How Much Do Rehabilitation Nurses Make? | NursingEducation (2024)

How Much Do Rehabilitation Nurses Make? | NursingEducation (1)

Abby McCoy, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

Several factors can influence rehabilitation nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Rehabilitation nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective rehabilitation nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.

Just the Highlights: Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries

Rehabilitation nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:

How Much Do Rehabilitation Nurses Make?

In the U.S., rehabilitation nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts rehabilitation nurse salaries well above average.

Rehabilitation nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.

Rehabilitation nurse average annual salary

$94,480

Rehabilitation nurse average hourly wage

$45.42

Some rehabilitation nurses work 12-hour shifts, and during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening, night, or weekend come with an hourly pay increase. Hospitals may also offer extra shifts with bonuses attached.

According to the BLS, rehabilitation nurses can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $132,680.


Source: BLS

How Education Affects Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries

All rehabilitation nurses must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.

When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, rehabilitation nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.

After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, rehabilitation nurses may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Rehabilitation nurses can choose to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years to complete. Others graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes longer but may offer higher salaries.

DegreeAnnual Average Salary
ADN$75,000
BSN$92,000
MSN$124,680
DNP$225,000

Source: Nursing World

How Specialty Certification Affects Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries

Rehabilitation nurses can earn specialty certifications through the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, which offers the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) designation. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.

Location and Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries

As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.

Top-Paying Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries by State

In general, the coasts offer rehabilitation nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.

California$137,690
Hawaii$119,710
Oregon$113,440
Washington$111,030
Alaska$109,210
Massachusetts$108,850
New York$106,620
Washington, D.C.$102,686
New Jersey$101,960
Connecticut$101,840
Nevada$97,700
Rhode Island$95,070
Minnesota$94,830
Delaware$94,670
New Mexico$92,140
Maryland$92,090
Colorado$91,730
Arizona$91,430
Texas$90,210
Georgia$90,000
New Hampshire$89,410
Vermont$88,380
Virginia$88,350
Illinois$87,650
Pennsylvania$87,530
Wisconsin$87,220
Michigan$86,210
Florida$84,760
Ohio$84,430
Maine$84,340
Wyoming$83,990
Utah$83,100
Idaho$83,090
Montana$82,950
Indiana$82,700
North Carolina$82,530
Oklahoma$82,110
Kentucky$81,770
South Carolina$81,390
Louisiana$80,760
Nebraska$79,780
North Dakota$79,190
Tennessee$78,240
Missouri$77,590
Kansas$76,240
West Virginia$75,990
Mississippi$75,510
Iowa$74,610
Arkansas$72,900
Alabama$71,370
South Dakota$69,030

Source: BLS

Top-Paying Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries by City

The cost of living differs by state and population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if rehabilitation nurses work for a large rehabilitation center in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work in a small facility in a rural area.

Metropolitan areaHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA$83.83$174,370
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA$82.51$171,620
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$82.11$170,780
Napa, CA$79.89$166,180
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA$74.28$154,510
Santa Rosa, CA$73.52$152,930
Modesto, CA$69.80$145,190
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$67.73$140,880
San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA$67.58$140,560
Stockton-Lodi, CA$66.55$138,420

Source: BLS

Workplace Type and Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries

Rehabilitation nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many rehabilitation nurses, outpatient care centers and hospital positions pay the highest.

IndustryHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Outpatient Care Centers$49.35$102,640
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals$46.55$96,830
Home Health Care Services$42.03$87,430
Offices of Physicians$39.96$83,110

Source: BLS

How Fast Can a Rehabilitation Nurse’s Salary Grow?

A rehabilitation nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.

Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.

How to Increase Your Earnings as a Rehabilitation Nurse

Rehabilitation nurses can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.

1. Earn a Higher Degree

For rehabilitation nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.

2. Try a New Location

Compensation for rehabilitation nurses often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.

3. Earn Certification

By earning a specialty certification, rehabilitation nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.

4. Transfer to a New Work Setting

If a current work setting cannot increase a rehabilitation nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.

Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries FAQs

1. What role offers the highest pay for rehabilitation nurses?

The highest-paid rehabilitation nurses are those working in Outpatient Care Centers, who make an average of $102,640 a year, or $49.35 per hour.

2. What do rehabilitation nurses make per hour?

Rehabilitation nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.

3. Which state and city pay rehabilitation nurses the best?

According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).

4. How can rehabilitation nurses get paid more?

Rehabilitation nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.

5. Which degree gives rehabilitation nurses the highest pay?

To become a rehabilitation nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers rehabilitation nurses the highest pay. However, the highest-paying degree in most nursing fields is the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.

How Much Do Rehabilitation Nurses Make? | NursingEducation (2024)

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