Psychiatric Nurse Salary By State – (2024 Figures)

Written By: Darby FaubionDarby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA

Are you a nurse who loves learning about psychiatric and mental health issues? Have you considered becoming a psychiatric nurse but do not know if it is the right career path for you? Maybe you are interested in becoming a psychiatric nurse but wonder if it is a good financial decision. You may ask, “How much does a psychiatric nurse make?”

As you continue reading this article, you will find the answer to that question, as I share the psychiatric nurse salary in 2024 for each state in the United States. You will also discover which cities and states pay the highest psychiatric nurse salaries, what the salary outlook for psychiatric nurses is like, and how to maximize your earnings.

What is the Starting Salary of a New Grad Psychiatric Nurse?

As you weigh your career options and try to decide if becoming a psychiatric nurse is a path you want to pursue, you may wonder, “What is the starting salary of a psychiatric nurse?” or, “Is being a psychiatric nurse worth it?” On average, the starting salary of a psychiatric nurse is $32.72 per hour, $1,309 per week, or $5,670 per month. This pay comes to an annual salary of $68,050.

Starting Psychiatric Nurse Salary
Hourly	$32.72
Weekly	$1,309
Monthly	$5,670
Annual	$68,050
(Source: Nursingprocess.org)

What is the Average Salary of a Psychiatric Nurse With Experience?

Once you gain experience and move from an entry-level psychiatric nurse, your income potential increases. Knowing this, you may wonder,“What is the average salary of a psychiatric nurse?” According to our team’s research, the average psychiatric nurse salary in the U.S. is $9,890.

Average Psychiatric Nurse Salary
Hourly	$47.54
Weekly	$1,902
Monthly	$8,240
Annual	$98,890
(Source: Nursingprocess.org)

How Much Does the Psychiatric Nurse Salary Grow by Years of Experience?

One of the main factors that influence the salary of a psychiatric nurse is the amount of work experience they have. For instance, entry-level psychiatric nurses earn an average of $68,050 per year, which equals $32.72 per hour, $1,309 per week, or $5,670 per month. With just five years of experience, annual salaries may increase to as much as $90,240. Psychiatric nurses with 10 to 20 years of experience earn between $112,320 and $143,760 annually.

What is the Average Annual Compensation (Salary + Benefits) for Psychiatric Nurses?

The average annual psychiatric nurse salary is $98,879 for psych nurses working in the private industry and $99,020 for those working in state and local government settings. While these salaries are generous, benefits packages can really boost one's total compensation. For example, psychiatric nurses who work in the private sector typically receive benefits worth $41,371 yearly, making their total compensation $140,241. Psych nurses working in state and local government have benefits packages worth approximately $60,690, which means their total compensation is $150,710 per year!

Psychiatric Nurse vs. All Other Occupations: Who Earns More?

The average psychiatric nurse salary is $98,890 per year. All other occupations earn an average of $61,900. Compared to other occupations, psychiatric nurses earn $36,990 more each year, a difference of 59.76%.

Psychiatric Nurse vs. Similar Nursing Jobs: Who Earns More?

Some nursing specialties, such as neonatal nurses, orthopedic nurses, cardiac nurses, and aesthetic nurses, earn more money than the average psychiatric nurse salaries. These nurses make between $100,240 and $112,290 each year, while psychiatric nurses earn $98,890. Psychiatric nurses earn higher wages than nurses specializing in OB/GYN, surgery, labor and delivery, occupational health, and forensics. Nurses in these specialties earn from $82,570 and $97,270.

Psychiatric Nurse vs. Other Healthcare Jobs: Who Earns More?

The average psychiatric nurse salary, when compared to other healthcare jobs, ranks very well. Psychiatric nurses earn between $550 and $53,890, more than 15 of the 20 most popular healthcare jobs. A few healthcare jobs that make less than psychiatric nurses include respiratory therapists, dental hygienists, emergency medical technicians, and speech-language pathologists. Conversely, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists earn between 19.24% and 51.94% more, with salaries ranging from $122,450 to $205,770.

What is the Average Psychiatric Nurse Salary by State?

(Below, you will find information about the average Psychiatric Nurse salary by state in 2024.)

1. Alabama:

In Alabama, psychiatric nurses earn an average of $74,340 per year. This pay is equal to $35.74 per hour, $1,430 per week, or $6,200 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$35.74	$1,430	$6,200	$74,340

2. Alaska:

The average hourly pay for psychiatric nurses in Alaska is $55.18, which is the equivalent of $2,208 per week, $9,570 per month, or $114,780 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$55.18	$2,207	$9,570	$114,780

3. Arizona:

Psychiatric nurses who work in Arizona make approximately $96,370 per year. This annual salary breaks down to equal $8,030 per month, $1,853 per week, or $46.33 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$46.33	$1,853	$8,030	$96,370

4. Arkansas:

In Arkansas, psychiatric nurses can expect to earn an average of $73,910 annually, equal to $35.53 hourly, $1,421 weekly, or $6,160 monthly.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$35.53	$1,421	$6,160	$73,910

5. California:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in California is one of the highest psychiatric nurse salaries, approximately $148,140 per year. This generous pay is the equivalent of $12,350 per month, $2,849 per week, or $71.22 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$71.22	$2,849	$12,350	$148,140

6. Colorado:

Colorado psychiatric nurses make an average of $46.25 per hour, which comes to $1,850 per week, $8,020 per month, or $96,200 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$46.25	$1,850	$8,020	$96,200

7. Connecticut:

In Connecticut, psychiatric nurses earn approximately $104,720 annually. Thispayequals $50.35 per hour, $2,014 per week, or $8,730 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$50.35	$2,014	$8,730	$104,720

8. Delaware:

Delaware’s psychiatric nurses make an average of $45.41 hourly, which is equivalent to $1,871 weekly, $7,870 monthly, or $94,460 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$45.41	$1,817	$7,870	$94,460

9. Florida:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in Florida is $88,780. This pay breaks down to equal $7,400 per month, $1,707 per week, or $42.68 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$42.68	$1,707	$7,400	$88,780

10. Georgia:

Psychiatric nurses who live and work in Georgia make an average of $45.50 per hour, which is the equivalent of $1,820 per week, $7,890 per month, or $94,630 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$45.50	$1,820	$7,890	$94,630

11. Hawaii:

The average yearly income of psychiatric nurses in Hawaii is $125,790. This pay is equal to $60.48 per hour, $2,419 per week, or $10,480 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$60.48	$2,419	$10,480	$125,790

12. Idaho:

In Idaho, the average psychiatric nurse salary is approximately $87,340 per year. This pay breaks down to $7,280 per month, $1,680 per week, or $41.99 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.99	$1,680	$7,280	$87,340

13. Illinois:

The salary of a psychiatric nurse in Illinois is $91,350 annually, which is the equivalent of $43.92 per hour, $1,757 per week, or $7,610 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.92	$1,757	$7,610	$91,350

14. Indiana:

Indiana psychiatric nurses average an income of $83,970 per year. Thispayequals $40.37 per hour, $1,615 per week, or $7,000 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$40.37	$1,615	$7,000	$83,970

15. Iowa:

Psychiatric nurses who live in Iowa earn approximately $37.05 hourly, $1,482 weekly, or $6,420 monthly, which comes to $77,070 annually.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$37.05	$1,482	$6,420	$77,070

16. Kansas:

In Kansas, the average annual salary of psychiatric nurses is $79,980. Thispayequals $6,670 per month, $1,538 per week, or $38.45 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$38.45	$1,538	$6,670	$79,980

17. Kentucky:

On average, psychiatric nurses in Kentucky make $41.46 per hour, which comes to $1,658 per week, $7,190 per month, or $86,240 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.46	$1,658	$7,190	$86,240

18. Louisiana:

Psychiatric nurses in Louisiana earn an average of $84,350 per year. This annual salary is the equivalent of $40.55 per hour, $1,622 per week, or $7,030 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$40.55	$1,622	$7,030	$84,350

19. Maine:

In Maine, the average psychiatric nurse salary is $86,000 annually, which comes to $7,170 per month, $1,654 per week, or $41.35 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.35	$1,654	$7,170	$86,000

20. Maryland:

Maryland psychiatric nurses make $47.00 per hour, on average, equal to $1,880 per week, $8,150 per month, or $97,760 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$47.00	$1,880	$8,150	$97,760

21. Massachusetts:

The salary for psychiatric nurses in Massachusetts is $115,710 annually. This pay breaks down to equal $9,640 per month, $2,225 per week, or $55.63 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$55.63	$2,225	$9,640	$115,710

22. Michigan:

The average annual salary for psychiatric nurses in Michigan is $89,610, equal to $43.08 per hour, $1,723 per week, or $7,470 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.08	$1,723	$7,470	$89,610

23. Minnesota:

If you work as a psychiatric nurse in Minnesota, you can expect to earn $47.46 per hour, $1,898 per week, or $8,230 per month, which equals $98,720.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$47.46	$1,898	$8,230	$98,720

24. Mississippi:

The average income for psychiatric nurses in Mississippi is $75,470 per year. This salary is equal to $36.28, $1,451 per week, or $6,290 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$36.28	$1,451	$6,290	$75,470

25. Missouri:

Psychiatric nurses in Missouri earn approximately $38.38 per hour, $1,535 per week, or $6,650 per month, which is the equivalent of $79,840 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$38.38	$1,535	$6,650	$79,840

26. Montana:

In Montana, the average annual salary of psychiatric nurses is $87,050, which breaks down to $7,250 per month, $1,674 per week, or $41.85 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.85	$1,674	$7,250	$87,050

27. Nebraska:

The average income for Nebraska’s psychiatric nurses is $81,670 per year. Thispayequals $39.26 per hour, $1,571 per week, or $6,910 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$39.26	$1,571	$6,810	$81,670

28. Nevada:

Psychiatric nurses in Nevada earn an average of $107,000 annually, the equivalent of $8,920 monthly, $2,058 weekly, or $51.44 hourly.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$51.44	$2,058	$8,920	$107,000

29. New Hampshire:

New Hampshire psychiatric nurses make an average of $44.56 per hour, which equals $1,782 per week, $7,720 per month, or $92,680 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$44.56	$1,782	$7,720	$92,680

30. New Jersey:

Psychiatric nurses living and working in New Jersey can expect to earn around $51.36 per hour. This pay comes to a total of $2,065 per week, $8,950 per month, or $107,400 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$51.63	$2,065	$8,950	$107,400

31. New Mexico:

In New Mexico, the average yearly income of psychiatric nurses is $95,080, which is equal to $7,920 per month, $1,828 per week, or $45.71 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$45.71	$1,828	$7,920	$95,080

32. New York:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in New York is $111,240 annually. This pay is the equivalent of $53.48 hourly, $2,139 weekly, or $9,270 monthly.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$53.48	$2,139	$9,270	$111,240

33. North Carolina:

The salary of a psychiatric nurse in North Carolina averages $86,010, which is equal to $7,170 per month, $1,643 per week, or $41.35 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.35	$1,654	$7,170	$86,010

34. North Dakota:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in North Dakota is $40.06 per hour, the equivalent of $1,602 per week, $6,940 per month, or $83,320 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$40.06	$1,602	$6,940	$83,320

35. Ohio:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in Ohio is $87,160 annually. This pay breaks down to $41.90 per hour, $1,676 per week, or $7,260 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.90	$1,676	$7,260	$87,160

36. Oklahoma:

In Oklahoma, psychiatric nurses earn approximately $85,460 per year, equal to $7,120 per month, $1,643 per week, or $41.09 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$41.09	$1,643	$7,120	$85,460

37. Oregon:

Oregon psychiatric nurses make an average of $56.94 per hour, which is equivalent to $2,278 per week, $9,870 per month, or $118,440 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$56.94	$2,278	$9,870	$118,440

38. Pennsylvania:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in Pennsylvania is $89,580 per year. Broken down, thispayequals $43.07 per hour, $1,723 per week, or $7,470 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.07	$1,723	$7,470	$89,580

39. Rhode Island:

Psychiatric nurses in Rhode Island make an average of $98,050 annually, which is the equivalent of $8,170 per month, $1,886 per week, or $47.14 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$47.14	$1,886	$8,170	$98,050

40. South Carolina:

In South Carolina, psychiatric nurses earn approximately $39.70 per hour, which totals $1,588 per week, $6,880 per month, or $82,580 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$39.70	$1,588	$6,880	$82,580

41. South Dakota:

Psychiatric nurses in South Dakota make an average of $71,660 per year. This pay is equal to $34.45 per hour, $1,378 per week, or $5,970 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$34.45	$1,378	$5,970	$71,660

42. Tennessee:

The average pay for psychiatric nurses in Tennessee is $38.72 per hour, $1,549 per week, or $6,710 per month, which adds up to $80,530 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$38.72	$1,549	$6,710	$80,530

43. Texas:

The average psychiatric nurse salary in Texas is $93,680 per year, $7,810 per month, $1,802 per week, or $45.04 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$45.04	$1,802	$7,810	$93,680

44. Utah:

Psychiatric nurses working in Utah earn an average of $84,880 annually. This pay is equal to $40.81 per hour, $1,632 per week, or $7,070 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$40.81	$1,632	$7,070	$84,880

45. Vermont:

In Vermont, psychiatric nurses make approximately $42.73 per hour, which is the equivalent of $1,709 per week, $7,410 per month, or $88,870 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$42.73	$1,709	$7,410	$88,870

46. Virginia:

The average annual salary for psychiatric nurses in Virginia is $90,950, equal to $7,580 monthly, $1,749 per week, or $43.73 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.73	$1,749	$7,580	$90,950

47. Washington:

In Washington, psychiatric nurses earn around $54.31 per hour, which comes to $2,172 per week, $9,410 per month, or $112,960 per year.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$54.31	$2,172	$9,410	$112,960

48. West Virginia:

The salary for psychiatric nurses in West Virginia is $80,250 per year, on average. Thispayequals $6,690 per month, $1,543 per week, or $38.58 per hour.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$38.58	$1,543	$6,690	$80,250

49. Wisconsin:

Psychiatric nurses in Wisconsin earn an average of $89,990 annually, the equivalent of $43.26 per hour, $1,731 per week, or $7,500 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.26	$1,731	$7,500	$89,990

50. Wyoming:

In Wyoming, the annual pay for psychiatric nurses is approximately $90,000. This pay equals $43.27 per hour, $1,731 per week, or $7,500 per month.

Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Annual
$43.27	$1,731	$7,500	$90,000

What is the Average Psychiatric Nurse Salary by City?

Earning potential for psychiatric nurses often varies depending on where you live. Typically, places where there is greater demand for psychiatric nurses and the cost of living is higher offer higher salaries. For example, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Modesto, and Oakland, California, are the cities with the highest psychiatric nurse salaries. In these cities, salaries range from $139,260 to $183,050. On the other hand, cities where the cost of living is lower and there is less demand for nurses specializing in psychiatry pay less. Huntsville, Alabama, Wichita, Kansas, and Des Moines, Iowa, are among the cities where the average psychiatric nurse salary is lowest. In these areas, psychiatric nurses earn between $73,930 and $78,950.

What are the Highest-Paying Workplaces for Psychiatric Nurses?

The setting where you work has a lot to do with your work schedule, job responsibilities, and pay. Hospitals and public mental health jobs pay the highest psychiatric nurse salary.

What are the Highest-Paying States for Psychiatric Nurses?

The states where you will find the highest-paid psychiatric nurses are Connecticut, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Alaska, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, and California. In these states, psychiatric nurses earn between $104,720 and $148,140 annually.

What are the Highest-Paying Cities for Psychiatric Nurses?

The cities with the highest-paid psychiatric nurses in the U.S. are Fresno, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, Stockton, Modesto, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, California. The psychiatric nurse salaries in these cities range from $137,060 to $183,050 annually.

What is the Future Outlook for Psychiatric Nurse Salary?

The future outlook for psychiatric nurse salaries is promising. Some factors that suggest a bright future for psychiatric nurses are more access to mental health services, public awareness of mental health issues, and an aging population that is living longer and requiring medical care. With increased demand for services, increased pay typically follows, which makes this an excellent time to become a psychiatric nurse.

Bonus! 4 Ways Psychiatric Nurses Can Maximize Their Salary

As you research potential psychiatric nurse salaries, you may wonder if there are ways to earn extra money on the side or maximize your earnings at your regular job. There are several ways you can maximize your earning potential as a psychiatric nurse. The following are four ways to help increase your income.

WAY #1: Share Your Knowledge as a Freelance Writer

If you enjoy writing and like the idea of sharing your knowledge and experiences, you can maximize your psychiatric nurse salary by doing some freelance writing. You may write for a blog or website or contribute to a magazine. There really is no limit to the opportunities that are available to freelance writers.

WAY #2: Become a Certified Psychiatric Nurse

Not only is earning a psychiatric nurse certification an excellent way to demonstrate your dedication to the specialty, but it is also a way to highlight your skills and knowledge of psychiatric nursing. Employers know you must demonstrate competence in your specialty to become certified, and they are typically willing to pay more for employees who are certified.

WAY #3: Become a Travel Psychiatric Nurse

Would you love to travel the country (or other countries) but feel your need to work may keep you from doing so? You can actually earn a great income as a psychiatric nurse while exploring new cities, states, or countries by becoming a traveling psychiatric nurse. With a need for nurses worldwide, there are always travel nurse opportunities available that offer excellent pay and other benefits.

WAY #4: Work in an Acute Care Psychiatric Setting

Psychiatric nurses who work in acute care settings often earn higher wages than those who work in non-acute settings. Whether you work prn, part-time, or full-time, you can maximize your earning potential by working in an acute care psychiatric setting.

My Final Thoughts

If you have been considering becoming a psychiatric nurse, you may have wondered, “How much does a psychiatric nurse make?" To answer that question, in this article, I shared the psychiatric nurse salary in 2024 for each of the fifty United States. You also discovered which cities and states pay the most for psychiatric nurses and how to maximize your earning potential. With a nationwide shortage of nurses and a growing demand for psychiatric nursing specialists, this is an excellent time to pursue your goal of becoming a psychiatric nurse.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert

1. On Average, How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make Per Hour?

The psychiatric nurse salary per hour in the United States is $47.54, on average.

Salary Per Hour

$47.54

2. On Average, How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make Per Week?

On average, psychiatric nurses make $1,902 per week.

Salary Per Week

$1,902

3. On Average, How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make Per Month?

The average monthly pay for psychiatric nurses is $8,240.

Salary Per Month

$8,240

4. On Average, How Much Do Psychiatric Nurses Make Per Year?

On average, psychiatric nurses earn $98,890 per year.

Salary Per Year

$98,890

5. What States In The Northeast Pay The Highest Salaries For Psychiatric Nurses?

New York and Massachusetts are the two northeast states with the highest psychiatric nurse salaries. In these states, psychiatric nurses earn $111,240 and $115,710, respectively.

State	Annual Salary
Massachusetts	$115,710
New York	$111,240

6. What States In The Midwest Pay The Highest Salaries For Psychiatric Nurses?

The Midwest states that pay psychiatric nurses the most are Illinois and Minnesota, where psychiatric nurses make between $91,350 and $98,720 annually.

State	Annual Salary
Minnesota	$98,720
Illinois	$91,350

7. What States In The Southeast Pay The Highest Salaries For Psychiatric Nurses?

Virginia and Georgia psychiatric nurses earn more than other states in the Southwest. In these states, the psychiatric nurse salaries are $90,950 and $94,630.

State	Annual Salary
Georgia	$94,630
Virginia	$90,950

8. What States In The Southwest Pay The Highest Salaries For Psychiatric Nurses?

The southwest states that pay the highest psychiatric nurse salaries are New Mexico and Arizona, where salaries are $95,080 and $96,370, respectively.

State	Annual Salary
Arizona	$96,370
New Mexico	$95,080

9. What States In The Western Region Pay The Highest Salaries For Psychiatric Nurses?

In the western region of the United States, psychiatric nurses in Hawaii and California earn the highest salaries. In these states, the salaries are $125,790 and $148,140.

State	Annual Salary
California	$148,140
Hawaii	$125,790