School nurses provide health treatment and education to students in the educational setting. In the US, school nurses earn an average annual salary well over $68,000 compared to C$70,000 ($54,464 USD) in Canada and £38,000 ($45,664 USD) in the UK. Those in Australia earn nearly AU$102,000 ($77,114 USD) while annual earnings in New Zealand exceed NZ$85,000 ($58,479 USD). In South Africa, school nurses earn about R273,000 ($19,988 USD) per year and in India, annual salaries top Rs530,000 ($8,229 USD) per year. This guide explores earning potential for school nurses worldwide based on geographic region, work experience, and work setting.
How Much Does a School Nurse Make per Year?
The chart below displays annual and hourly wages school nurses in select countries worldwide.
| School Nurse Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Wage | $33 | C$34 | £19 | AU$49 | NZ$41 | Rs255 | R131 |
| Annual Wage | $68,401 | C$70,084 ($54,464 USD) |
£38,482 ($45,664 USD) |
AU$101,709 ($77,114 USD) |
NZ$85,395 ($58,479 USD) |
Rs530,236 ($8,229 USD) |
R272,942 ($19,988 USD) |
Factors that Influence the School Nurse Salary
Salaries for school nurses vary by geographic region, professional experience, and work setting. The following paragraphs provide information on earning potential and working in a career as a school nurse.
1. Geographic Area
School Nurse Salary in US
In the US, the annual compensation for a school nurse is well over $68,000 per year, or $33 per hour. Those who receive a bonus can earn an average of $1,000 in additional pay. Those who are early in their careers earn an average entry level salary of about $49,000 per year, and with increasing responsibility and experience, annual earnings rise to well over $84,000 annually upon reaching a senior level position.
School Nurse Salary in Canada
School nurses in Canada earn more than C$70,000 per year, or C$34 per hour, plus another C$1,000 in bonus pay. The average entry level salary exceeds C$50,000 per year while senior level pay is well over C$86,000 per year.
School Nurse Salary in UK
The average annual salary for a school nurse in the UK is more than £38,000 with another £600 possible in bonus income. Hourly wage earners receive £19 per hour, on average. Those beginning their careers can expect a starting salary averaging £28,000 per year, increasing to well over £47,000 for those in senior level positions.
School Nurse Salary in Australia
In Australia, school nurses earn nearly AU$102,000 per year while hourly wage earners receive an average of AU$49 per hour. An additional AU$1,500 can be earned in bonus income. As an early career school nurse, the average entry level salary is about AU$73,000 per year compared to AU$126,000 annually for senior level positions.
School Nurse Salary in New Zealand
School nurses in New Zealand see annual earnings in excess of NZ$85,000 per year, plus another NZ$1,300 in bonus income. Hourly wage earners receive NZ$41 per hour, on average. Those early in their careers can expect an average annual salary of more than NZ$61,000 while senior level professionals earn nearly NZ$106,000 per year.
School Nurse Salary in India
As a school nurse in India, average earnings exceed Rs530,000 per year, plus an additional Rs8,000 in bonus pay. Hourly wages average Rs255 per hour. As an entry level employee, the average annual pay is nearly Rs386,000 while senior level professionals earn well over Rs664,000 per year.
School Nurse Salary in South Africa
School nurses in South Africa see annual earnings reach R273,000 and another R4,000 in bonus income. The average hourly wage averages R131 per hour. Entry level school nurses earn more than R197,000 per year compared to their senior level colleagues who earn about R340,000 annually.
2. Experience
Worldwide incomes increase between 71% and 73% with additional work experience. The gap between senior level and entry level pay in the US is about $35,000 per year, equating to an increase of 71%. While earnings in India are on the lower end of the pay scale, annual pay for senior level professionals is about Rs278,000 more per year compared to their entry level counterparts, an increase of 72%.
3. Industry
School nurses work in educational settings that can vary in size, geography, and student demographics. Those who are employed in large school settings may have larger budgets that can support higher salaries compared to smaller schools with smaller budgets. Private schools may offer additional opportunities for bonus income compared to their publicly funded counterparts.
Working Hours
School nurses typically work full-time and follow a schedule that resembles the school hours. They often enjoy the same holiday and break schedules as students, though there may be times when work is needed when school is not in session.
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
School nurses typically receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage and paid time off. Other benefits may include retirement savings plans and allowances for training or conference attendance. Some schools offer bonus income, although these opportunities may be more frequently seen in private schools or larger schools that may have larger budgets.
Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 15% growth rate for registered nurses, including school nurses, through 2026. This is a faster than average rate of growth and is due to an increased need for health education and increase in chronic health conditions. To work as a school nurse, a bachelor’s degree in nursing is required as well as the successful completion of a licensing exam.
Conclusion
School nurses earn good incomes and benefits and bonus packages that are reflective of the level of educational commitment required for this career field. They may receive more paid time off as their work schedule closely resembles that of the school year calendar, including breaks for holidays. Future growth in the nursing field is expected in the coming years, which means sufficient job opportunities are expected for those entering this career field.
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