This year, 46% of nurses surveyed earned a salary between $80,000 and $139,999, up from 39% last year and 41% in 2020. Nearly half (47%) earn less than $80,000, and nearly two-thirds (62%) reported a higher salary compared to 12 months ago.
Raises reflect this trend toward higher salaries. More than half (54%) of respondents received a raise in the past year, with another 25% receiving one in the past 2 years. Clinicians were more likely than managers to have received a raise less than 1 year ago (66% vs. 45%).
The most common benefits respondents reported receiving were health insurance (60%), paid time off (58%), and dental insurance (54%).
As expected, those who work 35 hours or more a week receive more benefits. For example, 67% receive health insurance and paid time off. Other higher percentages included 60% for dental insurance, 55% for retirement benefits, and 51% for vision insurance.
About half (48%) of nurse managers received a discretionary bonus in the past 12 months, with another 23% receiving a nondiscretionary bonus; 7% received both. Nearly half (49%) of clinical nurses received additional compensation for shift work. Other areas where clinical nurses received additional compensation included certification (36%), charge nurse role (32%), serving as a preceptor (32%), education level (31%), and clinical ladder (22%).