How Much Do Pain Management Nurses Make?

Pain management nurses practice in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, oncology units, rehabilitation centers, and sports medicine facilities. They help patients experiencing pain from cancer, injuries, and surgeries by using treatment methods, such as medication, massage, exercise, or chiropractic care. As a growing field, pain management nursing offers potential career advancement in anesthesiology and advanced nursing practice.

This guide explores average pain management nurse salaries, the highest-paying states, and advice on ways to increase your income.

Pain management nurses are often registered nurses (RNs). Payscale data from June 2022 shows the average annual RN salary at $68,620, or $31.24 per hour. Salaries vary by geographical location, work setting, education level, experience, and certification. Looking at the range of salaries, RNs with less than a year of experience earn $28.00 per hour, while those with 20+ years on the job make $36.78 hourly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median annual RN salaries range from $59,450 for the lowest 10% of earners to $120,250 and above for the highest 10%.

Similar RN specialties include critical care, with an average annual pay of $75,731. Payscale data from June 2022 shows salaries for emergency room nurses at $73,520, hospice nurses at $69,470, oncology nurses at $76,650, and operating room nurses at $76,650.

Geographic locations can play a major role in pain management nurse pay. State-specific salary information is not available for pain management nursing, but state salary data for RNs can offer pain management nurse salary guidance. The top-paying states for all RNs are California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Alaska, with average wages of $97,230-$124,000.

Factors that can affect salaries in different regions include cost of living, supply and demand, and employment growth. All of the highest-paying states sit among the top 10 for the highest cost of living. In addition, California ranks third for the number of nurses per 1,000 people, at 9.25, indicating a nursing shortage in the state. The BLS reports that Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles have among the lowest concentrations of nurses compared to national nurse employment.

If you can’t relocate, there are other ways to increase your pain management nurse pay. Certifications, high education, administrative nursing experience, and different work settings can help you earn more.

The most common workplaces for pain management nurses include hospitals, oncology departments, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and sports medicine clinics. Other settings include physician’s offices and outpatient clinics.

A nationwide nursing shortage includes RNs and pain management nurses. RNs can expect a 9% employment growth rate during 2020-2030, according to the BLS, but the biggest increase is projected for nurse practitioners at 45%. Nurse anesthesia, with a 13% projected growth rate, is another pathway for pain management nurses.

Pain management nurses offer pain relief through medications and other therapies, such as massage, chiropractic care, exercise, and meditation. They work with patients with chronic pain and illness, as well as those with short-term injuries and conditions.

Pain management nurses can enter the field with an RN license and experience and training in the specialty. An RN license requires a nursing diploma or associate degree. RNs with a bachelor of science in nursing tend to earn more and take on more responsibility. While not required, graduate degrees open doors to nurse practitioner roles.