How Much Do Flight Nurses Make?
Flight nursing salaries depend on several factors, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. According to a comparison between the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) RN salaries and ZipRecruiter flight nurse salaries, flight nurses may earn more than other registered nurses (RNs) in other specialties. This guide will walk any prospective flight nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Flight Nurse Salaries
According to the BLS, flight nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$96,830
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, a flight nurse working for a Boston medical evacuation organization may make more per year than a flight nurse transporting non-emergent military patients.
How Much Do Flight Nurses Make?
Flight nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Hourly pay for flight nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Flight nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Flight nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some flight nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a flight nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $63,720 to an above average $132,680 according to BLS data.
Source: BLS
How Specialty Certification Affects Flight Nurse Salaries
A flight nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect that value. Aspiring flight nurses can apply to test for certification in this specialty, and some positions require certification for employment.
Typical flight nurse certifications include:
Location and Flight Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for flight nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Flight Nurse Salaries by State
Northeastern states pay flight nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southwest states pay the least. However, keep in mind that these are averages, and an urban area in any state may offer higher pay than a rural area in any other state.
| State | Average Salary |
| 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 Flight Nurse Salaries by City
Similar to other occupations around the country, flight nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than they are in a small rural town in a Southeastern state.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual 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 Flight Nurse Salaries
Workplace types don’t factor in too much when it comes to flight nursing; however, the private sector can typically pay more than military positions. Flight nurses can also increase their earnings by becoming Chief Flight Nurses, a role that ZipRecruiter reports can offer an average of $135,579.
How Fast Can a Flight Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A flight nurse’s salary grows based on professional development and experience. Flight nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Flight Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking certain steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified flight nurse and a prospective employer will likely choose a flight nurse with certification over another without.
2. Pursue Leadership Roles
Flight nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles, like Chief Flight Nurse, can earn higher compensation.
3. Change Your Location
Large metropolitan areas pay flight nurses the best, so any flight nurse working outside that setting can try working in a new area to boost their salary. Keep in mind, though, that metropolitan areas generally have a higher cost of living.
Flight Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for flight nurses?
According to ZipRecruiter data, the highest-paid flight nurses are Chief Flight Nurses, who make an average of $135,579 a year, or $65.18 per hour.
2. What do flight nurses make per hour?
Flight 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 flight 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. Are flight nurses in high demand?
All nurses are in high demand, and flight nursing is no exception. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise, and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032.
5. Is it hard to become a flight nurse?
Becoming a flight nurse may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree, followed by two to three years of bedside experience before a candidate may be eligible for a flight nurse position.
