NYC Nursing Salaries

New York City hosts several world-class hospitals. However, nurse salaries in New York City may not seem lucrative due to the higher cost of living. Still, if an average registered nurse (RN) salary of nearly six figures and big city living appeal to you, New York offers a choice destination for your nursing career.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

How much does an RN make in NYC? According to the BLS, the average RN salary in NYC is $94,920 as of May 2020 — 19% higher than the national RN average salary of $80,040. The average hourly RN wage in NYC is $45.63, compared to a national average of $38.47.

However, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the New York City metropolitan area has one of the highest costs of living in the country. After adjusting for cost of living, New York City ranks 24th in the country for real personal income.

New York City employs more RNs than any other city in the U.S. and features the highest salaries for any metropolitan area in New York state. These employment figures create many opportunities for employment and networking. You can also find a nursing job in NYC in nearly any specialty.

Nurse anesthetists earn the highest RN salary in NYC, with an average of $218,380, compared to the national average of $189,190. Nurse practitioners make an average annual salary of $133,380, compared to a national average of $114,510.

These roles require individuals to earn a master’s degree. Individuals looking to enter the nursing field with a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree can anticipate earning an average of $94,290 as an RN.

The salaries for nurses in the largest metropolitan areas align with cost of living data. Among the top 10 metropolitans that employ RNs, NYC averages the third-highest salary in the U.S., after Los Angeles and Boston.

The cost of living in Los Angeles reaches nearly as high as in New York City, though utilities and healthcare costs are lower. Boston has a lower cost of living, demonstrating that the average nurse salary in NYC is worth somewhat less than in other cities.

Similarly, the cost of living in Detroit is below the national average, which is reflected in its lower-than-average salary. Individual salaries vary based on experience and qualifications, meaning that your ideal city hinges on many more factors than salary alone.

With so many hospitals in NYC, it may be easier to get a nursing job in NYC than in areas with fewer potential employers. Despite this, employment often remains highly competitive.

The nursing shortage in New York is not as dire as in rural parts of the country. While there is an ongoing national shortage of nurses, New York is not one of the seven states projected to experience a shortage of nurses in 2030, according to a report from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Your personal and professional interests will inform your experience as a nurse in NYC. As one of the most vibrant cities in the U.S., NYC provides many possible employers. However, regardless of the higher-than-average RN salary in NY, its cost of living ranks among the highest in the country.

To be an RN in NYC, you need to earn an associate degree in nursing at minimum, which takes two years, though many employers prefer candidates with a BSN. Next, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs. If you want to pursue the highest nursing salaries in NYC, you need to spend at least another two years earning a master of science in nursing and becoming an advanced practice nurse.

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