How Much Does a RN Psychiatric Nurse make?

RN Psychiatric Nurse made a median salary around $88,868 in December, 2024. The best-paid 25 percent made $98,870 probably that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around $81,205. 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 RN Psychiatric Nurse jobs in Colorado

Registered Nurse RN | New Rates!

Interim HealthCare - Pueblo, CO

Travel Nurse RN - OR in Lafayette, CO

Titan Medical Group - Lafayette, CO

Travel Nurse RN - OR in Montrose, CO

Titan Medical Group - Montrose, CO

Travel Nurse RN in Alamosa, CO

Specialty Professional Services - Alamosa, CO

download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Best-Paying Cities for RN Psychiatric Nurse

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the RN Psychiatric Nurse profession are Boulder , Eldorado Springs , Jamestown , Louisville , Niwot .
Boulder, CO $91,395
Eldorado Springs, CO $91,395
Jamestown, CO $91,395
Louisville, CO $91,395
Niwot, CO $91,395

Best-Paying States for RN Psychiatric Nurse

The states and districts that pay RN Psychiatric Nurse the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $96,971) , California (around $96,100) , New Jersey (around $95,490) , Alaska (around $94,880) , and Massachusetts (around $94,793) .
District of Columbia $96,971
California $96,100
New Jersey $95,490
Alaska $94,880
Massachusetts $94,793

What is the Career Path of RN Psychiatric Nurse?

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 RN Psychiatric Nurse, 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, RN Psychiatric Nurse can also turn to other related jobs, including Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric , Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric , Head Nurse - Psychiatric and Nurse Director - Psychiatric .

Frequently Asked Questions for RN Psychiatric Nurse

Q: What is the salary range of RN Psychiatric Nurse in Colorado?
A: In 2024 , the lowest-paid RN Psychiatric Nurse in Colorado earned an average annual salary of $81,205 , while the highest-paid made $98,870.
Q: What is the salary for a RN Psychiatric Nurse in California?
A: RN Psychiatric Nurse employed in California earned an average salary of $96,100 in 2024.

Average RN Psychiatric Nurse Pay vs. Other Jobs

RN Psychiatric Nurse earned an average salary of $88,868 in 2024. Other jobs related to RN Psychiatric Nurse earned the following average salary in December, 2024. Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric made $88,133 , Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric made $132,382 , Head Nurse - Psychiatric and Nurse Director - Psychiatric made $116,278 and $116,300 respectively .

Relevant Jobs of RN Psychiatric Nurse

Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric - Average Salary $88,133
Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric provides professional nursing care to assigned patients with varying levels of mental health disorders and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities, including outpatients and psychiatric inpatients. Works as part of an interdisciplinary medical team to evaluate patients and develop treatment plans. Being a Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric administers medications, monitors patient progress, and records observations in patient medical records. Promotes patients' independence by teaching patients and families to understand conditions, medications, and self-care skills. Additionally, Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric renders all services in compliance with industry standards, privacy laws, and regulatory requirements. May supervise lower-level nurses. May require a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Staff Nurse - RN - Psychiatric's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric - Average Salary $132,382
Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric works in collaboration with physicians to manage care for patients in a psychiatric setting. Orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians. Being a Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other therapeutic forms of treatment. Describes and documents treatment observations. Additionally, Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric provides primary care to psychiatry and at-risk patients. Renders all services in compliance with industry standards, privacy laws, and regulatory requirements. Requires a master's degree. Requires Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP). Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Head Nurse - Psychiatric - Average Salary $116,278
Head Nurse - Psychiatric directs nursing service activities for assigned patients in the psychiatric unit. Monitors workflow and delegates responsibilities to auxiliary and psychiatric staff nurses. Being a Head Nurse - Psychiatric ensures psychiatric patient clinical records are maintained in compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. Audits staff performance to continuously improve the quality of psychiatric care. Additionally, Head Nurse - Psychiatric monitors services rendered to ensure effective care. Maintains pre-set inventory levels for solutions, supplies, medicines, and equipment. Monitors, reports, tracks, and discloses the use of narcotics according to FDA requirements. Researches new technology or treatments to expand care options and services. Requires a master's degree. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a director. The Head Nurse - Psychiatric 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 personnel actions. To be a Head Nurse - Psychiatric typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Nurse Director - Psychiatric - Average Salary $116,300
The Nurse Director - Psychiatric monitors workflow and delegates responsibilities to auxiliary and psychiatric staff nurses. Directs nursing service activities for assigned patients in the psychiatric unit. Being a Nurse Director - Psychiatric audits staff performance to continuously improve the quality of psychiatric care. Ensures psychiatric patient clinical records are maintained in compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. In addition, Nurse Director - Psychiatric monitors services rendered to ensure effective care. Maintains pre-set inventory levels for solutions, supplies, medicines, and equipment. Monitors, reports, tracks, and discloses the use of narcotics according to FDA requirements. Researches new technology or treatments to expand care options and services. Requires a master's degree. Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Typically reports to a director. The Nurse Director - Psychiatric 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 personnel actions. Working as a Nurse Director - Psychiatric typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) - Average Salary $132,390
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians. Works in collaboration with physicians to manage care for patients in a psychiatric setting. Being a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides primary care to psychiatry and at-risk patients. Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other therapeutic forms of treatment. In addition, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) requires a master's degree. Requires Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) in specialty area based on RN licensure and state authority for advanced practice. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NP)'s years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.