Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the SkillGigs Money Story, your monthly, data-driven snapshot of verified RN salary trends across the U.S. healthcare market. Backed by insights from 3,000+ verified employer bids, this report helps travel nurses understand how compensation is shifting as we close out the year and move into peak winter staffing demand.
December is a defining month for healthcare RN salary trends. With holiday staffing gaps, increased inpatient volumes, and urgent contract extensions, this month’s salary averages help signal how facilities are positioning themselves going into the new year.
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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
- Dec: $52.88
Trend: After a slight correction in November, December data shows a slight decline but acute care RN has a promising year ahead as hospitals manage winter admissions and extended patient stays.
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
- Dec: $58.53
Trend: ER RN salaries softened through late Q3 and early Q4. December data shows an upward trend showing that the rising emergency volumes and holiday coverage needs push compensation back upward.
ICU RN
- 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
- Dec: $61.10
Trend: ICU RN pay stabilized in November following October’s dip. December tested ICU demand strength and showed an upward trend as critical care capacity becomes a top priority during winter surges.
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
- Dec: $67.04
Trend: L&D RN salaries remained among the highest across all specialties through November. Although December figures show a slight decline but L&D RN has a promising year ahead as it is one of the evergreen RN specialties.
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
- Dec: $53.22
Trend: Med Surg RN salaries faced renewed pressure in November. December data shows hospitals stabilize compensation amid budget planning for 2026.
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
- Dec: $63.46
Trend: OR RN salaries showed signs of stabilization in November. December shows elective procedure demand and backlog clearing, influencing a late-year rebound and promising a strong start to the new year OR RN salary trend.
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
- Dec: $58.56
Trend: After hitting a low point in October, PCU RN salaries began recovering in November. December data again shows some stabilization in the salary trend.
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
- Dec: $64.20
Trend: PT salaries rebounded in November after months of gradual decline. December data shows that the outpatient demand and year-end scheduling support sustained growth and a strong start to the new year.
TeleHealth RN
- 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
- Dec: $64.14
Trend: TeleHealth RN salaries rebounded in November following an October dip. December trends showed a very strong closing to the year, promising a very bright year ahead.
Conclusion
December represents one of the most important checkpoints in the RN salary cycle. As healthcare systems balance winter surges, holiday staffing gaps, and year-end budgets, RN salary trends this month will shape expectations for early 2026.
From the continued strength of L&D and ICU roles to evolving adjustments across ER, Med Surg, and PCU specialties, the December Money Story provides travel nurses with a clear view of where opportunity and earning potential remain strongest.
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