Med-Surg Nurse Salary: Earnings on State Basis in 2024

Greetings and Welcome to this comprehensive Med-Surg Nurse Salary article!

In today’s article, we will delve deep into every aspect of Med-Surg Nurse salaries.

We guarantee that by the end of this well-crafted article, you will know the average Med-Surg Nurse Salary, factors affecting these Nurses’ salary, and which city pays Med-Surg Nurses the best.

In particular, we will focus our attention on the following main areas:

• What’s the average salary of Surgical Nurses
• Surgical Nurse Salary by state
• Cities with the highest Med-Surg Nurse Salary

Let’s jump right into it!

What is a Med-Surg Nurse?

Working as a Med-Surg Nurse is a challenging but rewarding career.

Not only do you provide specialized patient care and vital nursing services, but the pay is also great.

So what is the average salary of Med-Surg Nurses?

A Med-Surg Nurse’s Salary varies depending on the years of experience, degree of specialization, and the Nurse’s location.

If you’ve been thinking of joining the Med-Surg Nurse career, this article is for you.

Please continue reading to understand the different Med-Surg Nurse Salary estimates in other locations and settings.

What’s the average salary of a Surgical Nurse?

There is no fixed salary for a Med-Surg Registered Nurse, and the pay varies due to different conditions.

Here are the various Med-Surg Nurse Salary estimates according to different recruitment firms and government organizations.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

According to the BLS, the average Nurse salary in the USA for Nurses working in general medical and surgical hospitals is $85020 per annum ($40.88 per hour).

Here are additional statistics on Registered Nurses:

• 10th percentile – $59450 ($28.58)
• 50th percentile – $77600 ($37.31)
• 90th percentile – $120250 ($57.81)

ZipRecruiter

According to ZipRecruiter, a leading HR company, as of April 2022, Med-Surg Registered Nurses earn an average salary of $86567 per year ($42 per hour).

ZipRecruiter further concludes that:

• 25th percentile earns $71500
• 75th percentile earns $94500
• 90th percentile earns $114500

Salary.com

According to Salary.com, as of March 2022, the average Med-Surg RN salary is $100091 per year.

Further, Salary.com Med-Surg salary data indicates that:

• 10th percentile – $81864
• 25th percentile – $90550
• 75th percentile – $111501
• 90th percentile – $121890

Indeed.com

According to data from indeed.com, the average base salary for Med-Surg Nurses is $113009 per year as of April 2022.

Additionally, indeed.com reports that, on average, a Med-Surg RN will receive $11250 overtime pay per year plus other benefits.

Zippia

According to salary data from Zippia, an online career board, Medical-Surgical Nurse jobs pay an average of $82000 per year ($39.75 per hour) as of April 2022.

Additional Zippia, Medical-Surgical nursing salary data concludes that:

• 10th percentile earns $54000 ($26)
• 25th percentile earns $66000 ($32)
• 75th percentile earns $102000 ($49)
• 90th percentile earns $124000 ($60)

Glassdoor

According to Glassdoor.com, the average total pay for a Medical-Surgical Nurse is 106731 per year, with a base salary of $84854 and $22009 additional pay per annum.

Payscale.com

According to Payscale.com, the average Medical-Surgical Nurse salary in 2022 is $59313 per year ($32.25 per hour).

Further Payscale.com salary data reveals that:

• 10th percentile – $43000 p.a ($24.50 per hour)
• 25th to 75th percentile – $59000 p.a ($32.25 per hour)
• 90th percentile – $82000 p.a ($45.19 per hour)

The different Med-Surg Salary estimates between the various job boards and salary comparison sites are due to the data collection models and pool of interviewees.

Continue reading for the Surgical Nurse’s Salary breakdown in different states.

Med-Surg Nurse Salary by state

The certified Medical-Surg Nurse Salary of different states differs widely from the national average due to:

• Differences in cost of living
• Type of healthcare facility
• Employment type (full time or part-time)
• Institutional funding

Here are the Med-Surg Nurse Salary estimates in different states:

1. Alabama

Here are the salary estimates for a Med-Surg RN in Alabama:

Salary.com

• 50th percentile – $93785s p.a
• 10th percentile – $76706 p.a
• 90th percentile – $114211 p.a

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $74499 p.a ($35.82 per hour)

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $77810 p.a ($37.41 per hour)

2. Alaska

In Alaska, Med-Surg Nurses earn the following salaries:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $91769 p.a
• 25th percentile – $101507 p.a
• 50th percentile – $112202 p.a
• 90th percentile – $136639 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $67248 p.a ($32.33 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $80098 p.a ($38.51 per hour)

3. Arizona

These are the average Medical-Surgical Nurse salaries in Arizona:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $80936
• 50th percentile – $98957
• 90th percentile – $120509

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $78079 ($37.54)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $79076 ($38.02)

4. Arkansas

Here are the certified Medical-Surgical Nurse salary estimates in Arkansas:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $75500 p.a
• 50th percentile – $923107 p.a
• 75th percentile – $102833 p.a
• 90th percentile – $112414 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $78493 p.a ($37.74 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $70185 p.a ($33.74 per hour)

5. California

Check out the average Surgical Nurse Salary in California:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $91442
• 50th percentile – $111801
• 90th percentile – $136151

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $99954 p.a ($48.05 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $88890 p.a ($42.74 per hour)

6. Colorado

These are the Med-Surg Nurse Salary estimates in Colorado:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $81618
• 50th percentile – $99790
• 90th percentile – $121524

Zippia

• Average salary – $80613 ($38.76)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $74747 ($35.94)

7. Connecticut

Here is how Med-Surg Nurse jobs pay in Connecticut:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $88577 p.a
• 50th percentile – $108298 p.a
• 90th percentile – $131855 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $109674 p.a ($52.73 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $81829 p.a ($39.34 per hour)

8. Delaware

The average Surgical Nurse pay in Colorado is as follows:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $85957
• 50th percentile – $105095
• 90th percentile – $127985

Zippia

Median salary – $104509 p.a ($50.24 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

50th percentile – 74655 p.a ($35.89 per hour)

9. Florida

Check out the estimated Surgical Nurse Salary in Florida:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile’- $77771 per year
• 50th percentile – $95086 per year
• 90th percentile – $115796 per year

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $82359 p.a ($39.60 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $71897 p.a  ($34.57 per hour)

10. Georgia

These are the average Medical-Surgical Nurse salaries in Georgia:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $79203 p.a
• 50th percentile – $96838 p.a
• 90th percentile – $117929 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $84092 p.a ($40.43 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $76283 p.a ($36.67 per hour)

11. Hawaii

Here are the typical Med-Surg Nurse salaries in Hawaii:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $85891 p.a
• 50th percentile – $105015 p.a
• 90th percentile – $127887 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $97142 p.a ($46.70 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $84086 p.a ($40.43 per hour)

12. Idaho

Med-Surg Nurses in Idaho earn the following salaries:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $77265 p.a
• 50th percentile – $94468 p.a
• 90th percentile – $115042 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $73660 p.a (35.41 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $83591 p.a (40.19 per hour)

13. Iowa

On average Med-Surg Nurses earn the following salaries in Iowa:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $78344 per year
• 50th percentile – $95787 per year
• 90th percentile – $116649 per year

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $84003 per year ($40.39 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $74179 per year ($35.66 per hour)

14. Illinois

These are the average Med-Surg Nurse salaries in Illinois:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $84074 p.a
• 50th percentile – $102793 p.a
• 90th percentile – $125181 p.a

Zippia

• 50th percentile – $92835 p.a ($44.63 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• 50th percentile – $69803 p.a ($33.56 per hour)

15. Indiana

On average Medical-Surgical Nurses in Indiana receive these salaries:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $79981 p.a
• 50th percentile – $97789 p.a
• 90th percentile – $119087 p.a

Zippia

• Median wage – $80163 ($38.54)

ZipRecruiter

• Average salary – $78570 ($37.77

16. Iowa

These are the average salaries for Med-Surg Nurses in Iowa:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $78344 p.a
• 50th percentile – $95787 p.a
• 90th percentile – $116649 p.a

Zippia

• Median wage – $84003 p.a ($40.39 per year)

ZipRecruiter

• Median salary – $74179 p.a ($35.66 per year)

17. Kansas

The average salaries for Kansas Medical-Surgical Nurses are as follows:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $77689
• 50th percentile – $94986
• 90th percentile – $115674

Zippia

• Average wage – $81386 p.a ($39.13 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• Average salary – $74837 p.a ($35.98 per hour)

18. Kentucky

These are the Medical-Surgical Nurse Salary estimates in Kentucky:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $77034 p.a
• 50th percentile – $94185 p.a
• 90th percentile – $114699 p.a

Zippia

Average salary –  $83495 p.a ($40.14 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

Median wage – $71458 p.a ($34.35 per hour)

19. Louisiana

Check out the average salary range for Medical-Surgical Nurses in Louisiana:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $78425 p.a
• 50th percentile – $95887 p.a
• 90th percentile – $116771 p.a

Zippia

Average salary – $78572 p.a ($37.77 hourly)

ZipRecruiter

Average wage -$ 75375 p.a ($36.24 hourly)

20. Texas

Check out the average Surgical Nurse Salary in Texas:

Salary.com

• 10th percentile – $80388 p.a
• 50th percentile – $98286 p.a
• 90th percentile – $119692 p.a        

Zippia

• Average wage – $88115 per year($42.36 per hour)

ZipRecruiter

• Average salary –  $81014 per year ($38.95 per hour)

Cities with the highest Med-Surg Nurse Salaries

Your location is a critical salary determinant in the nursing career.

And while the average Med-Surg Salary is relatively high, some cities offer a much bigger payment package for your services.

These are the ten highest paying cities for Medical-Surgical Nurses in 2022 (Ziprecruiter):

1. Lakes, Arkansas – $102409

2. San Francisco, California – $101993

3. Santa Clara, California – $100811

4. Washington DC – $99450

5. Los Angeles, California – $98306

6. Fremont, California – $98151

7. Jersey City, New Jersey – $97023

8. Green River, Wyoming – $96530

9. San Buenaventura, California – $96526

10. San Jose, California – $96478

According to indeed.com, these are the highest paying Med-Surg Nurse cities in 2022:

1. New York – $130932

2. Seattle, Washington – $127254

3. Chicago, Illinois – $122340

4. Brooklyn, NewYork – $117881

5. Houston, Texas – $115004

6. Indianapolis – $111713

7. Cleveland, Ohio – $111602

8. Miami, Florida – $111367

9. Las Vegas, Nevada – $110698

Top paying Med-Surg Nursing Specialties

Pediatric Med-Surg Nurse

Pediatric Med-Surg Nurses are responsible for specialized nursing care of surgical patients before and after medical procedures.

On average Pediatric Med-Surg Nurses earn the following (Ziprecruiter):

• 25th percentile – $72500 p.a
• 50th percentile – $91053 p.a
• 75th percentile – $107500 p.a

Oncology Med-Surg RN

The Oncology Med-Surg RN is a highly-skilled healthcare professional responsible for providing patients with high-quality cancer services.

On average, Oncology Med-Surg RNs receive the following salaries(Ziprecruiter):

• 25th percentile – $47600 p.a
• 50th percentile – $94964 p.a
• 75th percentile – $107500 p.a

Telemetry Med-Surg Nurse

Telemetry Med-Surg RNs are specialized nursing professionals responsible for monitoring and maintaining patients’ health status using technical monitoring devices.

According to salary.com, Med-Surg Telemetry RNs earn;

• 25th percentile – $64078 p.a
• 50th percentile – $72168 p.a
• 75th percentile – $82241 p.a

ICU Medical-Surgical RN

An ICU Med-Surg Nurse is responsible for evaluating and monitoring a patient’s condition, including administering medication and providing bedside nursing care.

Here are a few ICU staff Nurse salary estimates:

Zippia.com

• $81247 p.a

Ziprecruiter.com

• 25th percentile – $79000 p.a
• 50th percentile – $101149 p.a
• 75th percentile – $115000 p.a

Salary.com

• 25th percentile – $70826 p.a
• 50th percentile – $78602 p.a
• 75th percentile – $85407 p.a

Perioperative Med-Surg Nurse

Perioperative/Scrub Nurses are responsible for preparing the operating room, providing support to surgeons, sterilizing, and arranging surgical equipment.

Check out the average Surgical Scrub Nurse’s salary:

Ziprecruiter

• 25th percentile – $44500 p.a
• 50th percentile – $71749 p.a
• 75th percentile – $85500 p.a

Zippia

• 25th percentile – $52000 p.a
• 50th percentile – $79175 p.a
• 75th percentile – $120000

If you’re looking for an area with the highest possible rates for a Scrub Nurse, then California should be at the top of your list.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average Scrub Nurse salary in California is $85274 per year.

Salary.com puts the Scrub Nurse’s salary at $111000, while nurseexpert.com puts the figure at $165908.

The $41-$80 hourly wage in California is relatively superior to the other Scrub Nurse salaries in other states.

Factors Affecting Med-Surg Nurse Salary

Several factors affect a Med-Surg Nurse’s salary, including the following:

Location

Medical-Surgical Nurses working in metropolitan and urban settings earn higher salaries than those in rural areas.

Also, Med-Surg Nurses working in densely populated areas generally earn higher than those in less densely populated areas.

The higher average salaries in urban areas are due to:

• High cost of living 
• High population with constant patient flow
• Specialized medical centers that provide hire Med-Surg Nurse salaries

Years of experience

Entry-level Medical-Surgical RNs typically receive much lower salaries than more experienced Med-Surg Nurses.

Clinical Nurse experience allows you to more comfortably and safely handle complex medical situations that would otherwise prove fatal.

According to zippia.com, a Med-Surg RNs with no experience earns $54000 per year while an experienced Medical-Surgical RN earns between $82000 and $124000 per annum.

Nursing degree level

The level of nursing training directly affects the average Med-Surg Nurse’s salary. 

Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor Of Nursing (DNP) Medical-Surgical Nurses typically earn more than bachelor’s or associate degrees Med-Surg Nurses.

According to salary.com, this is the Medical-Surgical Nurse salaries by degree level:

• Associate degree – $97041 – $102575
• Bachelor’s degree – $97474 – $103093
• MSN degree – $98,195 – $103,955
• DNP degree – $98,484 – $104,300

Nursing designation

The different Medical-Surgical Nurse designation commands different salaries.

For instance, a Med-Surg Nurse Practitioner (NP) will typically earn a higher salary than a Med-Surg Registered Nurse (RN).

Apart from the NCLEX RN designation, there are several other Med-Surg designations that you can pursue.

These are the national salary averages for the different Med-Surg nursing credentials:

• Med-Surg CNA – $36057 per annum
• Med-Surg LPN – $55575 per annum
• Med-Surg RN – $86567 per annum
• Med-Surg NP – $102222 per annum

Flexibility

Medical-Surgical Nurses with the ability to work different hour shifts, locations, and settings typically earn higher salaries than more rigid Nurses.

Travel nursing jobs often pay two or three times more than a regular nursing job due to the challenges and sacrifices you’ll need to make.

Conclusion

The Medical-Surgical nursing field is an excellent career path for people interested in the nursing profession.

And while the Med-Surg training and certification process is challenging, the benefits of working as a Medical-Surgical professional are great.

You can earn a decent income and leave a pretty decent living as a Med-Surg Nurse.

We hope this article has opened your eyes to the limitless earning possibilities of the Med-Surg RN profession through professional certifications and choosing the correct location.

Kindly continue reading for answers to our reader’s frequently asked questions.

FAQs

References

Bls.gov

Salary.com

Indeed.com

Payscale.com

Chron