Discover how much does a pediatric nurse make, salary ranges by state, experience level, and tips to boost your pediatric RN income.
So you’re considering becoming a pediatric nurse, or perhaps you’re already a nurse looking to see whether or not working with children pays the bills. Either situation, I understand. Recently, I found myself standing in the exact same position, Google-obsessed about questions like “how much does a pediatric nurse make?” at 1 a.m. with a cup of coffee in hand and doubt clutching the other.
A good question. I mean, nursing is the most emotionally challenging career to have, but pediatric nursing is a whole different story. With calming frazzled toddlers, soothing anxious parents, and maintaining your composure, no walk in the park that either.
Let’s discuss money, and not just rough estimates. I’m going to show you the real pediatric nurse salary information, how the amount of money you earn is impacted, and even give you a little of my personal experience so you can get a sense of what it actually is like.
And if you’re interested in how healthcare systems manage resources efficiently, especially through consignment inventory in hospitals, that’s a whole other fascinating topic worth exploring.
Article Breakdown
Quick Answer: What is the Salary of a Pediatric Nurse?
Let’s get to the point before going further.
As of 2025, the United States has the average annual pediatric registered nurse salary at around $75,000, based on various sources for tracking salaries. That is just the average, however, depending on where you are based, how many years experience you have, and the setting where you work, you may earn anywhere from $55,000 on up to more than $100,000 per year.
Here is a snapshot:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $55,000 – $68,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 years) | $70,000 – $85,000 |
| Experienced (8+ years) | $90,000 – $105,000+ |
So, to answer the question of how much pediatric nurses earn in real terms, this should give you a good starting point.
Why I Chose Pediaric Nursing (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Because of the Pay)
When I first entered nursing school, I never envisioned holding a squirmy 3-year-old who just had their tonsils removed. I envisioned going into ER or trauma care, high-energy, dramatic, like Grey’s Anatomy. Then along came peds rotation.
It affected me strongly.
There was this little, sparkling-eyed girl, Mia, who’d had more operations on me than I’d had birthdays. And she still, she smiled. She laughed. She treated her IV pole like a toy. That was the moment I knew that: I wanted to work with children. And yeah, I wanted to know whether it would pay the bills too. I’d long since done some research on every aspect of the pediatric rn salary, and let’s just say, it did not scare me away.
What Influences Salaries for Pediatric Nurses?
If you are like me, you are interested to learn about the determinants of whether you are earning $60K or six figures. Let’s break the key determinants:
- Location, Location, Location
It is not just a real estate matter. Where you are located has a significant influence on pediatric nurse pay.
For instance:
- California: A leader among the top-earning pediatric nurses, with $95,000–$115,000 average salaries. But also: the cost of living is bananas.
- Texas: Provides good compensation in the $70,000–$85,000 range, accompanied by a low living cost, one of the primary motives for relocating here.
- New York: High-paying ($80,000–$100,000+), but housing may consume a significant portion of
Here’s a snapshot of average salaries in 5 key states:
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $110,000 |
| New York | $95,000 |
| Texas | $80,000 |
| Florida | $73,000 |
| Ohio | $68,000 |
Tip: Check the cost of living AND the pay. A high-paying job in San Francisco could have you broke after rent, even if the pediatric registered nurse wage is good on paper.
- Working Environment
All pediatric nursing positions are not the same.
Here is how this typically breaks down:
| Workplace | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Children’s Hospital | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| General Hospital Pediatric Unit | $70,000 – $85,000 |
| Outpatient Clinic | $65,000 – $75,000 |
| School Nurse (Pediatric) | $55,000 – $70,000 |
| Home Health / Private Duty | $60,000 – $80,000 |
Personally, I began in a large city children’s hospital, and yep, it was intense. Long shifts, emotionally demanding days, but the experience was unparalleled. And the pediatric rn salary was good enough to pay off student loan debt within a few short years.
- Experience and Certifications
Much like fine wine and cheese, you only improve (and are more precious) with age.
- New Graduate Pediatric Nurses: Starting at $55,000–$68,000. I earned $63K in the first year, and that was like a fortune compared to college ramen days.
- Within 3–5 years: You can jump to the $70K–$85K level
- Specialized certifications (such as CPN – Certified Pediatric Nurse): Can increase your income up to $5,000-$10,000 a year.
So when you’re wondering, how much does a pediatric nurse earn in relation to a general RN, the response is: with experience and the appropriate certifications, considerably more.
Need to Earn More? Here’s How to Level Up
Get Certified
Having a CPN certification communicates to potential employers that you are serious about the job, and in numerous instances, they’ll give you a raise.
Other helpful credentials:
- Advanced Life Support for Pediatrics
- Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse
Think about Higher Positions
If you are willing to go to school (or are already looking ahead), think about becoming
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): Average salary is $110,000–$130,000+
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Pediatrics: Around $95,000–$115,000
And so if you’re still trying to figure out how much a pediatric nurse earns, and you have big dreams, this could be the pathway to a serious income jump.
Negotiate, Baby
There are so many nurses I know that don’t negotiate their offers, especially women, to be honest. I almost didn’t either. But when I received the second offer for a job, I nicely asked them to match a competitor’s compensation, and they agreed.
Even requesting a $2–$5 per hour raise can amount to thousands per year. Pay raises sum up over time. That is why you should keep an eye on the average pediatric nurse wage where you live.
A Day in the Life: Is Pednursing Worth It?
By Debra J. Hersh,
Let’s be honest. You’re not here for just the numbers. You’re looking to see whether the pay is justified.
Here is how a common shift may appear:
- Morning routine: Taking vitals, administering medication, charting
- Midday: Providing support for procedures, consoling crying toddlers, supporting brand-new parents who have not slept for days
- Afternoon: More medication, coordinating with the doctors, holding hands (both yours and theirs)
It is hard. But to receive a high-five from a frightened little patient for getting a shot, or to have a parent embrace you upon the release of their kid, man, that makes everything worthwhile.
And when you’re wondering how much a pediatric nurse earns for that emotional labor, the news is, enough to create a comfortable life while making meaningful contributions.
Real-Life Examples: What Pediatric Nurses Are Saying
Let us listen to a few others:
“I began in outpatient pediatrics at $62K. After 4 years and earning my CPN, I’m at $78K. The emotional rewards are truly greater than the check, but the raise helped purchase my first home!” – Melissa R., RN in Arizona
As a PICU nurse in New Jersey, I make around $95K. It is intense, but I enjoy the challenge. – David L., PICU Nurse
You might wonder how much does a pediatric nurse actually earn in real-life circumstances, and this is the type of first-hand information that helps to create a fuller picture.
Key Takings:
If you’re wondering how much does a pediatric nurse make a year, here’s the TL;DR:
- Average pediatric nurse salary: $75,000
- Top earners: $100,000+
- Tons of variables: location, experience, certifications, workplace
But here’s the thing that’s harder to quantify: the heart you’ll need and the heart you’ll grow.
If you’re in it just for the money, there are easier routes. But if you’ve got that spark for helping little humans, and don’t mind a few tears (theirs and yours), pediatric nursing can be one of the most rewarding career paths out there.
Additional Resources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): A trusted government resource offering detailed salary data for registered nurses, including those in pediatrics. It provides national averages, trends, and future employment outlooks.
- Nurse.org – Pediatric Nurse Salary Guide: A comprehensive guide that includes salary information for pediatric nurses based on surveys and real-world reports. It covers data by experience level, location, and more.
- PayScale – Pediatric Nurse Salary: PayScale offers customizable salary reports for pediatric nurses, allowing you to filter by factors like experience, location, and other variables.
