How Much Does a Nurse Extern Make? (2025)
Nurse extern jobs operate under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) to deliver patient care while enrolled in nursing school. They support nurses and physicians within the parameters of expertise and capability. They also record patient care with the supplementary signature of the Registered Nurse.
As of September 23, 2025, nurse externs in the United States earn an average annual salary of $45,600.
By including details on expected incomes, geographic variations, and strategies to increase earnings, the article aims to help those who are interested in this area. This career path offers a blend of organizational understanding, and interpersonal interaction.
What is the Nurse Extern's Salary
As of September 23, 2025, the average salary for a nurse extern in the country is $45,600 per year or $22 per hour. The salary range for nurse extern is between $33,564 and $50,185, with most earnings of $39,300 to $48,000 per year depending on experience level.
2025 Average Salary for Nurse Extern: $299,401 per year ($144 per hour)
A nurse extern reported an average monthly salary of $3,800, while the average weekly pay is $877. Moreover, the average salary per hour is $22, according to the recent Salary.com report. These figures help candidates respond to common salary questions and set realistic expectations when negotiating.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $16 | $645 | $2,797 | $33,564 |
| 25th Percentile | $19 | $756 | $3,275 | $39,300 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $22 | $877 | $3,800 | $45,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $23 | $923 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $24 | $965 | $4,182 | $50,185 |
Apart from base pay, the nurse extern may receive additional cash compensation, which contributes to their total compensation package. The average total compensation for a nurse extern is $61,582 per year.
Nurse Extern Salaries State by State
Nurse extern salaries vary by state because of differences in wages, job demand, location, and living costs. Salary data serves as a helpful tool for job seekers to assess whether relocating for a role is financially worth it.
The table below shows the states with the highest pay for nurse externs are the District of Columbia ($50,500), California ($50,300), and Massachusetts ($49,600).
Meanwhile, the lowest average salaries for nurse externs are found in Mississippi ($40,700), West Virginia ($41,100), and South Dakota ($41,400). These numbers continue to highlight geographic disparities in pay for the same role.
| State | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $49,300 |
| Alabama | $41,900 |
| Arkansas | $41,200 |
| Arizona | $44,400 |
| California | $50,300 |
| Colorado | $46,500 |
| Connecticut | $48,700 |
| District of Columbia | $50,500 |
| Delaware | $46,200 |
| Florida | $43,100 |
| Georgia | $44,000 |
| Hawaii | $47,600 |
| Iowa | $43,600 |
| Idaho | $42,600 |
| Illinois | $46,500 |
| Indiana | $43,800 |
| Kansas | $43,400 |
| Kentucky | $42,900 |
| Louisiana | $43,300 |
| Massachusetts | $49,600 |
| Maryland | $47,000 |
| Maine | 44,500 |
| Michigan | $44,900 |
| Minnesota | $46,700 |
| Missouri | $43,300 |
| Mississippi | $40,700 |
| Montana | $43,000 |
| North Carolina | $43,300 |
| North Dakota | $45,000 |
| Nebraska | $43,000 |
| New Hampshire | $46,100 |
| New Jersey | $49,400 |
| New Mexico | $42,200 |
| Nevada | $45,100 |
| New York | $48,500 |
| Ohio | $44,400 |
| Oklahoma | $42,200 |
| Oregon | $46,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,400 |
| Rhode Island | $47,300 |
| South Carolina | $42,700 |
| South Dakota | $41,400 |
| Tennessee | $42,600 |
| Texas | $44,500 |
| Utah | $43,700 |
| Virginia | $45,900 |
| Vermont | $44,700 |
| Washington | $49,400 |
| Wisconsin | $44,800 |
| West Virginia | $41,100 |
| Wyoming | $43,700 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Nurse Extern?
Salaries also vary by city because of differences in living costs, local demand, and industry pay in urban areas. Job seekers planning to enter this field should consider which type of location offers the compensation they seek.
For example, California cities like San Jose and San Francisco offer a high average salary for nurse extern, with $57,500 and $56,900, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $57,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | $56,900 |
| Oakland, CA | $55,700 |
| New York, NY | $52,800 |
| Queens Village, NY | $52,500 |
| Paramus, NJ | $52,100 |
How Does Experience Affect Nurse Extern Salaries?
The salary for nurse extern increases with experience. According to a Salary.com report, entry-level nurse externs earn an average of $43,466 per year, while experienced nurse externs with over 8 years of experience earn an average of $46,158 per year. In addition, the work performed at different stages of a career reflects the ways professionals develop specialized skills over time.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nurse Extern | $43,466 |
| Intermediate Level Nurse Extern | $43,951 |
| Senior Level Nurse Extern | $44,630 |
| Specialist Level Nurse Extern | $45,651 |
| Expert Level Nurse Extern | $46,158 |
How to Increase Salary as a Nurse Extern?
Individuals looking to boost their income as a nurse extern can adopt several strategies to learn and grow in the field:
Nurse Extern Advancements
- Education: Enrollment in an accredited nursing program and completion of a minimum of one clinical rotation or its equivalent are prerequisites for becoming a nurse extern. Typically, the position involves both a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and the pursuit of an associate degree in nursing.
- Gain experience: Gaining more hands-on experience as a nurse extern can lead to higher pay, since companies often value advanced clinical skills and proven competency in patient care. With additional experience, nurse externs may also qualify for expanded responsibilities, which can contribute to increased salary opportunities. According to our data, professionals in this area with over 8 years of experience can estimate their annual earnings at about $46,158 per year.
- Specialize: Develop expertise in high-demand skills such as patient safety, first aid, and healthcare industry. Our data shows these skills can generate a salary increase of 8.46%, 8.00%, and 7.39%, respectively. It's also helpful to regularly check which skills are most in demand, as specialization makes you a sought-after expert, allowing you to command higher compensation.
Nurse Extern Skills
Nurse externs with certain skills can also increase their salaries. According to our Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a nurse extern with patient safety skills can earn an 8.46% salary increase, followed by aseptic techniques with also an 8.46% increase.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Safety | 10.60% | 8.46% |
| Aseptic Techniques | 10.30% | 8.46% |
| First Aid | 10.10% | 8.00% |
| Healthcare Industry | 10.00% | 7.39% |
| Patient Chart Reading and Interpretation | 10.30% | 7.35% |
| Medication Record Management | 10.60% | 7.20% |
What are the FAQs About Nurse Extern Salaries?
Here are some common questions about or related to nurse extern:
What does a nurse extern do?
While enrolled in nursing school, a nurse extern assists with patient care and obtains practical clinical experience while working under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). Among their responsibilities are helping doctors and nurses as needed, recording patient care with RN sign-off, attending to patients' needs, helping with feeding and sanitation, taking vital signs, monitoring blood sugar, and carrying out other assigned activities. Under direct RN supervision with dual sign-off, they might also administer drugs in certain situations.
What educational background or degree is needed to become a nurse extern?
To become a nurse extern, you must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and have completed at least one clinical rotation or its equivalent. The role typically requires working toward an associate degree in nursing, along with holding a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Does a nurse extern make good money?
Yes, nurse externs generally receive substantial compensation. In the U.S., the average yearly wage is approximately $45,600, with the high 90th percentile exceeding $50,185, indicating substantial earning potential for experienced professionals. For those exploring this path, using a job search on the web makes it easier to compare pay rates across states, identify the most important factors affecting compensation, and find great opportunities.
