As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for step down nurse in the US is $86,323, equivalent to $42 per hour, $1,660 weekly, or $7,194 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for step down nurse in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for step down nurse in the US vary widely, spanning from $76,453 to $100,444. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($81,157) and 75th percentile ($93,715), while top earners (90th percentile) make $100,444 per year. This $12,558 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 $76,453 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile step down nurse Salary $81,157 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile step down nurse Salary $86,323 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile step down nurse Salary $93,715 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile step down nurse Salary $100,444 US January 01, 2026
25% $81,157 10% $76,453 90% $100,444 75% $93,715 $86,323 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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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

 
 
 
81157
93715
86323

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
85142
103301
93313
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 $81,157 to $93,715 with the average base salary of $86,323. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $85,142 to $103,301 with the average total cash compensation of $93,313.

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81157
93715

 

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