The statistics show that the average Registered Nurse salary in Georgia is $27.03 an hour or about $56,000 a year for 40 hours a week. There are bonuses and incentives negotiated by your employer, especially because you’re dealing with thousands of patients’ lives every day. The bonuses usually include health insurance coverage, retirement plans, and other perks.
Introduction
Georgia is one of the lower paying states for registered nurses. The registered nurse salary in Georgia is $69,590 per year. This means that nurses in Georgia earn an average of $33.36 per hour. On the other hand, the national average for registered nurses is $77,460 per year. This annual salary is approximately $37.24 per hour.
Highest Paying Cities in Georgia For Travel Nurses
Average gross weekly nurse pay in the top cities/wider metro area
- Toccoa – $5,059
- Thomasville – $4,176
- Columbus – $3,929
- Jasper – $3,614
- East Point – $3,601
- Perry – $3,572
- Douglasville – $3,568
- Marietta – $3,534
- Hiram – $3,521
- Roswell – $3,521
(Trusted Health Data)
Highest Paying Cities in Georgia For Registered Nurses
Average annual nurse salary in the following cities/wider metro areas
- Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Roswell – $73,610
- Hinesville – $69,900
- Augusta/Richmond County (GA-SC) – $69,400
- Athens/Clarke County – $68,590
- Macon – $67,010
- Rome – $66,690
- Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area – $65,430
- Warner Robins – $64,980
- Savannah – $64,060
- Valdosta – $63,590
Highest Paying Nurse Specialties in
Georgia
Average annual nurse salary for the following nurse specialties
- Med/Surg Nurse – $94,095 (Range of $85,125 – $104,824)
- Progressive Care Nurse – $83,888 (Range of $73,843 – $95,099)
- Operating Room Nurse – $76,303 (Range of $68,461 – $84,351)
- Emergency Nurse – $74,235 (Range of $66,291 – $82,454)
- ICU Nurse – $73,738 (Range of $66,438 – $80,134)
- Labor and Delivery Nurse – $71,700 (Range of $65,200 – $81,100)
- Pediatric Nurse – $70,100 (Range of $63,600 – $80,300)
Cost of Living Georgia
Although nurse salaries in Georgia may be 10% lower than the national average, living in Georgia is more affordable. Georgia ranks below the national cost of living index. While your nursing salary may be lower, the cost of rent alone may make up for it. For more detailed cost of living by city.
Job Growth for Nurses in Georgia
Georgia is a popular destination for staff and travel nurses alike. In 2018, Georgia was home to more than 77,460 nurses.
However, Georgia has a strong job outlook, as the number of nurses in Georgia is expected to grow. Registered nurse jobs are forecasted to grow by more than 23% between 2018 and 2028, bringing the total number of working nurses in Georgia to more than 94,880.
Registered nurses in Georgia earn an average of $19.52 per hour, which is a little more than the national average of $18.68 per hour. The state’s registered nurses have been working for just over 20 years, but those who have been working in the field for five years or less make $14.26 per hour on average. Registered nurses with 10 to 19 years of experience earn $19.59 per hour and those with 20+ years of experience make $20.29 per hour.
Conclusion
The average salary for a registered nurse in the state of Georgia is between $31,000 and $50,000 dollars per year. The specialized field of registered nursing gives the possibility of higher salaries with experience and education. There are also many benefits offered including excellent healthcare coverage, paid sick time, and paid vacation time.