Average Chief Nurse Salary

$119,504
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$76k
MEDIAN
$120k
90%
$185k

The average salary for a Chief Nurse is $119,504 in 2025

Base Salary
$76k - $185k
Bonus
$0 - $5k
Total Pay
$76k - $188k
Is Average Chief Nurse Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
United States (change)
How it works:
1
Enter city & years of experience
2
Add pay factors like skills & education
3
Find your market worth with a report tailored to you
Find your market worth – how it works:

How do Chief Nurses Rate Their Jobs?

Not enough data
(1)
We currently don't have any reviews for this job and need at least 5 ratings before we can calculate a satisfaction score. Are you a Chief Nurse? Take our survey to help us meet this goal.

FAQs About Chief Nurses

What is the highest pay for Chief Nurses?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Chief Nurse is $185k / year

What is the lowest pay for Chief Nurses?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Chief Nurse is $76k / year

How can Chief Nurses increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Chief Nurse is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Chief Nurse that oversees more junior Chief Nurses, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.