Salary for Pediatric Nurse in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience, Location, Skills & Take-Home
Quick Facts (2025)
Curious about the salary for Pediatric Nurse in the USA in 2025? Here are the latest numbers, organized by industry, job role, and experience level.
- National Average Salary (USA): $91,500/year
- Typical Range: $74,000 – $136,000
- Entry-Level Starting Pay: $68,000
- Top Earners (90th Percentile): $155,000+
- Bonus & Incentives: 3–8% of base pay
- Hot Locations: California, Washington, Massachusetts
What Does Pediatric Nurse Do?
Pediatric nurses care for babies, kids, and teens from birth to 18 years old. They work closely with families. They give shots, check vital signs, and help with treatments. They also teach parents about their child's health needs. These nurses work in hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, and special children's units.
Pediatric nursing offers many career paths. Nurses can work in emergency rooms, surgery centers, cancer units, or regular hospital floors. Some become nurse practitioners who can diagnose and treat patients. Others focus on teaching families or working in schools.
For related pages, see: registered nurse, nurse practitioner, etc.
Salary for Pediatric Nurse by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Average Annual Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $68,000 – $78,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 yrs) | $82,000 – $98,000 |
| Senior (8–15 yrs) | $105,000 – $125,000 |
| Expert (15+ yrs) | $130,000 – $155,000 |
Insight: Pediatric nurses who earn specialty certifications or become charge nurses can see salary increases of 12–20% beyond base averages.
Pediatric Nurse Salary by Location (USA)
| State | Average Pay | Difference vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | +35% |
| Washington | $118,500 | +30% |
| Massachusetts | $108,000 | +18% |
| Texas | $89,000 | - 3% |
| Florida | $84,500 | - 8% |
Tip: While California offers the highest pay, Washington often balances strong salaries with more affordable living costs than California.
Pediatric Nurse Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $98,000 |
| Petroleum / Energy | $92,500 |
| Automotive | $87,000 |
| Manufacturing | $102,000 |
| Robotics / AI | $78,000 |
Observation: Children's hospitals and specialty surgery centers pay premium wages, while school nursing offers better work-life balance despite lower pay.
Skills & Certifications That Boost Pay
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): +8–12%
- Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): +12–18%
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Experience: +15–25%
- Pediatric Emergency Assessment: +10–16%
- IV Therapy & Medication Administration: +8–14%
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salaries
- San Francisco, CA: $124,000 salary ≈ $86,000 after COL adjustment
- Austin, TX: $89,000 salary ≈ $85,000 after COL adjustment
- Seattle, WA: $118,500 salary ≈ $99,000 after COL adjustment
Takeaway: Consider living costs carefully; $95K in Texas may provide a better lifestyle than $125K in California due to housing and tax differences.
Take-Home Pay Example
- Gross Salary: $91,500
- Federal Tax (example): - $16,500
- State Tax (example): - $5,500
- Other Deductions: - $7,200
- Net Pay (Annual): $62,300 ($5,190/month)
Pediatric Nurse Career Path & Salary Growth
- Staff Nurse → 2–3 years → Charge Nurse
- Charge Nurse → 4–6 years → Unit Supervisor
- Unit Supervisor → 7–10 years → Nurse Manager / Clinical Specialist
- Nurse Manager → 10+ years → Director of Nursing / Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
At each step, salaries typically rise 12–25% alongside increased responsibility and specialized knowledge.
How to Increase Your Pediatric Nurse Salary
- Earn Specialty Certifications → CPN or PALS opens higher-paying roles
- Gain NICU or PICU Experience → intensive care units pay premium wages
- Pursue Advanced Degrees → BSN to MSN can boost pay 20–35%
- Master Technology Skills → electronic health records and pediatric equipment expertise
- Negotiate With Market Data → use current salary surveys during reviews
FAQs
What is the average salary for a Pediatric Nurse in 2025?
Around $91,500 per year in the USA, according to multiple salary surveys.
Does this include bonuses?
No, most pediatric nurses receive 3–8% in additional compensation through bonuses, shift differentials, and overtime pay.
What’s the highest-paying state?
California leads with averages over $124,000, followed closely by Washington and Massachusetts.
Do entry-level pediatric nurses earn well?
Yes, starting salaries typically range $68,000–$78,000, depending on location and hospital type.
How fast do salaries grow?
On average, 4–7% per year, with larger increases through promotions, certifications, or specialty unit transfers.
Sources & Methodology
Data compiled from multiple salary surveys (Indeed, Glassdoor, PayScale), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ASCE and industry reports (2024–2025). All figures represent gross annual income before taxes.
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