Table of Contents
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Med-Surg RNs:Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Med-Surg RNs:What is the average incentive bonus for a Med-Surg Nurse Job?Employed vs. self-employed Med-Surg RN Job2. Do Med-Surg nurses earn more than other RNs?3. Do travel Med-Surg nurses make more than employed nurses?4. What factors influence a Med-Surg nurse’s salary?5. Do Med Surg nurses receive bonuses?Medical Surgical Nurse Job Description
A medical surgical (med-surg) nurse is a registered nurse who cares for patients who are recovering from surgery and manages both acute and chronic conditions. The primary responsibilities of a Med Surg Nurse includes monitoring patient conditions, administering medications, preparing patients for surgery, and providing post-operative care, pain medications, and discharge information.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than other occupations. Med-surgery continues to be one of the most in-demand specialties due to an aging population, an increase in surgeries and chronic conditions, and nurse burnout and movement to other specialties.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Med-Surg RN Jobs in the US
The med-surg nurse salary is influenced by the demand for the specialty, the cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter.com, the highest and lowest paying states for med-surg RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Med-Surg RNs:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Med-Surg RNs:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Med Surg Nurse Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/medical-surgical-staff-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The Med Surg nurse salary in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, and institution of employment. An entry-level salary is between $31 to $36 an hour which is $65,000-$75,000 annually. The average salary for a med-surg nurse is $87,511 per year, or $42.09 per hour. The median salary is around $94,480 annually or $45.42 per hour.
A traveling medical surgical nurse will receive a higher hourly rate because of the temporary nature of their job. The average salary for a travel med-surg nurse is about $2,140 per week or $111,280 per year. Salaries can range from $2,527 in California to $2,644 per week in Alaska.
Average Med-Surg Nurse Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $77,440 | $1,489 | $37.23 |
| Alaska | $67,962 | $1,306 | $32.67 |
| Arizona | $81,517 | $1,567 | $39.19 |
| Arkansas | $76,907 | $1,478 | $36.97 |
| California | $110,642 | $2,127 | $53.19 |
| Colorado | $74,830 | $1,439 | $35.98 |
| Connecticut | $109,900 | $2,113 | $52.84 |
| Delaware | $102,297 | $1,967 | $49.18 |
| Florida | $84,151 | $1,618 | $40.46 |
| Georgia | $82,833 | $1,592 | $39.82 |
| Hawaii | $98,240 | $1,889 | $47.23 |
| Idaho | $80,408 | $1,546 | $38.66 |
| Illinois | $86,387 | $1,661 | $41.53 |
| Indiana | $80,447 | $1,547 | $38.68 |
| Iowa | $74,462 | $1,432 | $35.80 |
| Kansas | $79,874 | $1,536 | $38.40 |
| Kentucky | $82,777 | $1,592 | $39.80 |
| Louisiana | $78,466 | $1,509 | $37.72 |
| Maine | $87,912 | $1,690 | $42.27 |
| Maryland | $96,737 | $1,860 | $46.51 |
| Massachusetts | $97,565 | $1,876 | $46.91 |
| Michigan | $92,385 | $1,776 | $44.42 |
| Minnesota | $83,099 | $1,598 | $39.95 |
| Mississippi | $74,409 | $1,430 | $35.77 |
| Missouri | $77,161 | $1,438 | $37.10 |
| Montana | $76,838 | $1,477 | $36.94 |
| Nebraska | $79,624 | $1,531 | $38.28 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $1,559 | $38.99 |
| New Hampshire | $92,905 | $1,786 | $44.67 |
| New Jersey | $104,244 | $2,004 | $50.12 |
| New Mexico | $81,807 | $1,573 | $39.33 |
| New York | $101,756 | $1,956 | $48.92 |
| North Carolina | $78,090 | $1,502 | $37.54 |
| North Dakota | $81,287 | $1,563 | $39.08 |
| Ohio | $82,713 | $1,590 | $39.77 |
| Oklahoma | $83,068 | $1,597 | $39.94 |
| Oregon | $91,287 | $1,755 | $43.89 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,866 | $1,670 | $41.76 |
| Rhode Island | $119,411 | $2,296 | $57.41 |
| South Carolina | $78,326 | $1,506 | $37.66 |
| South Dakota | $75,561 | $1,453 | $36.33 |
| Tennessee | $84,086 | $1,617 | $40.43 |
| Texas | $86,618 | $1,666 | $41.64 |
| Utah | $81,420 | $1,194 | $39.14 |
| Vermont | $83,954 | $1,566 | $40.36 |
| Virginia | $88,205 | $1,696 | $42.41 |
| Washington | $87,512 | $1,683 | $42.07 |
| West Virginia | $79,539 | $1,529 | $38.24 |
| Wisconsin | $83,636 | $1,608 | $40.21 |
| Wyoming | $90,548 | $1,741 | $43.53 |
**Data from Zippia
Average Med-Surg Nurse Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $111,228 | $2,139 | $53.48 |
| Alaska | $125,788 | $2,419 | $60.47 |
| Arizona | $117,832 | $2,266 | $56.65 |
| Arkansas | $113,828 | $2,189 | $54.72 |
| California | $139,828 | $2,689 | $67.22 |
| Colorado | $122,148 | $2,349 | $58.72 |
| Connecticut | $119,704 | $2,302 | $57.55 |
| Delaware | $118,612 | $2,281 | $57.02 |
| Florida | $109,980 | $2,115 | $52.88 |
| Georgia | $114,140 | $2,195 | $54.87 |
| Hawaii | $117,208 | $2,254 | $56.35 |
| Idaho | $112,944 | $2,172 | $54.30 |
| Illinois | $122,252 | $2,351 | $58.78 |
| Indiana | $113,464 | $2,182 | $54.55 |
| Iowa | $115,856 | $2,228 | $55.70 |
| Kansas | $114,452 | $2,201 | $55.02 |
| Kentucky | $117,988 | $2,269 | $56.72 |
| Louisiana | $113,984 | $2,192 | $54.80 |
| Maine | $117,520 | $2,260 | $56.50 |
| Maryland | $117,520 | $2,260 | $56.50 |
| Massachusetts | $128,960 | $2,480 | $62.00 |
| Michigan | $117,520 | $2,260 | $56.50 |
| Minnesota | $123,916 | $2,383 | $59.58 |
| Mississippi | $103,428 | $1,989 | $49.72 |
| Missouri | $112,528 | $2,164 | $54.10 |
| Montana | $112,476 | $2,163 | $54.08 |
| Nebraska | $103,324 | $1,987 | $49.68 |
| Nevada | $113,360 | $2,180 | $54.50 |
| New Hampshire | $119,496 | $2,298 | $57.22 |
| New Jersey | $119,028 | $2,289 | $57.22 |
| New Mexico | $116,532 | $2,241 | $56.03 |
| New York | $130,988 | $2,519 | $62.98 |
| North Carolina | $115,908 | $2,229 | $55.73 |
| North Dakota | $118,248 | $2,274 | $56.85 |
| Ohio | $114,660 | $2,205 | $55.13 |
| Oklahoma | $110,240 | $2,120 | $53.00 |
| Oregon | $125,892 | $2,421 | $60.53 |
| Pennsylvania | $119,756 | $2,303 | $57.58 |
| Rhode Island | $119,912 | $2,306 | $57.65 |
| South Carolina | $111,072 | $2,136 | $53.40 |
| South Dakota | $118,248 | $2,274 | $56.85 |
| Tennessee | $114,660 | $2,205 | $55.12 |
| Texas | $117,676 | $2,263 | $56.57 |
| Utah | $114,868 | $2,209 | $55.22 |
| Vermont | $120,016 | $2,308 | $57.70 |
| Virginia | $117,468 | $2,259 | $56.47 |
| Washington | $127,296 | $2,448 | $61.20 |
| West Virginia | $115,336 | $2,218 | $55.40 |
| Wisconsin | $115,440 | $2,220 | $55.50 |
| Wyoming | $112,476 | $2,163 | $54.08 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter
What is the average incentive bonus for a Med-Surg Nurse Job?
A med-surg nurse can receive many types of bonuses including sign-on, performance, referral, retention, shift-differentials, extra shift, and holiday bonuses. Sign-on bonuses can range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on demand in the area, facility and the level of experience required. Many med-surg nurses can earn bonuses for taking on more hours ($30) or for filling staffing shortages which can range from $250 per shift or up to $2,000 for taking on multiple shifts. A retention or performance-based bonus can range between $3,000 to $10,000 depending upon the need in the area.
Employed vs. self-employed Med-Surg RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed med-surge RNs. Employed nurses have a fixed, stable salary, health insurance, retirement plans, education reimbursement, and paid time off. They usually work for a hospital system and have less financial risk and less flexibility in scheduling.
A self-employed or travel med-surg RN works with a staffing agency. They often have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs, and may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan.
Most common benefits for a Med-Surg RN
Being a med-surgy RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1. Job Security- Med-surg nurses are always in demand due to high patient volume and nurse turnover.
2. Broad Clinical Experience- Med-surg RNs have exposure to a wide range of conditions.
3. Diverse Career Pathway- Many nurses use med-surg to move toward a specialty like ICU, ER or oncology.
4. Skill Development- Med-surg nurses have exposure to multi-tasking, critical thinking and responding quickly in a crisis and gain experience in IV therapy, telemetry, and wound care.
5. Travel & Flexibility- Med-surg is in high demand for travel nursing with high pay and flexible contracts.
6. Teamwork and Collaboration-Med-surg nurses work as part of an interdisciplinary team with other nurses, techs, and physicians.
7. Personal Development– A med-surg nurse can gain confidence in their abilities while working in a fast-paced environment.
8. Work-Life Balance: Med-surg nurses have schedule flexibility with opportunities for per diem or travel roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a Med-Surg nurse make annually?
Med-surg nurses in the United States earn an average annual salary of approximately $94,480 which is $45.42 per hour. The annual salary for med-surg nurses is typically between $63,720 and $132,680.
2. Do Med-Surg nurses earn more than other RNs?
Medical-surgical (med-surg) nurses typically earn salaries that are comparable to or slightly less than the national average for an RN; however, the role can be used as a foundation to move into other higher paying specialties.
3. Do travel Med-Surg nurses make more than employed nurses?
Yes, travel med-surg nurses typically make significantly more than an employed med-surg nurses though the higher pay comes with a temporary contract, relocation, and less job stability.
4. What factors influence a Med-Surg nurse’s salary?
There are several factors that can impact a med-surg nurse’s salary including experience, location, certifications, shift differentials, and type of facility.
5. Do Med Surg nurses receive bonuses?
Yes, med-surg nurses often receive bonuses including sign-on, shift incentives, performance, referral, and retention bonuses.s. Like other medical professionals, the most common types of bonuses include sign-on, shift incentives, performance, and retention bonuses.
Now that you know what Med-Surg nurses earn, make sure your resume is ready to land the job. Check out our step-by-step Med-Surg Nurse Resume Guide to stand out and get hired!