Ibrahim Gardner
Student nurses in the United States can expect to earn an average salary of $37,281 per year or $18 per hour. However, salaries vary depending on location, education, and experience. For example, student nurses in Hawaii, California, and Alaska earn higher average salaries than those in Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Additionally, certain cities, such as San Jose, CA, offer significantly higher compensation, with student nurses earning an average of $137,346. While the hourly pay for work-study programs is typically lower than that of registered nurses, nursing students can increase their earning potential by gaining experience, specializing in a particular field, and obtaining additional qualifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average salary per year | $37,281, $40,491, $50,355, $69,564 |
| Average salary per hour | $18, $19.11, $19.47, $24 |
| Salary range per hour | $9.13 to $33.89 |
| Salary range per year | $26,000 (10th percentile) to $52,000 (90th percentile), $41,021 (25th percentile) to $62,061 (75th percentile) |
| Highest salary per year | $74,764 (90th percentile) |
| Highest salary per hour | $30 |
| Highest-paying cities | San Jose, CA, Oxnard, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Webster, NY, Kentville, NS, Whitehorse, YT, Carcross, YT |
| Highest-paying states | Hawaii, California, Alaska |
| Lowest-paying states | Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi |
| Highest-paying companies | Kaiser Permanente, NYU Langone Health, Huntington Health, Boston Medical Center, Carondelet Health System Inc, GBMC Healthcare, University of Maryland Medical System |
| Other financial benefits | Grants, scholarships, loan payback programs, internships, externships |
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What You'll Learn
- Student nurse pay varies by location, with San Jose, CA, paying the most
- Student nurse salaries depend on experience, ranging from $33,391 to $48,934
- The average student nurse salary is $45,524 per year or $22 per hour
- Student nurses earn the highest average salary in Hawaii
- Student nurse pay ranges from $26,000 to $52,000 per year
Student nurse pay varies by location, with San Jose, CA, paying the most
Student nurse pay varies across the United States, with location being a significant factor in determining salary. As of July 2025, the average annual salary for a student nurse in the US is $45,524, with an hourly rate of $22. However, salaries can range from $33,391 to $62,061 per year or higher, depending on various factors.
Location is a critical factor influencing student nurse salaries, with certain states and cities offering higher pay. For example, the average yearly salary for a student nurse in California is $50,213, with San Francisco boasting an average of $56,855. However, San Jose, CA, stands out as the highest-paying city for student nurses, with an annual salary of $57,419, according to Salary.com. This figure is even higher on Comparably.com, which estimates the average total compensation for student nurses in San Jose at $137,346, a staggering 97% above the US average.
Other high-paying locations for student nurses include Hawaii, Alaska, Oxnard, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Webster, NY. The average student nurse salary in these states and cities is higher than in other parts of the country. Additionally, some sources mention Kentville, NS, Whitehorse, YT, and Carcross, YT, as places where student nurse salaries are above the national average.
Aside from location, other factors influencing student nurse pay include education, experience, industry, company size, and local market factors. For instance, an entry-level student nurse with less than a year of experience can expect to earn around $43,743, while those with over eight years of experience can make an average of $46,565. The top-paying industry for student nurses in the US is healthcare, with a median total pay of $53,625.
It's worth noting that salary estimates may vary across sources, and actual compensation can depend on the specific employer and other factors unique to each position. Student nurses are advised to consider the cost of living in their area when evaluating their salary and to negotiate their terms when possible.
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Student nurse salaries depend on experience, ranging from $33,391 to $48,934
Student nurse salaries in the United States vary depending on several factors, including location, education, experience, and industry. While the average annual salary for a student nurse is estimated to be between $35,173 and $69,564, salaries can range from $26,000 to $74,764 per year.
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a student nurse is $45,524, with an hourly rate of $22. However, salaries can range from $33,391 to $48,934, depending on experience. An entry-level student nurse with less than a year of experience can expect to earn around $43,743, while those with over eight years of experience can earn an average of $46,565.
The top-paying industry for student nurses in the United States is healthcare, with a median total pay of $53,625. Student nurses working in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey also tend to earn higher salaries, with average yearly salaries of $50,213, $49,544, and $49,343, respectively.
It is worth noting that student nurse salaries can also vary significantly between cities. For example, student nurses in San Francisco, California, earn an average yearly salary of $56,855, while those in San Jose, California, can earn up to $57,419. Additionally, student nurses in certain cities, such as Kentville, NS, and Whitehorse, YT, earn salaries that are significantly above the national average.
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The average student nurse salary is $45,524 per year or $22 per hour
The average student nurse salary varies depending on location, experience, and other factors. As of July 1st, 2025, the average annual salary for a student nurse in the United States is $45,524, with an hourly rate of $22. This is an increase from 2014, when the average student nurse earned $32,062 annually. The current salary range for student nurses is between $33,391 (10th percentile) and $48,934 (90th percentile), with most earning between $39,173 (25th percentile) and $47,309 (75th percentile).
The average student nurse salary can differ significantly from state to state due to factors such as the cost of living, local economies, and industry presence. For example, the average yearly salary for a student nurse in California is $50,213, while in Massachusetts, it is $49,544, and in New Jersey, it is $49,343. San Francisco, California, offers an even higher average salary of $56,855 per year. The highest-paying cities for student nurses include Oxnard, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Webster, New York. Hawaii, California, and Alaska are the highest-paying states, while Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee offer the lowest average salaries.
The top-paying industry for student nurses in the United States is Healthcare, with a median total pay of $53,625. Top-paying companies within this industry include Kaiser Permanente, NYU Langone Health, and Huntington Health. Student nurses at Boston Medical Center and the Carondelet Health System also receive some of the highest salaries.
Student nurse salaries can also vary depending on experience and specialty. Entry-level student nurses with less than one year of experience can expect to earn about $43,743, while those with 1-2 years of experience may earn around $44,173. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience can earn around $45,719, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $46,565. Additionally, certain specialties may offer "hot premium" shifts that pay significantly more due to staffing shortages, but these may be riskier and are typically not recommended for inexperienced nurses.
Overall, the average student nurse salary in the United States is $45,524 per year or $22 per hour, with variations based on location, experience, industry, and specific employers.
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Student nurses earn the highest average salary in Hawaii
A student nurse's salary is influenced by location, education, and experience. Student nurses in the United States earn an average of $37,281 per year, or $18 per hour. The average yearly salary for student nurses ranges from $35,173 to $69,564, with the lowest and highest wages being $26,000 and $52,000, respectively.
Student nurses in Hawaii, California, and Alaska are paid the highest average salaries in the country, while Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee have the lowest average salaries. Hawaii is one of the highest-paying states for registered nurses, with an average salary of $50.17 per hour, or $111,070 per year. This is significantly higher than the national average for registered nurses, which is $77,600 per year, or $37.31 per hour.
The top-paying industry for student nurses in the United States is healthcare, with a median total pay of $53,625. Kaiser Permanente, NYU Langone Health, and Huntington Health are among the top-paying companies in this industry. The highest-paying cities for student nurses include Oxnard, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Webster, New York.
The salary for student nurses can vary greatly, indicating that there may be opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and experience. For example, in Auburn, Massachusetts, the average salary for a student nurse is $19 per hour, which is slightly lower than the national average of $19.47.
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Student nurse pay ranges from $26,000 to $52,000 per year
Student nurse pay varies depending on several factors, including location, education, experience, and industry. While the reported salaries of student nurses differ across sources, they all indicate that pay rates can vary significantly.
According to Zippia, student nurse salaries typically range from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile. The average student nurse salary across various sources is estimated to be between $35,173 and $69,564 per year. However, it is important to note that these figures can vary based on the specific city and state. For example, in Hawaii, California, and Alaska, student nurses earn higher average salaries compared to states like Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Additionally, cities like Oxnard, Las Vegas, and Webster offer higher pay rates for student nurses.
The average hourly pay for a student nurse also varies across different sources and locations. As of July 2025, ZipRecruiter reported an average hourly wage of $19.47, with wages as high as $33.89 and as low as $9.13. In contrast, other sources reported hourly wages ranging from $18 to $24. Salary.com provided a more specific breakdown of hourly rates, indicating that student nurses earn an average of $22 per hour, with the majority earning between $16.35 and $19.23.
The top-paying industry for student nurses in the United States is healthcare, with a median total pay of $53,625. Companies like Kaiser Permanente, NYU Langone Health, and Huntington Health are among the highest-paying employers in this industry. Additionally, certain cities, such as San Jose, CA, offer significantly higher salaries, with annual wages reaching up to $57,419.
It is worth noting that student nurse salaries have been increasing over time. Between 2014 and 2025, the average student nurse salary rose by $5,219, reflecting a 10% change in pay over the last decade. This indicates a positive trend in the recognition and compensation of student nurses.
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Frequently asked questions
The average hourly pay for a student nurse in the US is $19.47. The hourly pay can be as low as $9.13 and as high as $33.89.
Sources suggest that the average yearly salary for a student nurse in the US is $40,491. However, another source suggests that the average yearly salary is $37,281.
Some of the highest-paying cities for student nurses are Kentville, Carcross and Whitehorse. Student nurses in these cities earn 28.2-29.1% more than the national average.
Some of the lowest-paying states for student nurses are Louisiana, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Student nurses can earn money through work-study programs, internships and externships. They can also take on part-time employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
