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Nursery Nurse Salary in the United States

How much does a Nursery Nurse make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nursery Nurse in the United States is $88,604 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, a Nursery Nurse's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,336
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,939 to $98,933
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,960
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Nursery Nurse Salaries

A Nursery Nurse'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 Nursery Nurse Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nursery Nurse'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $85,354
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,920
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $88,604
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,857
  • Expert (over 8 years): $93,161
Levels Salary
Entry Level Nursery Nurse$85,354
Intermediate Level Nursery Nurse$85,920
Senior Level Nursery Nurse$88,604
Specialist Level Nursery Nurse$92,857
Expert Level Nursery Nurse$93,161
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How Do Nursery Nurse 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 Nursery Nurses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $98,102.
  • California: $97,730.
  • Massachusetts: $96,428.

Top Paying Cities for Nursery Nurses

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: $111,756
  • San Francisco: $110,532
  • Oakland: $108,203

What Skills Can Increase a Nursery Nurse's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 4.03% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Pediatric Care (Mentioned in 3.84% Job Postings): Providing direct nursing care and health services for children, ranging from preventive healthcare to diagnosing and treating diseases.
  • Staff Development (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): Refers to all the policies, practices, and procedures used to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies of staff to improve the effectiveness and efficiency both of the individual and the University.
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 4.03%
Pediatric Care 3.84%
Staff Development 1.9%
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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 Nursery Nurse's salary.

  • Acute Care: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Acute Care $96,578
9%
Teamwork $95,692
8%
Risk Management $94,806
7%
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Nursery Nurse Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nursery Nurse roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Nursery Nurse positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nursery Nurse as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Nursery Nurse

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$97,464$47.010%

Nursery Nurse Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nursery Nurse'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 September 01, 2026
$80,939
Average $88,604/year
$98,933
$6,745
Average $7,384/month
$8,244
$1,557
Average $1,704/week
$1,903
$39
Average $43/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $98,933 $8,244 $1,903 $48
Average $88,604 $7,384 $1,704 $43
25th Percentile $80,939 $6,745 $1,557 $39

Most common benefits for Nursery Nurse

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

Common company salaries for Nursery Nurse

Here are companies hiring for Nursery Nurse and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Nursery Nurse

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Nursery Nurse?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Nursery Nurse roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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.

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