Last Updated: April 2026
ER Nurse Salary 2026: Pay, Demand & Growth
Emergency room nurses are the frontline of acute care — and their pay reflects it. In 2026, ER nurses earn an average of approximately $89,000/year, with strong growth driven by increasing ED volumes and nursing shortages.
Average ER Nurse Salary in 2026
The national average ER nurse salary is approximately $89,000/year ($42.79/hr), approximately 15% above the overall RN average.
ER Nurse Pay by State (2026)
| State | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $116,000 | $55.77/hr |
| Oregon | $100,000 | $48.08/hr |
| Washington | $98,000 | $47.12/hr |
| New York | $96,000 | $46.15/hr |
| Massachusetts | $94,500 | $45.43/hr |
| Texas | $78,500 | $37.74/hr |
| Florida | $75,000 | $36.06/hr |
| National Average | $89,010 | $42.79/hr |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 + NurseSalaryIntel data
ER Nurse Salary by Experience Level
New ER nurses start at $68,000–$76,000. With 5+ years of experience, salaries climb to $88,000–$100,000. Senior ER nurses with 10+ years and leadership responsibilities earn $100,000–$120,000.
CEN Certification and Pay Impact
The CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) certification adds an average of $4,800/year to ER nurse salaries. Level I trauma centers increasingly prefer or require CEN certification.
✈️ Travel Pay Note
Travel nurse rates on this page are total weekly package figures — they combine a taxable base hourly rate with non-taxable housing and meal stipends. These are not directly comparable to staff RN annual salary. Key differences: travel contracts typically run 13 weeks with unpaid gaps between assignments; stipends require maintaining a qualifying tax home (an added cost); and travelers receive no employer-sponsored benefits such as health insurance, PTO, or retirement contributions.
ER Travel Nurse Salary
ER travel nurses earn $2,400–$3,200/week (total package: taxable base + non-taxable stipends — not comparable to staff annual salary). Urban Level I trauma centers pay the most, while rural ERs offer lower rates but often include housing.
See all travel nurse specialty salaries →ER Nurse vs. ICU Nurse Salary
ICU nurses earn approximately $6,000–$8,000 more per year than ER nurses on average. However, ER nurses often earn more in overtime and shift differentials due to 24/7 coverage needs and unpredictable volumes.
Compare with ICU nurse salary →ER Nurse Salary by State — All 50 States
Click any state for a full breakdown of ER nurse pay, experience bands, and local ED market data.
📊 Data Methodology
Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.
Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ER nurses make an hour?
Do ER nurses get paid more than floor nurses?
Is CEN certification worth it for pay?
What is the highest-paying state for ER nurses?
Browse ER Nurse Salary by State
ER Nurse pay varies significantly by state. Select a state to see local salary data, top employers, and how it compares to the national average.
See all states: RN salary by state → · All specialties →
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