nurse pay should be good enough to meet one’s basic needs and save some. But it’s only one side of the picture. The other side of things includes considering living costs (largely depends on location), taxes, lifestyle preferences, and more. And since there is not one true set of data on the income of psychiatric nurses – but a handful of reported salary directories – it’s tricky to point to one particular salary figure as correct. So, in this guide on 2024 Psychiatric Nurses Salaries in the US, we collect and collate data from reliable sources, compare them, and infer insights to paint the full picture. We shall also look into the factors that influence psychiatric nurse wages to help you make more informed decision about what skill, location, or education to focus on to increase your earning potential. In the end, we shall take a critical look at the job, demand, and salary outlook for psychiatric nurses in the coming years.
To kick off, let us start by looking at the salaries of psychiatric nurses in those states where they are most in demand.
The difference between the lower and upper end of the pay range for psychiatric nurse salaries in the US is large and fluctuates a lot between states (we will discuss the location factor more in detail under Psychiatric Nurse Salary by State). Among the listed states, New York offers the highest average annual salary for psychiatric nurses at $142,250, with an upper-end potential of $241,654. Texas presents the lowest average salary at $74,013, with significant salary fluctuation compared to Maryland, which has the least fluctuation.
Lower End of Annual Salary | Average Psychiatric Nurse Annual Salary | Upper End of Annual Salary | |
---|---|---|---|
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in New York | $83,735 per year | $142,250 per year | $241,654 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Maryland | $85,002 per year | $138,138 per year | $224,491 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Georgia | $100,359 per year | $126,857 per year | $160,351 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Connecticut | $106,434 per year | $121,499 per year | $138,696 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Nevada | $79,176 per year | $120,881 per year | $184,553 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Ohio | $62,089 per year | $106,618 per year | $183,084 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Kentucky | $87,891 per year | $102,893 per year | $120,457 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Tennessee | $66,539 per year | $100,651 per year | $152,251 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary Alabama | $75,007 per year | $93,796 per year | $117,290 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse Salary in Texas | $38,214 per year | $74,013 per year | $143,347 per year |
*source: indeed[1]
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Let’s delve into the essentials of the psychiatric nursing profession, covering their roles, entry requirements, and initial salary expectations post-graduation.
As mentioned in the introduction, a psychiatric nurse helps in the treatment of psychiatric patients. Basically they are specialized nurses – who work with psychiatrists, psychologists, or sometimes social workers – to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with mental health disorders. As it is also a human field, their responsibilities can include advocating and educating patients and their families about the importance of mental health conditions.
To become a psychiatric nurse, you start like any regular nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by licensure as a registered nurse (RN). But then need additional certification in psychiatric and mental health nursing for specialization. As an entry-level psychiatric nurse, one can expect to make around $51,500 yearly[6].
It’s worth noting that gender-wise, there are mostly female psychiatric nurses (~82%)[3]. Still, there is an unfortunate gap in the salary between male and female psychiatric nurses with males typically making around 7% more than females[6].
Suggested Reading: Career as a Nurse in US in 2024
As mentioned earlier, for a salary stat of psychiatric nurses in the US we depend on collating data from various sources – instead of one. That being said, synthesizing reported figures from major job boards reveals a broad salary range for psychiatric nurses. At the upper end, these professionals can earn over $69 per hour or $146,731 annually. Conversely, at the lower end, hourly rates may be around $43, resulting in an average annual income of $91,182. On average, psychiatric nurses typically earn approximately $54 per hour or $115,668 annually.
Psychiatric Nurse Salary | Per Hour | Per Week | Per Month | Per Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lower end salary | $43.08 | $1,668 | $6,456 | $91,182 |
Average base salary | $54.65 | $2,116 | $8,190 | $115,668 |
Higher end salary | $69.33 | $2,685 | $10,389 | $146,731 |
*source: indeed[1]
Suggested Reading: 2024 Salary Guide for US Nurse Practitioners
The table below provides insight into the varying distribution of psychiatric nurse salary range – reflecting both entry-level and higher-earning opportunities. It reveals that 50% of psychiatric nurses earn $84,500 per year or less, representing the median salary. Those in the bottom 10th percentile earn a minimum of $70,745 annually, while the top 10% of earners make $105,324 or more annually.
Percentile | Psychiatric Nurse Annual Salary |
---|---|
10% | $70,745 per year |
25% | $77,300 per year |
50% | $84,500 per year |
75% | $95,400 per year |
90% | $105,324 per year |
*source: Salary[4]
Psychiatric nurses typically receive a median base salary of $84,400 annually, with total compensation, including benefits, amounting to $117,102. Base salary constitutes the majority of their compensation, accounting for 72.1%, while time off and healthcare support contribute 9.2% and 5.4%, respectively, to their overall remuneration package.
Annual Core Compensation of Psychiatric Nurse | ||
---|---|---|
Median | % of Total | |
Base Salary | $84,400 | 72.1% |
Bonus | $100 | 0.1% |
Annual Value of Benefits for Psychiatric Nurses | ||
Median | % of Total | |
Social Security | $6,464 | 5.5% |
401K/403B | $4,141 | 3.5% |
Disability | $1,352 | 1.2% |
Healthcare | $6,371 | 5.4% |
Pension | $3,549 | 3.0% |
Time Off | $10,725 | 9.2% |
Total Compensation | $117,102 | 100% |
*source: Salary[4]
As evident from the previous table, health benefits stand out as the primary perk offered to psychiatric nurses in the US. In fact, over 77% of them receive medical insurance, with dental coverage following closely at 68% and then vision coverage at 61%. Still, depending on the employer, almost a quarter of psychiatric nurses may not receive any of these benefits.
401(k) | Flexible spending account | Paid housing |
---|---|---|
401(k) matching | Health insurance | Paid time off |
403(b) | Health savings account | Prescription drug insurance |
Continuing education credits | Housing stipend | Referral program |
Dental insurance | License reimbursement | Relocation assistance |
Disability insurance | Life insurance | Retirement plan |
Employee assistance program | Loan forgiveness | Travel reimbursement |
Employee discount | Loan repayment program | Tuition reimbursement |
Employee stock purchase plan | Malpractice insurance | Vision insurance |
Flexible schedule | Opportunities for advancement | Work from home |
*source: indeed[1]
Now we come to the central stat on psychiatric nurse salaries: state-wise psychiatric nurse salary in the US. Rhode Island boasts the highest annual pay for psychiatric nurses, reaching $103,809, while Oklahoma offers the lowest at $50,108 per year. Interestingly, both Rhode Island and Hawaii, geographically isolated states, have the highest average psychiatric nurse hourly salary. This might be due to a smaller talent pool and high demand.
State | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Annual | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|
Alabama | $53,639 per year | $25.79 per hour |
Alaska | $83,762 per year | $40.27 per hour |
Arizona | $69,541 per year | $33.43 per hour |
Arkansas | $58,884 per year | $28.31 per hour |
California | $98,534 per year | $47.37 per hour |
Colorado | $61,263 per year | $29.45 per hour |
Connecticut | $82,267 per year | $39.55 per hour |
Delaware | $82,915 per year | $39.86 per hour |
District of Columbia | $89,867 per year | $43.21 per hour |
Florida | $62,322 per year | $29.96 per hour |
Georgia | $59,523 per year | $28.62 per hour |
Hawaii | $96,449 per year | $46.37 per hour |
Idaho | $71,639 per year | $34.44 per hour |
Illinois | $63,502 per year | $30.53 per hour |
Indiana | $55,087 per year | $26.48 per hour |
Iowa | $64,601 per year | $31.06 per hour |
Kansas | $59,579 per year | $28.64 per hour |
Kentucky | $59,912 per year | $28.80 per hour |
Louisiana | $67,421 per year | $32.41 per hour |
Maine | $66,345 per year | $31.90 per hour |
Maryland | $78,455 per year | $37.72 per hour |
Massachusetts | $84,165 per year | $40.46 per hour |
Michigan | $63,630 per year | $30.59 per hour |
Minnesota | $68,904 per year | $33.13 per hour |
Mississippi | $61,939 per year | $29.78 per hour |
Missouri | $56,058 per year | $26.95 per hour |
Montana | $61,015 per year | $29.33 per hour |
Nebraska | $56,417 per year | $27.12 per hour |
Nevada | $71,400 per year | $34.33 per hour |
New Hampshire | $78,725 per year | $37.85 per hour |
New Jersey | $85,058 per year | $40.89 per hour |
New Mexico | $66,021 per year | $31.74 per hour |
New York | $80,303 per year | $38.61 per hour |
North Carolina | $59,312 per year | $28.52 per hour |
North Dakota | $57,042 per year | $27.42 per hour |
Ohio | $63,960 per year | $30.75 per hour |
Oklahoma | $50,108 per year | $24.09 per hour |
Oregon | $77,655 per year | $37.33 per hour |
Pennsylvania | $67,947 per year | $32.67 per hour |
Rhode Island | $103,809 per year | $49.91 per hour |
South Carolina | $61,095 per year | $29.37 per hour |
South Dakota | $51,822 per year | $24.91 per hour |
Tennessee | $56,545 per year | $27.19 per hour |
Texas | $76,498 per year | $36.78 per hour |
Utah | $62,965 per year | $30.27 per hour |
Vermont | $81,950 per year | $39.40 per hour |
Virginia | $69,181 per year | $33.26 per hour |
Washington | $66,674 per year | $32.05 per hour |
West Virginia | $70,701 per year | $33.99 per hour |
Wisconsin | $65,820 per year | $31.64 per hour |
Wyoming | $68,612 per year | $32.99 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
To simplify the information in the table above, we’ve compiled lists of the top 10 states offering with the highest and lowest psychiatric nurse salaries.
However, we must point out in advance that the states offering higher salaries aren’t necessarily the better options for moving to as a psychiatric nurse compared to those with lower salaries. It would depend on various factors; the critical ones include living expenses, job prospects, and preferred lifestyle. So, use your discretion when selecting a location to settle.
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Among the best-paying states for Psychiatric nurses, Rhode Island stands out with the highest salary offer of $103,809 per year or $49.91 per hour. California and Hawaii come right next with their offers exceeding $90,000 annually on average
State | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Annually | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Hourly |
---|---|---|
Rhode Island | $103,809 per year | $49.91 per hour |
California | $98,534 per year | $47.37 per hour |
Hawaii | $96,449 per year | $46.37 per hour |
District of Columbia | $89,867 per year | $43.21 per hour |
New Jersey | $85,058 per year | $40.89 per hour |
Massachusetts | $84,165 per year | $40.46 per hour |
Alaska | $83,762 per year | $40.27 per hour |
Delaware | $82,915 per year | $39.86 per hour |
Connecticut | $82,267 per year | $39.55 per hour |
Vermont | $81,950 per year | $39.40 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Considering the top 10 lowest-paying states for psychiatric nurse, the average salary offered in the table below is $59,312 annually. Oklahoma falls at the bottom rung with an average salary of just $50,108. This is almost 50% of what their counterparts in Rhode Island make.
State | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Annually | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Hourly |
---|---|---|
Oklahoma | $50,108 per year | $24.09 per hour |
South Dakota | $51,822 per year | $24.91 per hour |
Alabama | $53,639 per year | $25.79 per hour |
Indiana | $55,087 per year | $26.48 per hour |
Missouri | $56,058 per year | $26.95 per hour |
Nebraska | $56,417 per year | $27.12 per hour |
Tennessee | $56,545 per year | $27.19 per hour |
North Dakota | $57,042 per year | $27.42 per hour |
Arkansas | $58,884 per year | $28.31 per hour |
North Carolina | $59,312 per year | $28.52 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Zooming in further on the geography-based influence on psychiatric nurse’s salary – from state to city level – the data below shows that Santa Rosa, CA pays the highest to psychiatric nurses with an average annual salary of $101,755 and an hourly rate of $48.92. Newark (NJ), Boston, (MA), and Brentwood (NY) follow right behind offering an average annual salary above $80,000.
Cities | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Annually | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Salary Hourly |
---|---|---|
Santa Rosa, CA | $101,755 per year | $48.92 per hour |
Newark, NJ | $85,179 per year | $40.95 per hour |
Boston, MA | $84,323 per year | $40.54 per hour |
Brentwood, NY | $80,732 per year | $38.81 per hour |
Portland, OR | $77,257 per year | $37.14 per hour |
Irving, TX | $75,357 per year | $36.23 per hour |
Sparks, NV | $72,326 per year | $34.77 per hour |
Phoenix, AZ | $69,595 per year | $33.46 per hour |
Philadelphia, PA | $68,594 per year | $32.98 per hour |
Lakewood, WA | $67,334 per year | $32.37 per hour |
*source: Zippia[6]
Considering the demanding nature of working in a psychiatric ward, a psychiatric nurse need more than just a competitive salary to sustain a long-term career. The reason why the most popular employers in this field not only provide fat salaries but also prioritize work-life balance through flexible scheduling, access to cutting-edge resources, and other amenities. While assessing employers based on these qualitative aspects may be tricky, publicly available reviews help us list some with great employer reputations.
Psychiatric Nurse Employer | Average Hourly Psychiatric Nurse Salary Offered | Employer Rating |
---|---|---|
Vish Consulting Services | $65.04 per hour | 4 |
GHR Healthcare | $62.11 per hour | 3.9 |
Trusted Health | $57.95 per hour | 4.2 |
Medmetry Inc | $56.89 per hour | 4.2 |
Travel Nurses Inc. | $55.25 per hour | 4.9 |
Cariant Health Partners | $54.06 per hour | 4.3 |
Jackson Nurse Professionals | $53.43 per hour | 4.1 |
New York State Office of Mental Health | $44.21 per hour | 3.3 |
*source: Indeed[1]
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Becoming a travel psychiatric nurse is a strategic approach for recent graduates – uncertain about their long-term career path – to explore their profession. In terms of duties, they are similar to their traditional counterparts: to provide assistance in psychiatric wards and counseling sessions with patients’ families. However, rather than committing to a single location, they move between medical facilities on a short-term basis, typically from a few weeks to a month.
Salary Range | Travel Psychiatric Nurse Salary |
---|---|
Minimum | $789 per week |
Average | $1,999 per week |
Maximum | $3,812 per week |
*source: Vivian[7]
State | Average Travel Psychiatric Nurse Weekly Salary | Max Travel Psychiatric Nurse Weekly Salary |
---|---|---|
Rhode Island | $2,466 per week | $2,909 per week |
West Virginia | $2,377 per week | $2,730 per week |
Massachusetts | $2,267 per week | $2,653 per week |
New York | $2,262 per week | $3,812 per week |
Montana | $2,246 per week | $2,986 per week |
Connecticut | $2,240 per week | $2,660 per week |
Vermont | $2,223 per week | $3,527 per week |
New Jersey | $2,222 per week | $2,732 per week |
New Hampshire | $2,131 per week | $3,000 per week |
Maine | $2,124 per week | $2,817 per week |
*source: Vivian[7]
Employer | Travel Psychiatric Nurse Average Weekly Salary | Travel Psychiatric Nurse Max Weekly Salary |
---|---|---|
NURSE’s Etc. Staffing | $3,320 per week | $3,812 per week |
Consolidated Medical Travel | $3,201 per week | $3,201 per week |
InfiCare Health | $2,885 per week | $2,885 per week |
ICONMA | $2,814 per week | $2,814 per week |
TinkBird Healthcare Staffing | $2,557 per week | $2,817 per week |
Stats Access, Inc. | $2,544 per week | $2,544 per week |
Solomon Page | $2,543 per week | $2,543 per week |
AHS Staffing | $2,530 per week | $2,530 per week |
AB Staffing Solutions | $2,520 per week | $2,520 per week |
American Medical Staffing | $2,502 per week | $2,730 per week |
*source: Vivian[7]
When compared to the salaries of the five most popular nursing specialties, psychiatric nurses salaries fall somewhere in the middle. They earn approximately 82% of what cardiac nurses make annually and about 94% of what NICU nurses earn. However, they outearn home health RNs by approximately 26%, public health nurses by 66%, and school nurses by 82% on average.
Popular Nursing Jobs | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Cardiac Nurse | $137,936 per year |
NICU Nurse | $125,589 per year |
Psychiatric Nurse | $118,272 per year |
Home Health RN | $94,190 per year |
Public Health Nurse | $71,076 per year |
School Nurse | $64,903 per year |
*source: indeed[1]
Suggested Reading: Navigating Career Paths in Healthcare: How to Choose Your Specialization
We have noticed several times in this guide so far that location matters when it comes to psychiatric nurse wages. Examining the state-by-state statistics on psychiatric nurse salaries[6], the salary spectrum varies greatly, with certain states offering nearly twice as much as others. For instance, Eastern states such as Alabama and Mississippi tend to have lower average salaries, whereas West Coast states like California and Hawaii boast some of the highest. These disparities may stem from factors such as variations in the cost of living or imbalances in nurse supply and demand across regions.
Experience significantly impacts psychiatric nurse pay, with hourly rates increasing steadily with years of experience. Nurses with less than one year of experience earn an average of $30.96 per hour, while those with over 20 years of experience fetch an average hourly rate of $39, reflecting the value of years spent in the profession.
Psychiatric Nurse Years of Experience | Avg. Psychiatric Nurse Hourly Rate |
---|---|
< 1 year | $30.96 per hour |
1-4 years | $32.95 per hour |
5-9 years | $35.36 per hour |
10-19 years | $37.27 per hour |
20+ years | $39.00 per hour |
*source: Payscale[3]
The level of education has a positive impact on psychiatric nurse wage, with higher degrees correlating to higher average annual salaries. Psychiatric nurses with a master’s degree earn the highest average salary at $80,602 per year, followed by those with a doctorate degree at $74,587. On the lower end, nurses with an associate degree earn the lowest average salary at $62,228 per year.
Degree | Psychiatric Nurse Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Master’s Degree | $80,602 per year |
Doctorate Degree | $74,587 per year |
Bachelor’s Degree | $72,009 per year |
Associate Degree | $62,228 per year |
*source: Zippia[6]
At similar career levels and medical facilities, psychiatric nurse salaries can vary based on skill level. Training proficiency leads to the highest impact, with an 8% salary increase, followed by expertise in Epic Systems (6%), acute care(4%), and crisis intervention (4%). Leadership and team leadership skills result in more modest 1% increases.
Psychiatric Nurse Skill | Effect on Psychiatric Nurse Salary |
---|---|
Training | ▲8% |
Epic Systems | ▲6% |
Acute Care | ▲4% |
Crisis Intervention | ▲4% |
Team Leadership | ▲1% |
Leadership | ▲1% |
*source: Payscale[3]
Race appears to influence psychiatric nurse pay, with notable disparities in average annual salaries. Asian psychiatric nurses earn the highest average salary at $77,690 per year, followed by Hispanic or Latino nurses at $68,393. Black or African American nurses earn an average of $67,147, while white nurses earn slightly less at $66,921 per year.
Race | Psychiatric Nurse Average Annual Salary |
---|---|
Asian | $77,690 per year |
Hispanic or Latino | $68,393 per year |
Black or African American | $67,147 per year |
White | $66,921 per year |
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The world of psychiatric nursing is experiencing a boom. As per the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA, there are projections indicating a jump of 17% in demand for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants specializing in this field by the year 2030[9]. This increase is in line with a significant rise in people seeking mental healthcare, resulting in extended wait times reported by psychologists to the American Psychological Association[10]. And, on the salary front, there’s been a consistent rise in psychiatric nurse salaries over the past ten years, averaging a 1.6% increase annually[6].
But it’s not all rosy for psychiatric nurses: While job satisfaction scores high (averaging a solid 3.75 out of 5 stars)[3], some nurses feel their paychecks are not enough to cover the cost of living (only 61% expressing satisfaction with this aspect[1]). Still, the potential for psychiatric nurse salary growth – particularly for those with Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner qualifications – is a 12% increase over the next 5 years[5].
Suggested Read: Nurse Practitioner’s Salary Trajectory
In summary, working as a psychiatric nurse in the US can give both personal fulfillment and professional growth. While psychiatric nurse starting salaries may be as low as $51,500[6], but with opportunities for advancement, experienced psychiatric nurses salaries on average go beyond $145,000[1]. It’s noteworthy that location significantly influences the earning potential of psychiatric nurses, yet proactive measures such as upskilling, or taking advantage of overtime can enhance earning potential. Moreover, with psychiatric nursing compensation expected to increase by 12% over the next five years, this field shows promising growth,
All said, with all things equal, a psychiatric nurse with better negotiation skills can make more than their peers at this stage of their career. And the more informed you are of your field, the better you can negotiate. So, we highly recommend connecting with like-minded professionals to keep updated on all news, events, and openings related to psychiatric nursing.
Because geography has the most impact on psychiatric nurse salary, individuals in the highest-paying location viz. Santa Rosa, CA, earn the most, at $101,755. However, for a more comprehensive idea, take into account skills, education level, race, etc.
Psychiatric nurses in NYC earn an average annual salary of $$142,250 and an hourly rate of $67.21, reflecting the city’s high cost of living and demand for healthcare services.
In California, Psychiatric nurses make an average of $123,407 per year and $58.31 hourly, driven by the state’s strong healthcare sector and higher living costs.
Given the significant variation of the psychiatric nurse salaries for different location, skills, and career stage a wise strategy to assess if your compensation is fair (or not) is to connect and exchange information with other professionals in your field within your region.
[1] https://www.indeed.com/career/psychiatric-nurse/salaries
[2] https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/average-salary-us/
[3] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Psychiatric_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate
[4] https://www.salary.com/tools/salary-calculator/psychiatric-nurse?type=bonus
[6] https://www.zippia.com/salaries/psychiatric-nurse/
[7] https://www.vivian.com/nursing/psychiatric-nurse/travel/salary
[8] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/nursing-specialties
[10] https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/practitioner/2023-psychologist-reach-limits