How Much Does a Medical-surgical nursing make?

Medical-surgical nursing made a median salary around $84,893 in December, 2024. The best-paid 25 percent made $93,903 probably that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around $76,348. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Check out Medical-surgical nursing jobs in Iowa
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Best-Paying Cities for Medical-surgical nursing

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Medical-surgical nursing profession are Buffalo Center , Carpenter , Chester , Grafton , Joice .
Buffalo Center, IA $88,087
Carpenter, IA $88,087
Chester, IA $88,087
Grafton, IA $88,087
Joice, IA $88,087

Best-Paying States for Medical-surgical nursing

The states and districts that pay Medical-surgical nursing the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $98,732) , California (around $97,845) , New Jersey (around $97,224) , Alaska (around $96,603) , and Massachusetts (around $96,514) .
District of Columbia $98,732
California $97,845
New Jersey $97,224
Alaska $96,603
Massachusetts $96,514

What is the Career Path of Medical-surgical nursing?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Medical-surgical nursing, the first career path typically progresses to Head Nurse - CCU.

The second career path typically progresses to Maternity Services Director.

The third career path typically progresses to Head Nurse - Emergency Room.

Additionally, the fourth career path typically starts with a Head Nurse - Intensive Care Unit position , and then progresses to Head of Intensive Care Unit.

Besides, Medical-surgical nursing can also turn to other related jobs, including Nursing Director , Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home , Nursing Manager - Nursing Home and Head of Nursing .

Frequently Asked Questions for Medical-surgical nursing

Q: What is the salary range of Medical-surgical nursing in Iowa?
A: In 2024 , the lowest-paid Medical-surgical nursing in Iowa earned an average annual salary of $76,348 , while the highest-paid made $93,903.
Q: What is the salary for a Medical-surgical nursing in California?
A: Medical-surgical nursing employed in California earned an average salary of $97,845 in 2024.

Average Medical-surgical nursing Pay vs. Other Jobs

Medical-surgical nursing earned an average salary of $84,893 in 2024. Other jobs related to Medical-surgical nursing earned the following average salary in December, 2024. Nursing Director made $161,380 , Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home made $82,238 , Nursing Manager - Nursing Home and Head of Nursing made $91,563 and $252,230 respectively .

Relevant Jobs of Medical-surgical nursing

Nursing Director - Average Salary $161,380
Nursing Director administers the nursing program in a hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility to maintain standards of patient care. Advises medical staff, department heads, and administrators in matters related to nursing service. Being a Nursing Director recommends establishment or revision of policies and develops organizational structure and standards of performance. Interprets policies and objectives of nursing service to staff and community groups. Additionally, Nursing Director requires an advanced degree of nursing. Typically reports to top management. Requires RN license. The Nursing Director typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. To be a Nursing Director typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.
Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home - Average Salary $82,238
Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home supervises the team responsible for providing nursing services within a nursing home. Responsible for implementing all nursing services in compliance with current local, state, and federal standards and regulations. Being a Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home monitors the quality of resident care and services and makes recommendations and/or adjustments as needed. May consult with residents' family members. Additionally, Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home may require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a manager. The Nursing Supervisor - Nursing Home supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small d
Nursing Manager - Nursing Home - Average Salary $91,563
Nursing Manager - Nursing Home manages the team responsible for providing nursing services within a nursing home. Responsible for implementing all nursing services in compliance with current local, state, and federal standards and regulations. Being a Nursing Manager - Nursing Home monitors the quality of resident care and services and makes recommendations and/or adjustments as needed. May consult with residents' family members. Additionally, Nursing Manager - Nursing Home may require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a director. The Nursing Manager - Nursing Home manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for perso
Head of Nursing - Average Salary $252,230
Head of Nursing plans and directs all nursing personnel. Develops and implements nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives. Being a Head of Nursing reviews nursing department operations to ensure compliance with established standards. Ensures that all patients receive the highest quality care. Additionally, Head of Nursing requires a master's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to top management. The Head of Nursing manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. To be a Head of Nursing typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience.
Instructor - Nursing - Average Salary $62,664
Instructor - Nursing teaches courses in the discipline area of nursing. Develops and designs curriculum plans to foster student learning, stimulate class discussions, and ensures student engagement. Being an Instructor - Nursing provides tutoring and academic counseling to students, maintains classes related records, and assesses student coursework. Collaborates and supports colleagues regarding research interests and co-curricular activities. Additionally, Instructor - Nursing typically reports to a department head. Has a Master's degree or is a PhD candidate in the applicable field. Has experience and is qualified to teach at undergraduate level and possesses the qualifications to participate in research.