Pediatric nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in caring for infants, children, and adolescents.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies all registered nurses under SOC 29-1141, reporting a median annual wage of approximately $81,220 — or about $39.05 per hour — as of the most recent OEWS data.
Pediatric nurses typically earn wages at or somewhat above the overall RN median because their specialty requires additional clinical training, certifications such as the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential, and expertise in child-specific pharmacology, developmental assessment, and family-centered care.
BLS projects registered nursing employment to grow about 6 percent through 2032, generating roughly 177,400 openings annually.
Pediatric nursing positions may be found in children's hospitals, pediatric units within general hospitals, outpatient pediatric clinics, school health programs, and home health agencies.
Geographic location, employer size, and shift differentials are additional key factors that influence pediatric nurse compensation in 2026.
For related nursing specialty salary comparisons, see the NICU nurse salary, and learn which nursing specialties pay the most.
Pediatric Nurse Salary Overview (2026)
Pediatric nurses are credentialed as registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) and receive pay benchmarked to the overall RN wage scale, typically with a specialty differential for pediatric expertise.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for all RNs is approximately $81,220 ($39.05/hr) as of the most recent OEWS data.
Pediatric specialty differentials — where applicable — may add roughly $2,000 to $6,000 above the base RN rate.
| Percentile | Annual Salary (RN Base) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 25th | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| 50th (Median) | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| 75th | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| 90th | $120,000 | $57.69 |
These figures reflect the national RN wage distribution and serve as the base framework for pediatric nurse compensation. Actual pediatric nurse pay depends on specialty certifications, employer type, and geographic market.
To see exactly how wages like $39 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $39 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Pediatric Nurse Pay by Experience Level
As with all nursing specialties, pediatric nurse salaries typically rise with years of experience, advancement of clinical skills, and acquisition of specialty certifications.
The ranges below reflect typical compensation at each career stage for pediatric-focused RNs, based on BLS wage data and industry surveys as of 2026.
| Experience Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $62,000 – $72,000 |
| Mid-Career (3–8 years) | $72,000 – $95,000 |
| Experienced (9+ years) | $95,000 – $120,000+ |
Nurses who earn the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) or the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) credential often advance faster and may reach higher salary bands earlier in their careers.
Pediatric Nurse Salary by State and Region
Geographic location is a primary driver of pediatric nurse compensation. States with high costs of living, strong union representation, or heavy concentrations of children's hospitals typically offer the highest wages, according to BLS OEWS data.
Top-Paying States
Based on BLS data for registered nurses, the highest-paying states include California, Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska, and Massachusetts.
Median RN wages in California, for example, may reach $124,000 or more due to state regulations, union contracts, and nurse staffing ratio laws.
Pediatric nurses in these markets can generally expect wages at or above those state medians, though the cost of living in California is among the nation's highest and must be factored into any compensation comparison.
Regional Patterns
The West Coast consistently offers the highest nurse wages nationally.
The Northeast is above average, particularly in New England and the mid-Atlantic region.
The South and Midwest tend to report wages closer to the national median, though large children's hospital systems in cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Columbus may pay competitive rates.
Pediatric home health and school nurse roles in any region may pay below hospital rates but offer greater schedule flexibility.
Factors That Affect Pediatric Nurse Pay
Several factors beyond geography and experience level may significantly influence a pediatric nurse's annual earnings.
Specialty Certification
Holding the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential from PNCB is strongly associated with career advancement and higher wages.
CPN-certified nurses demonstrate expertise in pediatric-specific care, which many hospital systems recognize through pay differentials or promotion eligibility.
Additional certifications — such as Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or neonatal certifications — may further support higher compensation.
Pediatric nurses who want to advance into even higher-earning specialties should explore how the nurse practitioner salary compares to staff RN earnings.
Work Setting
Children's hospitals, pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), and pediatric oncology units typically offer the highest wages for pediatric nurses due to patient acuity and complexity.
Outpatient pediatric clinics and school nurse positions often pay less but may offer more regular hours.
Home health pediatric nursing typically falls between hospital and clinic pay levels.
Employer Type
Large academic children's medical centers, non-profit hospital systems, and VA facilities each have distinct pay structures.
Many large pediatric hospital systems are unionized, which can result in above-average base wages and clearly defined step increases.
For-profit employers may offer higher base wages but fewer guaranteed raises.
Shift Differentials and Overtime
Pediatric nurses who work evening, night, or weekend shifts typically receive shift differentials — often 10 to 25 percent above base hourly pay.
In regions with nursing shortages, hospitals may offer additional incentive pay or sign-on bonuses.
Overtime hours are compensated at 1.5 times the regular rate under the FLSA for eligible employees.
Pediatric Nurse Career Outlook
The BLS projects overall registered nurse employment to grow approximately 6 percent through 2032, with approximately 177,400 openings expected annually across all nursing specialties.
Pediatric nursing specifically benefits from ongoing demand driven by the continuous need to replace retiring nurses and the expansion of pediatric specialty care in both hospital and outpatient settings.
Pediatric nursing shortages have been documented in several regions, particularly in rural areas and specialty care units such as PICUs and pediatric oncology.
Nurses with pediatric specialty certifications, PICU experience, or training in pediatric hematology and oncology may find particularly strong employment prospects.
Advances in pediatric telehealth may also create new remote nursing roles focused on pediatric care coordination and family education.
Pediatric nurses should review salary negotiation principles when changing employers and maximize retirement savings through a Roth IRA or employer 403(b) plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average pediatric nurse salary in 2026?
Pediatric nurses are classified as registered nurses (SOC 29-1141) by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reports a median annual wage of approximately $81,220 ($39.05/hr) for all RNs.
Pediatric nurses with specialty certifications or working in high-acuity settings may earn above this median, with specialty differentials typically adding $2,000 to $6,000 per year.
For broader nursing career pay context, see the registered nurse salary overview and the labor and delivery nurse salary as a comparable specialty comparison.
What certification do pediatric nurses need?
All pediatric nurses must first be licensed as registered nurses (RN) in their state, which requires completing an accredited nursing program (ADN or BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
The voluntary Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) demonstrates specialty expertise and is associated with career advancement and higher wages.
Do pediatric nurses earn more than general RNs?
Pediatric nurses generally earn wages within the same range as other RNs, but those working in high-acuity settings such as the PICU or pediatric oncology may earn above-average RN wages.
Specialty certifications and complex patient populations may support higher pay in some hospital systems.
The BLS does not publish separate median wages specifically for pediatric nurses.
What is the difference between a pediatric nurse and a pediatric nurse practitioner?
A pediatric nurse is an RN working in a pediatric setting.
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) holds a master's or doctoral degree and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure, allowing them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently in most states.
PNPs typically earn significantly more than staff RNs.
Which pediatric nursing specialty pays the most?
Based on BLS data for specialty nursing roles and industry surveys, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses, pediatric cardiac nurses, and pediatric hematology/oncology nurses typically earn among the highest wages within pediatric nursing due to patient complexity and acuity.
These roles often come with additional shift differentials for non-standard hours.
Nurses interested in which nursing subspecialties carry the highest total compensation should review which nursing specialties pay the most for a comprehensive breakdown.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141) — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
- U.S. Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act Overtime Provisions — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
Last updated: April 27, 2026