Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Nurse - RN I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Nurse - RN I in the United States is $73,601 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, a Staff Nurse - RN I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,123
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,985 to $82,249
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,051
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Staff Nurse - RN I Salaries

A Staff Nurse - RN I'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Staff Nurse - RN I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Nurse - RN I'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:

  • Staff Nurse - RN I (0-2 years): $73,601
  • Staff Nurse - RN II (2-4 years): $83,419
  • Staff Nurse - RN III (4-7 years): $97,001
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Staff Nurse - RN I0-2 years$73,601
Staff Nurse - RN II2-4 years$83,419
Staff Nurse - RN III4-7 years$97,001
View as Graph

How Do Staff Nurse - RN Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Staff Nurse - RN Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,491.
  • California: $81,182.
  • Massachusetts: $80,100.

Top Paying Cities for Staff Nurse - RN I

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: $92,833
  • San Francisco: $91,817
  • Oakland: $89,882

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Nurse - RN I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.92% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 2.24% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.92%
Pediatric 2.93%
Basic Life Support 2.24%
See More Skills

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 Staff Nurse - RN I's salary.

  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Confidentiality $76,545
4%
Leadership $76,545
4%
Effective Communication $75,809
3%
Get Latest Data

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Staff Nurse - RN I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,931. While startup companies pay approximate $69,441.

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,441
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,409
Established 501~5000 $79,149
Enterprise 5000+ $81,931

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Nurse - RN I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Staff Nurse - RN positions in Software & Networking or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Nurse - RN I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Staff Nurse - RN I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$88,321$42.020%
Biotechnology$84,641$41.015%
Insurance$80,961$39.010%
Healthcare$77,281$37.05%

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Nurse - RN I'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 August 01, 2026
$65,985
Average $73,601/year
$82,249
$5,499
Average $6,133/month
$6,854
$1,269
Average $1,415/week
$1,582
$32
Average $35/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,249 $6,854 $1,582 $40
Average $73,601 $6,133 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $65,985 $5,499 $1,269 $32

Staff Nurse - RN I Salary Growth & Career Path

Staff Nurse - RN I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Staff Nurse - RN I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Maternity Services Director $161,998 120%
Head of Intensive Care Unit $154,113 109%
Staff Nurse - RN II $83,419 13%
Transplant Nurse Coordinator $110,094 50%

Most common benefits for Staff Nurse - RN I

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

Common company salaries for Staff Nurse - RN I

Here are companies hiring for Staff Nurse - RN I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Staff Nurse - RN I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff Nurse - RN I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Staff Nurse - RN I

1. Where can a Staff Nurse - RN I earn the most?

A Staff Nurse - RN I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Staff Nurse - RN I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Staff Nurse - RN I is $92,833.

2. What is the highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN I?

The highest pay for Staff Nurse - RN I is $90,123.

3. What is the lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN I?

The lowest pay for Staff Nurse - RN I is $59,051.

4. What are the responsibilities of Staff Nurse - RN I?

Provides professional nursing care to assigned patients. Records patient histories, performs various diagnostic tests, administers medications, and develops patient care plans in conjunction with other medical professionals. Assists physicians during examinations and procedures, operating and monitoring medical equipment as necessary. Observes patients' progress and records observations in patient medical records. Promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. May require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a valid state Registered Nurse (RN) license. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Nurse - RN I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Nurse - RN I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst