A neonatal nurse cares for newborn infants with health or developmental issues. The neonatal nurse salary in the US revolves around $60,321 per year compared to C$71,627 in Canada ($52,942 USD) and £26,950 ($28,548 USD) in UK. Salaries in Australia and New Zealand are similar at AU$62,469 ($46,479 USD) and NZ$63,675 ($44,852 USD), respectively. South Africa and India wages are lowest at R237,089 or $16,810 USD and Rs305,209 or $4,454 USD, respectively.
Salaries for neonatal nurses vary worldwide, with geographic region and professional experience serving as the greatest depending factors.
How Much Does an Neonatal Nurse Make Per Year?
Neonatal nurses typically work in hospitals due to the care they provide to newborn infants. Salaries vary based on geographic region as outlined in this chart.
Factors That Influence Neonatal Nurses’ Salaries
Salary ranges vary worldwide as reported by Payscale.com. Work experience and geographic region have the greatest influence on pay for neonatal nurses while work setting and education have little impact due to the type of care needed to treat infants and the required level of education and training for a career in this field.
1. Geographic Area
Neonatal Nurse Salary in US
Those entering a career as a neonatal nurse in the US can anticipate a starting annual salary of about $40,854. With experience, salaries increase to nearly $100,000 per year, and income peaks late career with those who have 20 years’ or more experience earning the highest levels of pay. There is an opportunity for additional income through bonuses ranging from about $400 to nearly $10,000, and some employers offer profit sharing. Payscale.com reports that geographic location within the US impacts pay. Neonatal nurses in New York earn a median income of $90,764, or 43% more than the national average, and Indianapolis salaries lag behind by 16% with a median income of $53,312.
Neonatal Nurse Salary in Canada
The median salary for a neonatal nurse in Canada is C$71,627 per year. According to neuvoo.ca, the median income for a neonatal nurse is more than two times the median wage of Canada. Entry level professionals earn about $51,000, and incomes increase to over $102,000 with experience.
Neonatal Nurse Salary in UK
A neonatal nurse working in the National Health Service (NHS) of UK earns a salary ranging from £20,847 to £40,204, and the median salary is £26,950. Neuvoo.co.uk reports that the average income is more than double the average income of the country as a whole. While the NHS is often used as a guideline for salaries, neonatal nurses working in non-NHS funded positions have the potential to earn significantly higher salaries with the average surpassing £59,000. While NHS positions are often lower, according to nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk, there are opportunities for possible assistance with course fees and living expenses.
Neonatal nurse Salary in Australia
In Australia, the neonatal nurses earn between AU$42,000 and nearly AU$90,000 per year. Payscale reports that incomes increase rapidly during the first five to 10 years in this career, and then plateaus with additional experience beyond 10 years having little impact on pay.
Neonatal nurse Salary in New Zealand
Neonatal nurses in New Zealand earn a median annual salary of NZ$63,675. According to careers.govt.nz, registered nurses, including neonatal nurses, earn between NZ$47,000 and NZ$68,000 per year during the first five years of their careers. Incomes increase with experience and range from NZ$68,000 to NZ$114,000 per year.
Neonatal nurse Salary in India
The median salary for a neonatal nurse in India is Rs305,209 per year. According to Pauscale, the lower 25% of wage earners in this field earn Rs190,000 annually compared to the upper 75% who have an annual income of Rs910,000. With most neonatal nurses in the country having less than 20 years’ experience, incomes in the upper range are typically received by those with the most experience.
Salaries for Neonatal nurses in South Africa
The annual salary range for neonatal nurses employed in South Africa is between R96,000 and R318,001, resulting in a median salary of R237,089, says Payscale.com. There is potential for another R24,876 through bonuses. Salaries peak mid-career for those with 10 to 20 years’ experience, and additional years of service have little influence on higher pay.
2. Experience
Experience leads to higher incomes worldwide; although in some countries, incomes peak during mid-career. For example, in South Africa, pay peaks at 10 to 20 years’ experience, and the difference between the starting salary and senior level positions is about R222,000, which equates to a 231% increase. India has the highest increase with experience as those at the highest level earn about 379% more than entry level neonatal nurses. In the US where salaries are highest, experience increases income by 136%; and most countries reviewed see a percentage increase of 100% or more.
An undergraduate degree in nursing is required, and most countries require a registry process. For example, in UK, nurses must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and receive clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service and New Zealand requires registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and an annual Practicing Certificate. It is important for an individual to fully understand the specific requirements for employment in his or her country.
3. Industry
Neonatal nurses often work in hospitals due to the type of care required by newborns. The field is female-dominated worldwide. While stress levels can be high at times as life and death decisions are sometimes necessary, those who work in this field report high job satisfaction likely due to the opportunity to care for others and the opportunities for a flexible work schedule and part-time employment.
Working Hours
Neonatal nurses typically work in hospitals providing care 24 hours a day. While full time employment ranges from 37.5 to 40 hours, nurses may work longer shifts, but fewer days, with schedules spanning nights, weekends and holidays. Some on-call hours may also be required. There are opportunities for part-time employment; in fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that one in six nurses work part-time.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
Most positions provide full health benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance. Those who work part-time may not receive benefits. However, with is possibly why 18% of neonatal nurses in the US report they do not receive health benefits. There are some opportunities for bonus pay, while profit sharing is less common, and some employers offer allowances for required continuing medical education. In UK, some NHS positions offer assistance with educational and living expenses.
Job Outlook
Experts believe job growth will remain strong for neonatal nurses in the coming years. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 16% increase in job growth for all registered nurses, and a 31% increase among neonatal nurses specifically. Neonatal nursing is on the occupational shortage list in UK and demand is expected to increase.
Conclusion
A career as a neonatal nurse provides stable income as well as flexibility and strong future job growth. While stress levels can be high at times due to caring for newborns with health issues, those in this career report high job satisfaction.