Telemetry Nurse Job Description
A telemetry nurse continually monitors a patient’s heart and vital signs. They are RNs who are trained to use telemetry equipment to track heart rhythms, detect arrhythmias, and respond to changes which could be life-threatening.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for telemetry nurses is expected to grow by 6% to 9% in the next decade. The demand is driven by an aging population and an increase in both the number of chronic cardiac conditions and hospital admissions. A telemetry nurse with an advanced certifications (ACLS or PCCN) and telemetry-specific experience are especially in high demand.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Telemetry RN Jobs in the US
The Telemetry Nurse salary is influenced by their experience, location, work setting, and certifications. According to Zippia.com the highest and lowest paying states for telemetry RNs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Telemetry RNs:
1. Rhode Island
2. Massachusetts
3. New Jersey
4. Connecticut
5. Maryland
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Telemetry RNs:
1. Iowa
2. Alaska
3. South Dakota
4. New Mexico
5. North Dakota
The state salary data varies between sources.
Historical Data (Salary Outlook) For Telemetry Nurse Salary Median
** Chart from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/telemetry-nurse/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
The salary for a telemetry nurse in the U.S. is influenced by their experience, location, certifications, and hospital size. An entry-level salary for a non-traveling telemetry nurse is $58,000 to $70,000 annually which is $28-$34 per hour. The median salary is around $75,000 to $83,000 annually, which is $36 to $40 per hour. The average salary for a telemetry RN is $79,000 to $87,000 per year or $38 to $42 an hour. A traveling entry level telemetry nurse can earn $93,000 to $110,000 per year and the median salary for a telemetry nurse is $115,000 to $130,000 per year.
Average Telemetry RN Salary by State (for non-traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $73,538 | $1,414 | $35.35 |
| Alaska | $96,842 | $1,862 | $46.56 |
| Arizona | $77,313 | $1,487 | $37.17 |
| Arkansas | $72,928 | $1,402 | $35.06 |
| California | $108,071 | $2,078 | $51.96 |
| Colorado | $68,129 | $1,310 | $32.75 |
| Connecticut | $87,355 | $1,679 | $42.00 |
| Delaware | $99,282 | $1,909 | $47.73 |
| Florida | $74,101 | $1,425 | $35.63 |
| Georgia | $88,349 | $1,699 | $42.48 |
| Hawaii | $101,836 | $1,958 | $48.96 |
| Idaho | $76,783 | $1,476 | $36.91 |
| Illinois | $83,687 | $1,609 | $40.23 |
| Indiana | $64,025 | $1,231 | $30.78 |
| Iowa | $60,856 | $1,170 | $29.26 |
| Kansas | $72,006 | $1,385 | $34.62 |
| Kentucky | $81,990 | $1,577 | $39.42 |
| Louisiana | $81,661 | $1,570 | $39.26 |
| Maine | $70,538 | $1,356 | $33.91 |
| Maryland | $83,208 | $1,600 | $40.00 |
| Massachusetts | $92,108 | $1,771 | $44.28 |
| Michigan | $99,722 | $1,918 | $47.94 |
| Minnesota | $78,191 | $1,504 | $37.59 |
| Mississippi | $70,803 | $1,362 | $34.04 |
| Missouri | $76,257 | $1,466 | $36.66 |
| Montana | $67,426 | $1,297 | $32.42 |
| Nebraska | $68,837 | $1,324 | $33.09 |
| Nevada | $85,444 | $1,643 | $41.08 |
| New Hampshire | $78,179 | $1,503 | $37.59 |
| New Jersey | $96,573 | $1,857 | $46.43 |
| New Mexico | $75,591 | $1,454 | $36.34 |
| New York | $124,401 | $2,392 | $59.81 |
| North Carolina | $74,402 | $1,431 | $35.77 |
| North Dakota | $65,168 | $1,253 | $31.33 |
| Ohio | $92,284 | $1,775 | $44.37 |
| Oklahoma | $63,423 | $1,220 | $30.49 |
| Oregon | $85,569 | $1,646 | $41.14 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,444 | $1,951 | $48.77 |
| Rhode Island | $91,288 | $1,756 | $43.89 |
| South Carolina | $65,023 | $1,250 | $31.26 |
| South Dakota | $70,249 | $1,351 | $33.77 |
| Tennessee | $78,843 | $1,516 | $37.91 |
| Texas | $75,076 | $1,444 | $36.09 |
| Utah | $79,151 | $1,522 | $38.05 |
| Vermont | $79,281 | $1,525 | $38.12 |
| Virginia | $83,877 | $1,613 | $40.33 |
| Washington | $81,370 | $1,565 | $39.12 |
| West Virginia | $85,764 | $1,649 | $41.23 |
| Wisconsin | $86,342 | $1,660 | $41.51 |
| Wyoming | $80,445 | $1,547 | $38.68 |
**Data from Zippia
Average Telemetry RN Job Salary by State (for traveling)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $81,581 | $1,569 | $39.22 |
| Alaska | 92,246 | $1,774 | $44.35 |
| Arizona | $86,431 | $1,662 | $41.55 |
| Arkansas | $83,512 | $1,606 | $40.15 |
| California | $102,558 | $1,972 | $49.30 |
| Colorado | $89,597 | $1,723 | $43.07 |
| Connecticut | $87,807 | $1,689 | $42.21 |
| Delaware | $87,000 | $1,673 | $41.83 |
| Florida | $83,257 | $1,601 | $40.02 |
| Georgia | $83,710 | $1,610 | $40.25 |
| Hawaii | $85,970 | $1,653 | $41.33 |
| Idaho | $82,849 | $1,593 | $39.83 |
| Illinois | $89,672 | $1,724 | $43.11 |
| Indiana | $83,206 | $1,600 | $40.00 |
| Iowa | $84,952 | $1,634 | $40.84 |
| Kansas | $81,920 | $1,575 | $39.38 |
| Kentucky | $86,518 | $1,664 | $41.60 |
| Louisiana | $83,598 | $1,607 | $40.19 |
| Maine | $89,060 | $1,712 | $42.82 |
| Maryland | $86,171 | $1,657 | $41.43 |
| Massachusetts | $94,569 | $1,818 | $45.47 |
| Michigan | $88,290 | $1,698 | $42.45 |
| Minnesota | $88,039 | $1,693 | $42.32 |
| Mississippi | $75,856 | $1,459 | $36.47 |
| Missouri | $84,631 | $1,628 | $40.69 |
| Montana | $82,491 | $1,586 | $39.66 |
| Nebraska | $75,785 | $1,457 | $36.44 |
| Nevada | $85,253 | $1,639 | $40.99 |
| New Hampshire | $87,620 | $1,685 | $42.13 |
| New Jersey | $87,288 | $1,679 | $41.97 |
| New Mexico | $85,449 | $1,643 | $41.08 |
| New York | $95,234 | $1,831 | $45.79 |
| North Carolina | $85,021 | $1,635 | $40.88 |
| North Dakota | $86,729 | $1,668 | $41.70 |
| Ohio | $84,080 | $1,617 | $40.42 |
| Oklahoma | $80,864 | $1,555 | $38.88 |
| Oregon | $87,487 | $1,682 | $42.06 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,839 | $1,689 | $42.23 |
| Rhode Island | $87,939 | $1,691 | $42.28 |
| South Carolina | $81,461 | $1,567 | $39.16 |
| South Dakota | $86,737 | $1,668 | $41.70 |
| Tennessee | $84,079 | $1,617 | $40.42 |
| Texas | $86,283 | $1,659 | $41.48 |
| Utah | $84,237 | $1,589 | $39.73 |
| Vermont | $88,002 | $1,692 | $42.30 |
| Virginia | $86,145 | $1,657 | $41.42 |
| Washington | $93,343 | $1,795 | $44.88 |
| West Virginia | $84,600 | $1,627 | $40.67 |
| Wisconsin | $87,712 | $1,687 | $42.17 |
| Wyoming | $82,488 | $1,586 | $39.66 |
Note: From ZipRecruiter
What is the average incentive bonus for a Telemetry RN Job?
A telemetry nurse can receive many types of bonuses including sign-on, performance, referral, retention, and shift/weekend differentials. Sign-on bonuses can range from $5,000 to $20,000 and are usually paid out over 1-2 years. They can also earn bonuses for taking on more shifts or weekend shifts which can range between $2.00- $10.00 more per hour. Telemetry nurses can earn a retention bonus which can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or a performance bonus which can vary between $1,000-$5,000 based on the hospital’s performance. Finally, they may also be offered a bonus from $500 to $5,000 for referring another RN for the unit.
Employed vs. self-employed Telemetry RN Job
Salaries vary between employed and self-employed telemetry nurses with traveling nurses earning more. Employed telemetry RNs 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 travel telemetry RN will work independently through a staffing agency. They have higher earning potential and flexibility; however, they must find their own jobs. They may/may not be provided with healthcare, liability coverage or a retirement plan. They are considered 1099 employees and will need to submit their own taxes.
Most common benefits for a Telemetry RN
Being a telemetry RN comes with many professional and personal benefits including:
1. High Demand/Job Security- Telemetry RNs are in high demand and are essential to hospital operations. There are many opportunities to travel also.
2. Competitive Salary & Bonuses- Telemetry nurses earn more than average RNs and have an opportunity to earn sign-on, retention, and shift-differential bonuses.
3. Specialized Skill Development- Telemetry nurses have a specialized skill set including expertise in interpreting EKGs, identifying arrhythmias, and managing cardiac conditions.
4. Flexible Work life- Telemetry RNs can take night shifts, travel assignments, or per diem work for a better work-life balance or higher earnings.
5. Job Satisfaction- Telemetry requires ongoing education and adaptation which can be rewarding.
6. Teamwork and Collaboration-Telemetry nurses work as part of the health care team and develop strong professional relationships and camaraderie.
7. Personal Development– A telemetry nurse can receive advanced credentials like ACLS, BLS, or PCCN for more growth and income.
8. Financial Benefits- Besides compensation, employed telemetry nurses are given insurance, retirement plans and can earn bonuses, shift differentials, and PTO.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a telemetry nurse make per year?
A telemetry nurse can earn between $75,000 to $87,000 per year, depending on the location, experience, bonuses, and shift differentials. Entry-level RNs may start around $58,000 but experienced nurses can earn over $90,000. Traveling telemetry nurses can make more than $110,00 per year.
2. Does a telemetry nurse make more than a medical-surgical nurse?
Yes, Telemetry nurses earn slightly more because of their specialization.
3. Is there a salary difference between day and night shifts for telemetry nurses?
Yes, most hospitals pay differentials for night, weekend, or holiday shifts. Nurses can receive $2–$10 more per hour.
4. Do telemetry nurses receive sign-on or performance bonuses?
Yes, they can receive a $5,000 to $20,000 sign-on bonus in a high-demand or understaffed area and a $1,000 to $10,000 performance bonus depending on them meeting the facility’s goals.
5. What factors influence a telemetry nurse’s salary the most?
Geographic location, years of experience, having a certification like ACLS or CCRN, shift type and hospital size/type can all impact a telemetry nurse’s salary.
Now that you know what Telemetry Nurses earn, check out our open TELE contracts!