How Much Do Cruise Ship Nurses Make?

Are you a registered nurse (RN) with a desire to travel the world? A job as a cruise ship nurse might be a good fit for you.

Although cruise ship nurses typically work longer shifts and earn less than their counterparts working in large hospitals, they enjoy an array of other benefits, including comped living expenses, discounts, and ample time to travel between contracts. As the cruise industry rebounds from the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for these nurses should continue to expand.

Cruise ship nurses perform many of the same duties as general RNs. Payscale reports the current average salary for RNs in the U.S. as $68,820 annually, or $31.32 an hour. However, it does not provide specific salary information for cruise ship nurses. Contractual obligations and terms of employment for cruise ship nurses vary significantly from RNs who work in hospitals, clinics, or other conventional healthcare settings, making salary comparisons difficult.

Cruise ship nurse salary depends on the size of the ship and the number of passengers, as well as the professional’s level of nursing experience and scope of authority. A popular recruiter for cruise positions reports starting salaries for cruise ship nurses between $4,200 and $4,900 per month.

The highest-paid cruise ship nurses include nurse practitioners, whose practice authority allows them to offer medical services without a doctor’s supervision and lead or chief nurses who perform administrative roles. These advanced practice nurses earn considerably more than cruise ship RNs providing day-to-day healthcare for passengers and staff. RNs with experience and certifications in emergency medicine, ICU, or other acute care settings also garner greater job opportunities and higher salaries.

Many RNs who choose to work as cruise ship nurses are motivated primarily by the opportunity to travel and the flexibility of short-term contracts. Although salary may not rank as the most important motivational factor, aspiring cruise ship nurses should compare the full compensation package offered by a cruise ship employer with the average pay levels for RNs in the state where they are licensed.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2021, RNs earn the highest pay in California, Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska. Average wages in these states range from $124,000 in California to $97,230 in Alaska.

Cruise ship nurses in entry-level positions typically make less than average RN salaries, but they often receive other benefits, such as comped food and lodging, health insurance, travel allowances, and discounts.

You can pursue several options to enhance your earning potential. Pursuing certifications, earning a graduate degree, and demonstrating fluency in languages other than English will boost your earnings and set you apart from other applicants.