Pediatric nurses earn within the registered nurse salary band – the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national RN median of $97,550 per year ($46.90/hr) and a mean of $101,420 for SOC 29-1141 (May 2025 OEWS data). General inpatient pediatric floor nurses typically land at or slightly above the national RN median, with hospital differentials, specialty certification, and geographic market driving the most meaningful variation. Travel pediatric nurses can reach $2,000–$3,000 per week, reflecting the premium children’s hospitals are willing to pay to secure experienced pediatric travelers.
The BLS does not publish a separate occupational code for pediatric nurses. Like all specialty RNs, they are classified under SOC 29-1141 (Registered Nurses). The state and national figures in this guide are drawn from BLS May 2025 OEWS data and supplemented by specialty salary aggregators including Vivian Health, Glassdoor, and Salary.com, where pediatric-specific data is available. Treat specialty estimates as directional ranges rather than precise salary guarantees.
Note on scope: This guide covers general inpatient pediatric nursing (peds med-surg, pediatric acute care units). PICU nurses, NICU nurses, and pediatric ED nurses work in distinct settings with their own salary structures – see the relevant specialty guides for those roles. For the full career pathway into pediatric nursing, see the how to become a pediatric nurse guide.
At a glance
| Data point | Figure |
|---|---|
| National RN median (BLS May 2025, SOC 29-1141) | $97,550/year ($46.90/hr) |
| National RN 10th percentile | $68,940/year |
| National RN 90th percentile | $137,470/year |
| Pediatric floor RN estimate, national | $92,000–$105,000 |
| Travel pediatric RN weekly package | $2,000–$3,000/week |
| Highest-paying states (top 3) | California, Hawaii, Oregon |
| CPN or PED-BC certification premium | $2,000–$5,000/year above base |
National salary baseline
The BLS reports two figures for all registered nurses under SOC 29-1141 that are frequently cited:
- Median annual wage: $97,550 – the true midpoint; half of all RNs earn above, half below
- Mean annual wage: $101,420 – pulled upward by high earners, particularly in California
For planning purposes, the median is the more grounded number. General inpatient pediatric nurses working full-time hospital shifts typically fall near or slightly above the national RN median. The reasons: hospital-based pediatric units tend to be at acute care facilities with benefit-rich compensation structures, and night and weekend differentials – which floor nurses routinely collect – layer on top of the base rate.
Specialty salary aggregators provide additional data points. Specialty aggregators such as Salary.com and Vivian Health place inpatient pediatric RN pay broadly in line with the national RN median rather than meaningfully above it. Treat aggregator figures as directional: they are self-reported and are not a substitute for the BLS series. These figures track closely with the BLS state data and suggest pediatric floor nurses are broadly at the national RN median or marginally above it in hospital-based settings.
Pediatric nurse salary by state
The following table uses BLS May 2025 OEWS annual median wages for all registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) as the reference benchmark. BLS does not publish state-level wage data for pediatric nurses separately. Pediatric floor RNs in each state typically earn at or slightly above the state RN median, depending on their facility type, shift mix, and experience. Children’s hospitals and Magnet-designated facilities generally pay at the upper end of each state range.
| State | Annual median wage (all RNs) | Hourly median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Alaska | $109,480 | $52.63 |
| Arizona | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| California | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Colorado | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 | $49.39 |
| Delaware | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| District of Columbia | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Florida | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Georgia | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 | $65.54 |
| Idaho | $92,460 | $44.45 |
| Illinois | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Indiana | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Iowa | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Kansas | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| Kentucky | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Louisiana | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Maine | $86,990 | $41.82 |
| Maryland | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Michigan | $94,300 | $45.34 |
| Minnesota | $101,510 | $48.80 |
| Mississippi | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Missouri | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Montana | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Nebraska | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Nevada | $103,670 | $49.84 |
| New Hampshire | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| New Mexico | $94,340 | $45.36 |
| New York | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| North Carolina | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| North Dakota | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| Ohio | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Oklahoma | $82,920 | $39.87 |
| Oregon | $129,010 | $62.02 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Rhode Island | $100,640 | $48.38 |
| South Carolina | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| South Dakota | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Tennessee | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Texas | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Utah | $84,600 | $40.67 |
| Vermont | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| Virginia | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Washington | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| West Virginia | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Wisconsin | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Wyoming | $83,760 | $40.27 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 29-1141 (all registered nurses), released May 2026. Figures are state medians; hourly rates are derived at 2,080 hours. Pediatric nurses are not reported as a separate BLS category. Pediatric specialists at children’s hospitals and Magnet-designated facilities typically earn at or above the state median.
For a full comparison of RN salaries across all states, see the RN salary guide.
Pediatric nurse salary by setting
General inpatient pediatric nursing covers several distinct unit types – and the setting matters for pay. PICU nurses and NICU nurses are not the same role as a pediatric floor nurse, and their compensation reflects the higher acuity and different skill demands.
| Setting | Estimated annual salary | Pay drivers |
|---|---|---|
| General pediatric med-surg / acute care (this guide) | $92,000–$105,000 | Hospital base rate + night/weekend differentials; standard hospital benefit package |
| Pediatric step-down unit | $96,000–$113,000 | Higher acuity than floor; step-down differential at many facilities |
| PICU (pediatric intensive care) | $99,000–$120,000 | Critical care acuity differential (typically 5–15% above floor rate); 1:1–1:2 ratios; higher skill requirements |
| NICU (neonatal intensive care) | $96,000–$117,000 | Neonatal critical care differential; NRP and specialty competency requirements |
| Pediatric ED | $94,000–$115,000 | Emergency acuity pay; night and weekend differentials in 24/7 ED settings |
| Pediatric outpatient clinic | $74,000–$89,000 | Daytime only; no shift differentials; lower acute care demand |
| School nursing (pediatric population) | $58,000–$79,000 | Follows school district pay scales; no differentials; academic calendar |
PICU nurses typically earn 5–15% more than general pediatric floor nurses at the same institution. The premium reflects critical care acuity, lower nurse-to-patient ratios (1:1 or 1:2 vs 1:3–1:5 on the floor), and the additional competencies required – ventilator management, vasoactive drip titration, invasive hemodynamic monitoring. If you are interested in the PICU pathway, see the PICU nurse guide.
The largest pay gap is between hospital-based pediatric nursing and outpatient pediatric clinic nursing. Outpatient clinic nurses trade shift differentials and hospital pay structures for predictable daytime hours and lower clinical intensity.
How experience affects pay
Pediatric nursing salaries follow the same experience-driven progression as other hospital-based specialties. The increments come from two sources: employer step increases (most hospital nursing contracts include automatic annual step increases tied to longevity) and the negotiating leverage that comes with a specialty credential and a track record.
| Career stage | Years of experience | Estimated annual salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New graduate / entry | 0–2 years | $69,000–$84,000 | Residency or orientation period; base-only pay; building foundational pediatric skills |
| Early career | 2–4 years | $82,000–$97,000 | CPN eligibility begins at 1,800 hours; night differential compounds; negotiating leverage increases |
| Mid-career, CPN certified | 4–8 years | $92,000–$110,000 | Certification differential applied; clinical ladder advancement at Magnet facilities; charge experience |
| Experienced staff RN | 8–15 years | $99,000–$120,000 | Top of most pay scales; resource nurse or preceptor differential; travel nursing option most lucrative here |
| Charge nurse / clinical lead | 5+ years | $104,000–$125,000 | Charge differential of $2–$4/hr; CPN or PED-BC typically required or expected |
The most significant jump comes at the 2–4 year mark, where CPN eligibility, first clinical ladder advancement, and accumulated specialty experience combine to create real negotiating leverage at offer time or at annual review. Pediatric nurses who hit CPN certification in years two or three consistently outperform their uncertified peers by the time they reach the five-year mark.
How CPN or PED-BC certification affects salary
Specialty certification is one of the more reliable salary levers available to inpatient pediatric nurses. Two credentials cover general pediatric practice. The CPN (Certified Pediatric Nurse) comes from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and requires either 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience in the past 24 months, or five years as a pediatric RN with 3,000 hours in the last five years including 1,000 in the past 24. The PED-BC (Pediatric Nursing, Board Certified) comes from the ANCC and requires two years of full-time RN practice, 2,000 hours of pediatric clinical practice within the last three years, and 30 hours of pediatric continuing education.
The premium typically works through three mechanisms:
Hourly differential: Many hospitals pay $1–$3/hr above base rate for specialty-certified nurses, applied to all hours worked. At full-time hours (2,080 per year), that adds $2,080–$6,240 annually before night differential layering.
Annual lump-sum bonus: Some facilities pay $2,000–$4,000 per year on a certification cycle – particularly hospitals with formal recognition programs or Magnet-aligned clinical ladder structures.
Clinical ladder advancement: At Magnet hospitals, advancing from RN II to RN III or RN IV typically requires specialty certification. Each ladder step carries a base pay increase. Over a career, the access effect of certification on earnings substantially exceeds the direct differential.
No certifying body publishes a measured national pay gap between CPN-certified and non-certified pediatric nurses, so treat any specific percentage you encounter as an estimate rather than a finding. What is documented is the mechanism above: where an employer pays a differential, the direct effect is typically in the low thousands per year, and the larger effect over a career comes from clinical ladder access. For scale, BCEN publishes an average of about $1,397 per year for its emergency credential – a useful reality check against the double-digit percentage premiums often quoted.
The CPN exam fee is $309 self-pay for 2026, including a $103 nonrefundable registration fee, with a $45 discount for Society of Pediatric Nurses members. The ANCC PED-BC exam is $395 for non-members. Either has a payback period measured in months where a differential exists. Check your employer’s clinical ladder and certification reimbursement policy – most large hospital systems cover the exam cost.
For full CPN and PED-BC eligibility requirements, see the how to become a pediatric nurse guide.
Travel pediatric nurse pay
Travel pediatric nursing commands a premium because children’s hospitals compete heavily for experienced travelers. Pediatric-specific skills – weight-based dosing, age-appropriate assessment, family-centered care, IV access in small veins, PALS certification – are not interchangeable with adult nursing experience. A hospital short-staffed on a pediatric floor cannot simply pull an adult med-surg traveler to fill the gap.
Current market data (Vivian Health, 2025–2026) for travel pediatric nurses:
- Weekly package range: $2,000–$3,000/week (taxable base + tax-free housing and meal stipends)
- High-demand markets (California, Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, New England): $2,500–$3,000+/week
- Standard markets: $2,000–$2,500/week
- Crisis or urgent fill contracts: $3,000–$3,500+/week at acute shortage facilities
At $2,200–$2,500/week across a full year of contracts, annualized travel pediatric nursing income runs $114,000–$130,000 – above staff rates in most markets, though the gap against a high-paying state has narrowed as staff wages rose. Travel nurses typically work fewer than 52 weeks, so realistic blended annual income is $95,000–$125,000 for nurses managing their contracts efficiently.
Most staffing agencies require 1–2 years of inpatient pediatric experience for travel placement. PALS certification is widely required; CPN is not universal but strengthens placement speed and access to Magnet-level facilities. Vivian Health, AMN Healthcare, Aya Healthcare, and Trusted Health all actively list pediatric travel positions.
The non-taxable stipend structure is a meaningful part of total compensation. Travel nurses who maintain a qualifying tax home receive housing and meal stipends tax-free – the effective after-tax income from a $2,500/week travel package exceeds what a $60/hr staff rate would yield on a gross basis. See the travel nurse salary guide for the full compensation structure.
Highest-paying states for pediatric nurses
California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Massachusetts consistently top BLS state RN wage tables – and the same geographic premium applies to pediatric nursing.
California: The highest state RN median annual wage in the country at $140,270, driven by mandatory nurse-to-patient ratio laws (1:4 on pediatric acute care), strong union presence (California Nurses Association represents nurses at many major systems), favorable daily overtime laws (overtime kicks in after 8 hours), and very high cost of living. Major freestanding children’s hospitals – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCSF Benioff, Lucile Packard at Stanford, Rady Children’s in San Diego – all pay at the high end of the state scale. Experienced pediatric RNs in California can reach $140,000–$170,000 with shift differentials; the state’s 75th percentile for all RNs is $173,170.
Oregon and Washington: Strong union environments and Pacific Coast labor markets push RN wages well above the national median, placing Oregon third and Washington fourth nationally. Oregon’s median of $129,010 and Washington’s $124,200 reflect the presence of major pediatric programs (Seattle Children’s, Doernbecher at OHSU) that pay at premium rates.
Hawaii: High nominal wages ($136,320 state RN median, second only to California) are partially offset by cost of living, but Honolulu-based pediatric nursing at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children pays competitively. Nurses focused on purchasing power should compare cost-adjusted figures against the Pacific Northwest.
Massachusetts: Boston is home to several of the top-ranked pediatric programs nationally – Boston Children’s Hospital is consistently rated among the top pediatric hospitals in the country. The Boston labor market supports strong nursing wages, and with a state RN median of $104,550, and CPN-certified pediatric nurses at Magnet facilities in Boston regularly exceed $115,000.
The lowest-paying states for pediatric nursing follow the same geography as overall low RN wages: Alabama ($77,080 state median), Mississippi ($77,090), South Dakota ($78,060), Iowa ($78,630). The gap between California and Alabama pediatric nursing wages exceeds $63,000 annually – not narrowed by cost of living adjustments alone.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pediatric nurses make?
Pediatric nurses working in hospital inpatient settings earn approximately $92,000–$105,000 nationally, based on BLS May 2025 data and specialty salary aggregator estimates. The BLS national RN median is $97,550 (SOC 29-1141, May 2025); pediatric floor nurses at hospital facilities typically earn near or slightly above that median when night and weekend differentials are included. Pay varies substantially by state – from around $77,000 in the lowest-wage Southern states to over $140,000 in California.
Do pediatric nurses make more than regular nurses?
General pediatric floor nurses earn close to the overall RN median – not significantly more or less than nurses in comparable hospital-based roles like med-surg or step-down. The comparison depends on the specialty being referenced: pediatric nurses earn less than ICU nurses and OR nurses in most markets (those roles carry critical care or procedural skill premiums), and more than outpatient clinic or school nurses. The compensation difference between pediatric floor nursing and adult med-surg nursing at the same institution is typically small, with differentials and certification driving larger variation than the specialty designation itself.
What is the starting salary for a pediatric nurse?
New graduate pediatric nurses entering hospital floor positions typically start at $69,000–$84,000 annually, depending on state and employer. Entry-level pay in California begins higher – some children’s hospitals in California start new graduate RNs at $95,000–$107,000 before shift differentials. New graduates entering pediatric residency programs are compensated at the starting nurse rate for the hiring institution throughout the residency year.
Do PICU nurses make more than floor peds nurses?
Yes, in most hospital systems. PICU nurses typically earn 5–15% more than general pediatric floor nurses at the same facility. The premium reflects higher patient acuity, more complex skill requirements (ventilator management, vasoactive drips, invasive hemodynamic monitoring), and lower nurse-to-patient ratios (1:1–1:2 in PICU vs 1:3–1:5 on the floor). At a facility where a peds floor nurse earns $99,000, a PICU nurse in the same system might earn $104,000–$114,000. For full PICU nurse salary and career information, see the PICU nurse guide.
How does CPN certification affect salary?
CPN or PED-BC certification adds approximately $2,000–$5,000 per year to base compensation at most hospital systems, through a combination of hourly certification differentials ($1–$3/hr), annual lump-sum bonuses, and access to higher clinical ladder steps. Some facilities pay the differential at the higher end of that range – a $2.50/hr differential applied to full-time hospital hours yields $5,200/year. Certification also strengthens negotiating position at hire and opens access to charge nurse and clinical lead roles that carry their own pay premiums.
What do travel pediatric nurses make?
Travel pediatric nurses earn $2,000–$3,000 per week in current market conditions (Vivian Health, 2025–2026 data), with high-demand markets like California, Washington, and Massachusetts reaching the top of that range. Weekly packages include a taxable base wage plus tax-free housing and meal stipends for travelers who maintain a qualifying tax home. Annualized across a full year of contracts, travel pediatric nursing income typically falls in the $95,000–$130,000 range. Crisis contracts at short-staffed facilities can exceed $3,500/week. Most agencies require 1–2 years of inpatient pediatric experience for placement.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses (29-1141),” BLS OEWS, May 2025 (released May 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Registered Nurses (29-1141),” BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses – Pay and Job Outlook,” BLS, 2025.
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, “Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): Eligibility, Certification Steps and Exam Fees,” PNCB, 2026.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, “Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC): Eligibility Criteria and Fees,” ANCC/ANA, 2025.
- Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, “The Value of Board Certification in Emergency Nursing,” BCEN, 2025.
- ONET OnLine, “Registered Nurses (29-1141.00): National and State Wage Percentiles,” National Center for ONET Development, 2026.
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, “CCRN (Pediatric) – Direct Care Eligibility Pathway,” AACN, 2025.