Hospice nursing has a reputation for paying less than hospital nursing. That reputation is partly accurate. But it’s also incomplete and the full picture changes the financial comparison more than most nurses expect.
This guide covers what hospice nurses actually earn in 2026. That includes the salaried positions most articles focus on, the per-visit pay model most articles ignore, and the mileage reimbursement that adds thousands to annual income that never shows up in any salary average.
Hospice Nurse Salary — National Averages in 2026
What the Data Shows
Several sources track hospice nurse pay, and they show different numbers. Here’s what each is actually measuring:
ZipRecruiter (August 22, 2026): $87,186/year ($41.92/hour). Based on employer job postings and third-party data.
Glassdoor (665 salary submissions, 2026): $90,303/year ($43/hour). Range: $78,877 at the 25th percentile to $103,793 at the 75th. Top 10% earn up to $117,596. This is the most reliable dataset because it comes from actual nurses reporting their real pay.
NursingEducation.org (BLS-anchored, 2026): $94,480/year ($45.42/hour).
The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey (Smiley et al., 2025), cited by Research.com, puts hospice and palliative care RN pay at approximately $89,000/year.
The reliable range for a mid-career staff hospice RN: $87,000–$101,000 per year.
Hospice Nurse Pay vs. Hospital RN
The BLS national RN median is $97,550 per year. Hospice nurses average $87,000–$94,000, roughly $5,000–$10,000 below the hospital figure.
That gap is real. But here’s what the comparison leaves out.
Hospital nurses who earn above the RN median are often doing it through night shift differentials, weekend premiums, and holiday pay. A hospital RN earning $97,000 may be working two night shifts per week and every other weekend to get there.
Hospice nurses, particularly in home settings, typically work standard daytime hours, Monday through Friday. No nights, no weekends and no holidays. The $10,000 pay gap often disappears when you account for what hospital nurses have to work to earn the extra money.
Related reading: How Much Do Registered Nurses Make in 2026?
Hospice Nurse Pay by Work Setting
This is the section no competing article covers clearly. “Hospice nurse” can mean several different things and the pay structure varies significantly by setting.
| Work Setting | Average Annual Salary | Schedule Type |
| Hospital-based hospice | ~$96,830/yr | Team-based, structured shifts |
| Inpatient hospice facility | ~$88,180/yr | Team-based, more predictable |
| Home hospice (salaried) | $78,000–$95,000/yr | Drive-based, autonomous |
| Home hospice (per-visit) | $70,000–$115,000+ | Depends on visit volume |
Hospital-based hospice programs pay the most. They sit within acute care infrastructure and compete for nurses against other hospital departments. The pay reflects that competition.
Home hospice salaried positions pay less on paper. But the work environment is fundamentally different: one-on-one patient relationships, autonomous schedule management, no hospital politics.
The Per-Visit Pay Model
Some home hospice employers don’t pay a salary at all. They pay per patient visit.
Rates vary by visit type:
- Routine home care visits: $65–$85 per visit
- Complex or crisis visits: $90–$120 per visit
Run the math on a productive day: a nurse completing 6 visits at $80 each earns $480 that day. Over 240 working days, that’s $115,200 per year.
That’s more than most salaried hospice nurse positions and more than the national RN median. The per-visit model rewards efficiency. Nurses who can manage their time well and build strong patient relationships earn well above what salary figures suggest.
The Mileage Factor Nobody Calculates
Home hospice nurses drive between patient homes throughout the day. That driving generates mileage reimbursement and most salary comparisons ignore it entirely.
The IRS standard mileage rate for 2026 is $0.67/mile. A hospice nurse driving 150 miles per day receives $100.50 in reimbursement.
Over 240 working days: $24,120 per year in untaxed mileage reimbursement.
Add that to an $87,000 salaried position, and total compensation reaches roughly $111,000, comparable to most hospital nursing packages in the same market.
The salary comparison between hospice and hospital nursing looks very different when you include what home hospice nurses actually take home.
Hospice Nurse Salary by State
Highest-Paying States and Cities
| State/City | Average Annual Salary | vs. National Average |
| Washington | $98,746 | +13.3% |
| DC | $97,844 | +12.2% |
| New York | $95,386 | +9.4% |
| Napa, CA | $113,423 | +30.1% |
| Darien, CT | $108,691 | +24.7% |
Source: ZipRecruiter, August 2026
Washington leads at the state level, sitting $11,560 above the national average. Fifteen states total pay above the national average for hospice nurses, according to ZipRecruiter’s August 2026 data.
California city-level data shows wide variation. Napa at $113,423 reflects a high-cost market with strong healthcare demand. The statewide average is lower.
Lowest-Paying States
Southeastern states like Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas track at the low end, consistent with general BLS RN data for those regions. The $70,000–$80,000 range is typical.
For home hospice nurses specifically, the cost of living and mileage reimbursement rates in your area affect real take-home more than raw salary figures suggest. A nurse earning $87,000 in rural Georgia with a short drive between patients is in a different financial position than one earning $87,000 in Los Angeles with 90 minutes of driving per day.
CHPN Certification — Does It Increase Your Pay?
What the CHPN Is
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) is issued by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center. It validates competency in end-of-life care, symptom management, and family communication. Requirements: two years of RN practice and 500 hours in hospice or palliative care nursing.
The Pay Impact
Facilities with certification pay programs offer one of two structures:
- Step increase: $0.50–$2.00/hour above base rate, permanently
- One-time bonus: $500–$2,000 upon certification
Beyond direct pay, CHPN opens eligibility for case manager and team lead roles. Those positions typically pay $5,000–$15,000 above staff nurse rates. The credential signals expertise that justifies a leadership track and leadership pays more.
For nurses two or three years into a hospice career, CHPN is worth pursuing. The exam cost and prep time pay back quickly.
Hospice Nurse Demand in 2026 — The Picture Is Strong
Hospice nursing has something that most nursing specialties don’t: structural, demographic demand that isn’t going away.
The Numbers Behind the Demand
56% of all hospice care is now delivered in home settings, according to RegisteredNursing.org’s August 2026 analysis. That’s a growing category with a growing need for nurses who can work independently in patients’ homes.
The U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to reach 80 million by 2040. That population is the primary driver of hospice care utilization. Demand has grown every year for the past decade.
Currently, only about 4% of U.S. registered nurses specialize primarily in hospice and palliative care, according to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey. The supply side is growing slowly. Demand is not.
RegisteredNursing.org put it plainly in their August 2026 guide: “The demand for hospice nurses is not just growing, it is accelerating.”
What This Means for Pay
Growing demand with slow supply growth creates upward pressure on hospice salaries. Nurses building hospice careers now are entering a specialty where job security strengthens year over year. That’s a different position than specialties where demand fluctuates with healthcare system cycles.
5 Ways to Increase Your Hospice Nurse Salary
- Pursue CHPN certification. A $0.50–$2.00/hour permanent step increase at most facilities. Opens case management and team lead roles that pay $5,000–$15,000 more than staff positions.
- Move to a hospital-based hospice program. Average pay of $96,830/year — the highest of any hospice work setting. Hospital-based programs compete for nurses against other departments and pay accordingly.
- Explore per-visit pay models. High-efficiency nurses doing 6+ visits per day can earn $100,000+ on per-visit structures. More than most salaried positions in the same market.
- Target high-paying states. Washington ($98,746), DC ($97,844), New York ($95,386), and California cities like Napa ($113,423) all pay well above the national average.
- Work with a high-paying Nursing Company like SkillGigs. Another way of banking a good amount is by working with an actually high-paying company like SkillGigs. Nurses are earning up to $3600/wee with SkillGigs. Sign up now and get your dream job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hospice nurse make per hour?
Glassdoor’s 665-submission dataset puts the average at $43/hour for hospice nurses in 2026. ZipRecruiter shows $41.92/hour. NursingEducation.org’s BLS-anchored figure is $45.42/hour. The range across mid-career hospice nurses is roughly $38–$50/hour depending on state and work setting.
Is hospice nursing a good career financially?
Yes, especially when total compensation is calculated properly. Base salaries of $87,000–$101,000 are competitive with many nursing specialties. Home hospice nurses on per-visit models can earn $100,000–$115,000+. Mileage reimbursement adds $20,000–$25,000 in untaxed income annually for nurses driving long distances. The financial picture is more favorable than base salary figures suggest.
Do hospice nurses make less than hospital nurses?
On base salary, typically yes, by $5,000–$10,000. But hospital nurses earning above the median are usually working nights, weekends, and holidays to get there. Hospice nurses generally don’t work those hours. When you compare nurses working equivalent schedules, the pay gap narrows significantly. Home hospice nurses with per-visit pay and mileage reimbursement often earn comparable or more than hospital nurses in the same market.
What state pays hospice nurses the most?
Washington leads at the state level with an average of $98,746/year — 13.3% above the national average. DC follows at $97,844. At the city level, Napa, California tops the list at $113,423 — 30.1% above the national average, according to ZipRecruiter’s August 2026 state data.
Does CHPN certification increase hospice nurse pay?
Yes. Facilities with certification pay programs offer a $0.50–$2.00/hour step increase or a $500–$2,000 one-time bonus for CHPN holders. Beyond direct pay, the credential opens case management and team lead roles that pay $5,000–$15,000 above staff nurse positions. The CHPN is issued by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center and requires 500 hours of hospice nursing practice.
Is there demand for hospice nurses in 2026?
Strong and growing. 56% of hospice care is now delivered at home, and the U.S. 65+ population is projected to reach 80 million by 2040. Only 4% of U.S. registered nurses currently specialize in hospice. The supply side is growing slowly while demand accelerates. RegisteredNursing.org’s August 2026 guide describes the demand as “not just growing but accelerating.”
Do hospice nurses get mileage reimbursement?
Home hospice nurses typically receive mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate, $0.67/mile for 2026. A nurse driving 150 miles per day receives $100.50 in daily reimbursement. Over 240 working days, that’s $24,120 per year in untaxed income. This component is not included in any salary average and significantly increases total compensation for home hospice nurses with long daily routes.
