The general nursing profession has several sub-specializations, and one of those considered most stable is pediatric nursing. If you are considering this specialty, you may be asking, how much is a pediatric nurse salary?
Well provide different sampling of hourly, weekly, and yearly wages for pediatric nurses through the U.S. and look at factors that affect a pediatric nurses salary.
By the numbers: Yearly and hourly rates
From the November 2013 data of salary.com the source for statistics in this article the national median annual salary for all pediatric nurses is $62,082. This turns out to $29.84 per hour or $1,193.88 gross pay each week if you work a 40-hour-workweek.
The database shows that those who belong to the lowest 10 percent of this occupational group earn below $51,349 annually; and those in the uppermost 10 percent earn more than $74,956 annually.
Those in the lowest 10% average $24.68 per hour or $987.74 gross pay per week based on a 40 hour week. While those in the upper 10% average $36.03 per hour or $1441.46 gross each week if they work 40 hours.
Factors that influence the salary of pediatric nurses
It is important to understand that there are many things to consider about a pediatric nursing salary. It is true that it could be one of the occupations that pay well, but it also requires investment of a lot of time, money, and hard work.
A pediatric nurse practitioners salary is influenced by many things and varies with the following factors:
1. Region, state or city where the pediatric nurse works
It matters where pediatric nurses work when determining their salary range. Salaries are influenced by the cost of living standards which differ from one state to another.
Living in New York will definitely be more costly than living in Florida; hence, salaries are standardized differently.
New York pediatric nurses, for instance, earn an annual median of $72,387. There are cities in New York, however, where the median salaries fall below the national median.
Maryland is one of the highest-paying states, in terms of pediatric nurse salaries. Pediatric nurses in Bethesda, Maryland earn a median of $67,296 annually, and all the other cities in Maryland have medians higher than the national median.
In Los Angeles, the median salary for pediatric nurses is $66,986. California has higher state median salaries than the national median salary.
Pediatric nurses earn an annual median wage of $60,902 in Miami, where all Florida cities reflect pediatric nurses salaries below the national median.
In New Baden, Texas, the annual median is $53,370; while it is $57,612 in Geneva, Georgia.
2. Type of employer
The employer or medical setting where a pediatric nurse works will also determine the income of the practitioner.
Hospitals and surgical centers generally pay higher salary rates than firms, doctor offices, or private clinics.
Large hospitals also have attractive packages and fringe benefits to draw the highly competitive pediatric nurses and other occupational groups.
3. Educational background
Registered nurses complete their associates degree and may complete a bachelor of science in nursing, but those who have specialized education associated with pediatric nursing are preferred. They are more likely to receive competitive salaries.
You may decide to complete a master’s degree in pediatric nursing. This will certainly introduce a big difference to your paycheck.
Employers will see additional education as a dedication from your end to improve in the field of pediatric nursing.
This additional coursework of 2 years can be taken after your bachelor’s degree in nursing, but this can also be taken after you have worked for a while and found the need to hone your ability and competency, and widen career advancement opportunities.
4. Experience
The annual median salaries usually refer to salaries received by practitioners with experiences ranging from 5 to 9 years in the occupational group.
From 10 years up, the salaries noticeably increase. This is understandable because the number of years in service usually combines with other factors, such as certificates obtained and specialty areas developed, and together they become strong determinants for promotion and higher pay.
5. Specialty area in pediatrics
Highly-specialized areas in pediatrics demand more expertise and focus. Because of their skill and specialization, pediatric nurses working in these areas are paid higher salary rates.
In ascending order in terms of salaries received, here are the specialty areas where pediatric nurses usually specialize – emergency, intensive care unit (ICU), general pediatrics, nursery, labor/delivery/birth, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Pediatric nurses who work in areas requiring them to be more trained and competent are usually compensated more due to the demanding nature of their responsibilities.
Meaningful, well-paying job
Pediatric nurses not only bring their skills to the physician or hospital they work for, but they also provide a special kind of comfort to the families of children they help treat.
Children and infants in intensive care, critical care, and oncology units need a different kind of interaction with healthcare providers, and a pediatric nurse has specified expertise along these areas.
You might think that pediatric nursing seems such an intense field of nursing. But practitioners of this occupational group also find themselves in less intense working environments.
They are invaluable as pediatric nurses in preventive healthcare services, family medicine offices, and schools. Children have special needs and react differently to illnesses, injuries, and medications. Children even communicate differently, and parents will attest that they can be difficult at times.
Fortunately, there are pediatric nurses trained to respond to this special kind of client. They provide first aid and outpatient care, collaborate with doctors, and plan out treatment for children.
The doctor relies on a competent and qualified personnel to gather information and assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of the patient.
The nurses’ responsibility extends to assuring parents and showing them how to do the home care and special needs aspects of the child’s treatment.
I hope this has helped you determine factors that affect a pediatric nurses salary and provided an overview of their wages.