How Much Do Telehealth Nurses Make?

Telehealth, or providing healthcare using platforms like video calling or messaging, began gaining traction before 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic’s medical office closures and mobility restrictions sent demand for remote healthcare skyrocketing. According to a report from McKinsey & Company, utilization of telehealth services is now 38 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, with 13-17% of all outpatient office visits taking place virtually.

For nurses looking for a flexible position that allows them to work from home, the growth of telehealth represents an exciting opportunity. This guide explores telehealth nurse roles and salary expectations.

As with all nursing jobs, telehealth nurse salaries vary considerably by factors, such as the level of education and training, specialty, geographic location, and the specific employer. Nurses at all levels, including licensed practical nurses (LPN), registered nurses (RN), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), can work in telehealth.

Payscale data from July 2022 shows the average annual salary for a telehealth nurse at $62,930, or $31.30 per hour.

Nurses working in California, Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Alaska earn the highest wages in the U.S, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nurses in northeast states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, are also among the highest paid. Although the BLS does not include specific data for telehealth nurses, the earnings for this role are equivalent to staff nurses.

Nurses licensed in any of the 39 Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states can provide telehealth in other compact states without needing an additional license. In states not part of the NLC, telehealth nurses may practice only in that state. There may be exceptions to this rule, since most states temporarily modified telehealth licensing requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many telehealth nurses now work from home. Other telehealth nurses work in hospitals, physician offices, and clinics. Most visits take place through video conferencing, but telehealth nurses also care for patients over the phone or by using the chat function on a website or app.

Telehealth nurses perform many tasks, including triage, patient education, and collecting information about a patient’s condition. They also evaluate data from remote monitoring tools, such as sensors or applications. They do not diagnose or treat illness or medical conditions unless they are nurse practitioners.

As more people choose telehealth for routine care, minor health issues, and mental health services, the demand for qualified nurses continues to rise.

Many employers require bedside nursing experience to ensure telehealth nurses have the observation and communication skills necessary to provide virtual healthcare. Other critical skills include communication and comfort working with technology.