Average RN Salary in Arizona: See How Much AZ Nurses Make
Updated December 14, 2022 · 4 Min Read
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Arizona is the 15th highest-paying state for registered nurses (RNs) and demand for healthcare workers is high, due to the aging population. This guide gives you the information you need to evaluate or negotiate the RN salaries Arizona employers offer.
Keep reading for more on the highest-paying cities in Arizona and ways to increase your salary.
- Average Arizona RN Salary: $81,600 (Ranks 17th among all states)
- Hourly Arizona RN Salary: $39.23
- Projected Arizona RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 35%
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Average RN Salaries in Arizona
The average RN salary Arizona employers pay is $81,600, with a median salary of $78,260. Hourly, these translate to an average $39.23 and median $37.63. Salaries range from $60,750 among the bottom 10th percentile to $100,200 among the top 90th percentile.
Arizona is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the country and also has a high proportion of snowbirds (people who live in other places during most of the year but spend the winter in Arizona). Demand for nurses is high in Arizona, due to recent population growth and a higher population of older adults.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| 25% | $73,830 | $35.50 |
| 50% (Median) | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| 75% | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| 90% | $100,200 | $48.18 |
Source: BLS
Arizona RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
Arizona employers pay slightly higher RN salaries than national rates. At 99.1, Arizona's cost-of-living index stands just below the national average of 100. The index is calculated by measuring the cost of goods and services (such as rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation) in the state, compared to national averages.
Arizona has the 20th highest cost of living in the country, which leads to an adjusted salary for RNs in Arizona at $82,334. This makes Arizona the 14th highest-paying state for nurses.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $82,334 (Ranks 14th among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 99.1 (0.9% lower than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Arizona
For RN salaries, Arizona does not have much variation among cities the way states like California, New York, or Illinois do. In addition, Arizona hosts 10 magnet hospitals, such as University Medical Center.
Cities like Prescott, the Phoenix metropolitan area, Yuma, Tucson, and Lake Havasu all offer year-round outdoor recreation and scenic views.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Prescott, AZ | $84,930 |
| Phoenix — Mesa — Scottsdale, AZ | $82,630 |
| Yuma, AZ | $80,770 |
| Tucson, AZ | $78,820 |
| Lake Havasu City — Kingman, AZ | $75,590 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Arizona
If you are a nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse (LPN) and want to earn more money, earning a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree to prepare to become an RN can be an excellent investment.
If you are already an RN, you can earn a master's degree and become a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner for a higher salary and more professional autonomy. You can also earn a doctorate to become a nurse anesthetist.
- Nursing Assistants: $34,610
- LPN/LVNs: $57,800
- Nurse Midwives: $97,490
- Nurse Practitioners: $119,910
- Nurse Anesthetists: $142,250
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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