As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for step down nurse in the US is $86,270, equivalent to $41 per hour, $1,659 weekly, or $7,189 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for step down nurse in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for step down nurse in the US vary widely, spanning from $77,377 to $100,371. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($81,615) and 75th percentile ($93,651), while top earners (90th percentile) make $100,371 per year. This $12,036 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Accountability or Staff Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia step down nurse often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 14 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
step down nurse Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile step down nurse Salary $77,377 US May 01, 2026
25th Percentile step down nurse Salary $81,615 US May 01, 2026
50th Percentile step down nurse Salary $86,270 US May 01, 2026
75th Percentile step down nurse Salary $93,651 US May 01, 2026
90th Percentile step down nurse Salary $100,371 US May 01, 2026
25% $81,615 10% $77,377 90% $100,371 75% $93,651 $86,270 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Check out step down nurse jobs in Columbus, Ohio

New Grad RN- Step Down - Neuro Expansion

Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH

RN/STEP DOWN

Wise Medical - Westlake, OH

LPN Step Down

University Hospitals - Westlake, OH

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What is a step down nurse ?

A step-down nurse, also known as a progressive care nurse, provides specialized care for patients who require closer monitoring than those in a general medical-surgical unit but do not need intensive care. Responsibilities include assessing patient conditions, administering medications, managing intravenous lines, and collaborating with healthcare teams to develop and implement care plans. Step-down nurses often monitor vital signs, perform diagnostic tests, and educate patients and families about health management. The salary for step-down nurses varies based on factors such as experience, lo...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
81615
93651
86270

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
85916
104236
94160
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of step down nurse in the United States. The base salary for step down nurse ranges from $81,615 to $93,651 with the average base salary of $86,270. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $85,916 to $104,236 with the average total cash compensation of $94,160.

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81615
93651

 

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