Welcome to the November 2025 edition of the SkillGigs Money Story, your monthly, data-driven breakdown of verified RN salary trends across the U.S. healthcare market. Pulling from 3,000+ verified employer bids, this report delivers transparent insights into where RN pay is rising, holding steady, or adjusting as we move deeper into Q4 and closer to peak winter staffing season.
With hospitals preparing for holiday surges, seasonal contract extensions, and rapid-response needs, November’s numbers highlight which specialties are accelerating into late-year demand and which are experiencing natural fluctuations.
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Acute Care RN
- Jan: $53.56
- Feb: $53.87
- Mar: $54.41
- Apr: $53.43
- May: $51.79
- June: $53.43
- July: $54.82
- Aug: $55.72
- Sept: $55.38
- Oct: $55.26
- Nov: $53.73
Trend: After maintaining strong stability through October, November data reflects a slight correction in the industry and the monthly average salary closes at $53.73. Strong bounce back is expected in December to meet the rising pre-winter inpatient admissions.
ER RN
- Jan: $60.43
- Feb: $63.90
- Mar: $60.95
- Apr: $61.60
- May: $59.36
- June: $58.51
- July: $60.44
- Aug: $60.77
- Sept: $59.71
- Oct: $58.53
- Nov: $57.45
Trend: ER RN salaries softened slightly in October. November shows a slight correction but it is expected to close very strongly as emergency departments push compensation up as seasonal volumes increase.
ICU RN Salary Trend
- Jan: $62.97
- Feb: $61.99
- Mar: $62.20
- Apr: $62.42
- May: $62.50
- June: $62.71
- July: $63.63
- Aug: $62.99
- Sept: $63.17
- Oct: $60.79
- Nov: $60.43
Trend: After a notable dip in October, November data shows stabilization in ICU RN pay and is expected to rebound with growing critical-care demands during peak winter-prep staffing.
Labor & Delivery (L&D) RN
- Jan: $66.47
- Feb: $66.16
- Mar: $64.75
- Apr: $66.30
- May: $64.57
- June: $65.82
- July: $66.39
- Aug: $65.39
- Sept: $65.98
- Oct: $69.00
- Nov: $69.99
Trend: L&D RNs saw a strong jump in October, remaining one of the highest-paid specialties. November data shows that upward momentum continues into late Q4.
Med Surg RN
- Jan: $60.11
- Feb: $60.37
- Mar: $60.17
- Apr: $59.98
- May: $58.69
- June: $58.33
- July: $57.44
- Aug: $56.38
- Sept: $52.34
- Oct: $55.70
- Nov: $52.78
Trend: After reversing months of decline in October, November reveals that Med Surg RN is facing renewed budget pressure but we are all hopeful for a strong closing for the month of December.
OR RN (Operating Room)
- Jan: $66.66
- Feb: $64.54
- Mar: $64.37
- Apr: $65.30
- May: $65.92
- June: $64.18
- July: $63.29
- Aug: $61.92
- Sept: $62.82
- Oct: $61.41
- Nov: $61.43
Trend: OR RN salaries dipped again in October. November trends show a stabilisation in the salary trends.
PCU RN (Progressive Care Unit)
- Jan: $62.37
- Feb: $62.09
- Mar: $62.09
- Apr: $62.49
- May: $61.14
- June: $60.11
- July: $60.67
- Aug: $61.15
- Sept: $60.70
- Oct: $58.24
- Nov: $59.50
Trend: PCU RN salaries hit their lowest point of the year in October. November data shows a slight upward trend, showing the increasing demand at the end of the year.
Physical Therapist
- Jan: $64.00
- Feb: $64.07
- Mar: $63.90
- Apr: $64.19
- May: $62.64
- June: $62.51
- July: $61.28
- Aug: $61.71
- Sept: $60.31
- Oct: $60.97
- Nov: $62.96
Trend: PT salaries showed a small recovery in October. November’s reading shows that the stabilization continues as outpatient volumes shift into Q4.
TeleHealth RN Salary Trends
- Jan: $58.22
- Feb: $58.61
- Mar: $58.84
- Apr: $58.92
- May: $59.03
- June: $58.19
- July: $61.30
- Aug: $59.62
- Sept: $59.65
- Oct: $57.29
- Nov: $58.90
Trend: After a dip in October, November data shows a bounce back in virtual care demand trends heading into year-end, influencing TeleHealth RN average pay.
Conclusion
November marks a critical point in the RN salary cycle, as healthcare systems prepare for winter surges, rapid-response needs, and holiday staffing gaps. From the consistency of ICU and L&D to the evolving patterns in ER, Med Surg, and PCU, these RN Salary Trends provide travel nurses with essential insights before entering the busiest contract season of the year.
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