How much does a Flight Nurse make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Flight Nurse in the United States is $94,780 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Flight Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,058
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,350 to $101,730
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,496

Key Factors That Influence Flight Nurse Salaries

A Flight Nurse's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Flight Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Flight Nurse's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $92,669
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,149
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,299
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,203
  • Expert (over 8 years): $98,411
Levels Salary
Entry Level Flight Nurse$92,669
Intermediate Level Flight Nurse$93,149
Senior Level Flight Nurse$95,299
Specialist Level Flight Nurse$98,203
Expert Level Flight Nurse$98,411

Top Paying Cities for Flight Nurses

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $119,550
  • San Francisco: $118,240
  • Oakland: $115,750

What Skills Can Increase a Flight Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Accountability (Mentioned in 4.71% Job Postings): Setting and holding oneself and others to stated expectations by associating tasks with our business's mission, values, and goals.
  • Staff Development (Mentioned in 2.66% Job Postings): Refers to all the policies, practices, and procedures used to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies of staff to improve the effectiveness and efficiency both of the individual and the University.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.88% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Accountability 4.71%
Staff Development 2.66%
CPR 1.88%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Flight Nurse's salary.

  • Collective Bargaining: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collective Bargaining $100,467
6%
Teamwork $98,571
4%
Accountability $98,571
4%

Flight Nurse Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Flight Nurse salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $100,599. While startup companies pay approximate $85,669.

Flight Nurse Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $85,669
Growth Stage 51~500 $90,456
Established 501~5000 $97,287
Enterprise 5000+ $100,599

Flight Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Flight Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Flight Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Flight Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Flight Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$113,736$55.020%

How Education impacts a Flight Nurse's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Flight Nurses enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Flight Nurse with a Associate's Degree is between $91,069 and $97,134).

Flight Nurse Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Flight Nurse
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.7%
High School 7.7%
Associates 41.0%
Bachelors 41.0%
Masters 10.3%
Doctorate 0.0%

Flight Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Flight Nurse's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,350
Average $94,780/year
$101,730
$7,363
Average $7,898/month
$8,478
$1,699
Average $1,823/week
$1,956
$42
Average $46/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $101,730 $8,478 $1,956 $49
Average $94,780 $7,898 $1,823 $46
25th Percentile $88,350 $7,363 $1,699 $42

Most common benefits for Flight Nurse

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Flight Nurse

Here are companies hiring for Flight Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Flight Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Flight Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Flight Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do flight nurses get paid more?

Flight Nurses earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $86,080, a mid-range salary of $96,980, and a maximum of $108,920. This compensation reflects their specialized skills and the demanding nature of their work, often exceeding the national average in various states, including New York and California.

3. Why is travel nurse salary so high?

Travel nurse salaries are high due to their ability to negotiate contracts and select higher-paying positions. For instance, flight nurses earn between $86,080 and $108,920 annually, with a median salary of $96,980. This flexibility allows them to maximize their earnings compared to traditional staff nurses.

4. What state pays flight nurses the most?

Flight nurses can expect a salary range between $86,080 and $108,920, with a median salary of $96,980. While some states like the District of Columbia and New York offer higher salaries, flight nurses generally earn well within this range, making it a lucrative career choice.

5. How long is flight nurse school?

To become a flight nurse, it typically takes 5-12 years. This includes obtaining an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and gaining experience, often around three years. Flight nurses earn between $86,080 and $108,920 annually, with a median salary of $96,980, reflecting the specialized skills and training required for this role.

6. What is the highest paid travel nurse USA?

The highest paid travel nurse roles in the USA include positions like Flight Nurse, with salaries ranging from $86,080 to $108,920 annually. Other high-paying travel nursing jobs, such as Travel Registered Nurse in NICU, PACU, and Oncology, can offer salaries between $93,000 and $154,500, showcasing the lucrative opportunities in this field.

7. How long are flight nurse shifts?

A full-time flight nurse typically works up to 10 24-hour shifts over four weeks, while part-time nurses may work three shifts monthly. Some employers also offer 12-hour shifts. Flight nurses earn between $86,080 and $108,920 annually, with a median salary of $96,980, reflecting the demanding nature of their role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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