Working in the ER means living on adrenaline where seconds count, decisions matter, and every heartbeat is a race against time. But beyond thrill and pressure, ER nurses are also making the highest salaries in nursing. The salaries of ER (Emergency Room Nurses) vary widely across the US, and in this blog, we will reveal exactly how much ER nurses make in 2026.
But before we dive into ER nurses’ salary insights, advance your career with SkillGigs and become a Travel ER nurse with us. Sign your first contract and get a $500 bonus.
What is an emergency room nurse
An emergency room nurse (ER, also known as Emergency Department registered nurse (ED RN) are highly skilled professionals who take care of patients when they arrive to ER. These are the front-line responders in the hospital and use triage to provide care to the patients. They are trained to handle a wide range of situations, from minor curs to severe traumas. They quickly assess the patient and determine who needs immediate attention and prioritize the most critical cases.
Types of ER nurses and their salaries in 2026
From managing chaos to life-saving intervention- ER nurses do it all, but do you know how much ER nurses are making in 2026? The pay of ER nurses varies according to location, type of employment, experience, etc. Here is the breakdown of types of ER nurses and their salaries in 2026.
The average salary of ER nurses in the US
The average salary of ER nurses in the US is $41/ hour, but it can range roughly between $37 to $50 per hour. Many factors affect the overall salary of ER nurses, but experience plays an important role.
EntryLevel (0 – <1 yr): $31.66/hr – $34/hr
Early Career (1 – 2 yrs): $31 – $37/hr
MidLevel (2 – 4 yrs): ~$37 – $45/hr
Senior / Experienced (5 – 8 yrs): $45 – $50+ /hr
Expert (>8 yrs): $45 – $50+ /hr
Staff ER nurse salary in 2026
Staff ER nurses are registered nurses who are employed by the hospitals. They work full-time or part-time. Salaries of ER nurses are greatly affected by the hours they work. Here is the breakdown of the staff ER nurse salary.
Full-time staff nurses:
These registered nurses have a regular schedule and are paid hourly. Their base pay is less, but they get other benefits such as health insurance, PTO, retirement, etc. They work 12-hour shifts for 3 days a week or 8-hour shifts for 5 days a week. The average pay of full-time staff ER RN is typically $35 – $48/hr.
Part-time nurses/ per diem nurses:
Part-time/per diem nurses have flexible schedules. They work when they are needed or work on holidays and weekends. Their base pay is higher than full time nurses, but their benefits are limited to none. The average pay of a part-time ER RN is typically $40 – $70+/hr.
Travel ER nurse salary in 2026
Travel ER nurses are registered nurses who travel across the US and work on contracts (typically 13 weeks). The overall salary of a travel ER RN depends on location, bonus, stipends, etc. The average pay of a travel ER nurse in Feb 2026 is $63.90/hr. (source: money story put link here).
ER nurse manager salary in 2026
ER managers are nurses who supervise the ER nurse staff and handle scheduling, clinical governance, and sometimes budgeting. The typical salary of an ER nurse manager in 2026 is roughly between $87k – $123k/ year.
Charge ER nurse salary in 2026
Charge ER nurses are experienced nurses who oversee the emergency department. They are the team leaders who manage ER staff, assign patients, and make sure everything runs smoothly in the emergency department of a hospital. The average salary of a charge ER nurse is $49 per hour, but it typically ranges form $47 – $55/hr.
ER nurses salary by state in 2026
The salaries of ER nurses greatly vary among states depending on the cost of living, demand, etc. States with a high cost of living pay more than low-cost living areas. But some smaller states, such as Rhode Island, pay more because of higher demand. Here is the list of average ER nurses’ salaries by state.
- Hawaii: $138,666/year
- California: $113,512/year
- Massachusetts: $109,099/year
- New York: $106,369/year
- Rhode Island: $104,571/year
Factors affecting ER nurse salary in 2026
All emergency room nurses work in an intense healthcare environment where they make split-second decisions, but the salaries of ER nurses differ from one hospital to another. Several key factors that affect the ER nurse salaries are as follows:
- Experience Level: ER nurses with more experience get higher pay than entry-level nurses.
- Location: Location and type of the facility also plays important role in ER nurse salaries. Large hospitals pay more than smaller clinics.
- Education and Certification: Education and certification can also affect your pay. If you have a BSN degree and additional certifications, then you can negotiate your pay and ask for more.
- Shift differential and Overtime: Nurses working on weekends and holidays get higher pay. Overtime also boosts ER RN salary.
- Trauma level in ER: Where you work in ER also matters and affects your pay, such as level 1 and 2 trauma centers pay more to ER nurses because of higher patient acuity, faster pace, and advanced skills are required.
How to boost your income as an ER (Emergency Room) nurse in 2026
For staff nurses:
- Pick night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Earn additional certifications to boost your pay.
- Negotiate retention bonus and annual raises.
- Take on mentor roles.
- Works per diem shifts at nearby hospitals to get extra money.
For Travel ER nurses:
- Choose rapid response assignments as their pay is higher.
- Target high-demand areas such as California, New York, etc.
- Get back-to-back contracts to avoid downtime.
- Negotiate your pay, housing stipends, and other benefits.
- Extend contracts.
- Use SkillGigs to bid on jobs, instead of fixed pay, to boost your income.
What state pays ER nurses the most?
Hawaii pays the ER nurses the highest average pay in the US.
Do ER nurses make more than ICU nurses?
No, ICU nurses make equal or slightly more than ER nurses, but the pay of ER nurses varies by hospital or region.
How much do travel ER nurses make per week?
The travel ER nurses’ pay depends on location, experience, demand, certification, bonuses, etc., but the average pay of ER nurses in the US is $2,100 – $2,200/week, and it can exceed to $3,700/week or more.
Conclusion
ER (Emergency Room Nurses) face the toughest shifts, blue codes, making life or death decisions, etc., but they are also one of the highest paid specialties in healthcare. In 2026, ER nurses are enjoying high salaries, but varies according to state, experience, demand, and type of employment. Getting additional certification, targeting high-paying locations, and gaining experience can boost your ER nurse’s income in 2026. Become an ER travel nurse with SkillGigs and explore high-paying Travel ER contracts. Sign your first contract and get a $500 bonus. So don’t miss out and start creating your SkillGigs profile today!
