Pediatric Nurse Salary Guide

A pediatric registered nurse’s advanced knowledge of caring for children at various stages of growth make them in-demand specialists. Pediatric RNs often work in facilities specifically dedicated to the care of children, including freestanding children’s hospitals or large hospitals with pediatric wards or specialty areas, such as pediatric intensive care units. Work setting is one of several aspects that determine the salary of a pediatrics RN.

Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in caring for children of all ages, from infancy through adolescence. Because health conditions and diseases often present differently and are treated differently in children than in adults, pediatric RNs must have in-depth knowledge of child growth and development. They may provide preventive and acute care, depending on their work setting, but they also play a crucial role in ensuring children have a positive healthcare experience.

Becoming a pediatric nurse requires a minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing, but a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is often preferred. The nursing program must be accredited either by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Nursing school graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed RN. Pediatric RNs also need Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support training and certification.

A pediatric RN's salary can vary widely across the country and each healthcare facility may base their salary on different components. However, many factors are similar, such as experience, education, work setting, and geographical setting.

The number of years of experience you have as an RN in the pediatric specialty will significantly influence your compensation. While nurses with five years of experience or less can expect a base salary on the lower end of the pay scale, those with 10 to 20 years of experience should land at the top of the scale.

You only need an ADN to become licensed and begin pursuing clinical work specializing in pediatric care. However, it can be to your advantage to pursue a BSN, which is often preferred by employers for specialty roles. Having a BSN versus an ADN may only slightly increase your base salary. But it prepares you to pursue an advanced degree, which can help you obtain jobs with expanded responsibilities and higher salaries.

Not all work settings pay pediatric nurses the same. You can expect a higher base salary for more intense workplaces. For example, PICU nurses are one of the higher paying nursing specialties. Lower intensity settings, such as pediatrician offices, may offer a slightly lower salary.

The state in which you practice can greatly influence your base salary as a pediatric RN. Nurses who practice on the West Coast, especially California, and in the Northeast typically earn much higher salaries than those who practice in the central part of the United States. However, many of these higher paying areas also have higher costs of living, which can effectively cancel out larger base salaries.

If all factors are equal, 90% of nurse managers prefer hiring certified nurses over their uncertified counterparts. Board certification and specialty certification can enhance your career mobility and increase your pediatrics RN salary.

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board offers Certified Pediatric Nurse credentialing. RNs sitting for this exam can have any level of nursing education but must have accumulated at least 1,800 hours of pediatric clinical experience within the past two years or 3,000 hours within the past five years.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC). You must have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice and 30 hours of continuing education in pediatric nursing before taking the exam.

If you primarily provide direct care to pediatric patients who are critically/acutely ill, such as in a PICU, you can pursue your Critical Care Registered Nurse (Pediatric) credential through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. You need 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill pediatric patients within the last two years or 2,000 hours within the last five.

Earning an advanced degree can significantly boost your pediatrics career and your salary potential. A Master of Science in Nursing with a pediatrics track may lead to advanced practice roles, such as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Pediatric NP certification is offered by the PNCB based on your practice role, which includes Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care. Nurse practitioners are some of the highest paid APRNs and certified NPs can earn even more.

Earning your Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS), Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC), Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or Certified Specialist in Poison Information (C-SPI) often increases your salary potential as a pediatric nurse or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Yes, having a Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a pediatric nurse.

Yes, having a Pediatric Nursing Certification (PED-BC) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a pediatric nurse.

Yes, having a Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a pediatric nurse.

Yes, having a Certified Specialist in Poison Information (C-SPI) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a pediatric nurse.

Take a look at Vivian's Pediatric Nurse Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.