How Much Do Military Nurses Make?

Military nurses are registered nurses (RN) who dedicate their careers to serving within the Army Nurse Corps, Air Force Nurse Corps, Army National Guard Nursing, and Navy Nurse Corps. They can work domestically or abroad at military bases, hospitals, or clinics alongside response teams during natural disasters or times of war.

Despite the emotional demands and stressful nature of the job, military nurses report great personal satisfaction in their work. This guide details information on the salary military nurses can expect, along with ways to increase their pay throughout their careers.

The average military nurse salary depends on education, rank, and certifications. Although the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific data on military nurses, their figures indicate that all RNs earn an average annual salary of $82,750, which translates to $39.78 per hour.

RNs who specialize in military work can increase their salaries by earning advanced degrees, pursuing certifications, or increasing their ranks.

While the BLS does not specifically track military nurse salaries by state, the average RN wage can offer a general look into this specialty’s earnings. The highest-paying states for RNs are mainly located in the western part of the country, including California ($124,000), Hawaii ($106,530), and Oregon ($98,630).

The BLS projects that employment for RNs will grow by 9% from 2020-2030, which is slightly higher than the 8% increase for all other occupations. However, there is a higher demand for nurses willing to be deployed overseas. Military nurses are often provided sign-on bonuses and student loan forgiveness as incentives to join.

One of the best ways for military nurses to increase their pay is by advancing within the ranks of their military branch. These nurses can also pursue advanced degrees or specialty certifications. The following list offers additional details on ways to increase military nurse pay.

Basic military pay is a service member’s primary salary. Military pay depends on years of service and rank. In this sense, nursing specialties do not impact pay in the military — an RN and certified registered nurse anesthetist who has served the same amount of time and has the same rank will receive the same pay. However, earning additional education and certifications can allow individuals to pursue higher ranks.

Each military branch provides some form of loan forgiveness or reimbursement on top of stipends and sign-on bonuses. These benefits require nurses to commit a specific amount of time to the armed forces before or after their schooling to be eligible.

Nurses can enlist as active duty or reservists in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard. Each branch provides incentives to attract nurses, such as living stipends, student loan repayment, and annual bonuses.

While the base pay for a military nurse can be lower than civilian nurses, individuals serving in the armed forces earn additional financial compensation, including hazard pay, free medical and dental insurance, free relocation services, and retirement plans. These incentives often provide military nurses with more than their civilian counterparts.