Are you wondering what Idaho has to offer to nurses? Do you want the latest data about Idaho’s average registered nurse (RN) salary? This resource guide has information that can help you decide whether working as an RN is the right career choice for you and give you an idea of what wage to expect in the Gem State.
How much do nurses make in Idaho? To start, knowing how much you can earn in each metropolitan area may help you decide where you have better chances of receiving higher compensation. The following chart shows the mean annual and hourly wage per metro area:
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average RN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Idaho (most recent information as of February 2024). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor RNs in Idaho the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
What’s the Average RN Salary in the State of Idaho?
Idaho not only has precious stones and breathtaking landscapes but also an excellent, hardworking registered nurse workforce with an average annual mean wage of $78,610 and an average hourly mean wage of $37.79.
Idaho’s yearly mean wage is around 11.68 percent lower than the national average. Nevertheless, the state’s pay varies due to different factors that we will explain further in this article. The following list shows the typical range of registered nurse wages in Idaho:
- 10th percentile: $61,530
- 25th percentile: $66,930
- 50th percentile: $77,940
- 75th percentile: $84,310
- 90th percentile: $100,440
The percentiles represent the RNs that earn less than the designated amount. For example, 10 percent of RNs earn less than $61,530, and 90 percent earn more.
Cities with Highest-Paying Registered Nursing Jobs in Idaho
If you are wondering which areas offer better compensation for RNs, the Coeur d’Alene area, which encompasses cities like Hayden and Rathdrum, among others, is the area that has the highest nurse salary in the state. However, the hourly payment in other cities may surprise you if you start looking for PRN nursing jobs.
Since you can earn more with per diem jobs, here is a list of cities with direct links to different per diem RN jobs in Idaho:
How Much Do RNs Make per Hour in Idaho?
Registered nurses earn an average of $37.79 per hour in the Gem State. Nonetheless, what you make can vary by various factors, such as specialization, industry, and location.
If you want to increase your income considerably, choosing per diem shifts with Nursa can be an excellent option since this type of job is among the best-paying for RNs. Another way RNs can earn higher annual incomes is by working in certain high-demand specialties, such as Medsurg, TELE, ER, and ICU.
Employment by Area in Idaho
Knowing how much you can earn in Idaho may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment. However, another factor that can affect your career decisions is knowing the employment and location quotient (LQ) in the different areas of the state.
The following chart shows RN employment and LQ by area:
To clarify, the LQ represents the concentration of an industry in an area compared to the national average. An LQ of one represents the national average. Therefore, an LQ above or below one means a higher or lower concentration of RNs in the area than the national average.
Some Cost of Living Considerations in Idaho
Besides knowing how much you can make in the Gem State, understanding the cost of living can inform financial decisions that significantly impact your life, such as budgeting, saving, working overtime, etc.
To cover your basic expenses in Idaho, you typically need to earn $21.33 working full-time if you are single without any children. However, if you live with a partner and only you work, you need to earn $30.11, and if both of you are working, each will need to make $15.05 per hour.
These cost of living considerations don’t cover how much you will need to earn if you have children. Regardless, an RN mean wage allows you to live comfortably in Idaho.
How to Become an RN in Idaho
Are you planning on becoming a nurse—one of the most important decisions in your life? Are you already a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and want to continue your studies to become a registered nurse? If so, Idaho has excellent RN nursing schools and programs to help you conquer your dreams.
For any program you decide to take, you must be sure that the Idaho Board of Nursing or other competent institution approves the program so you don’t have problems later on. After completing the program, you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and complete any other state-specific requirements. Once you meet all the requirements, you can apply for your license. If you want to look up your RN license in Idaho, you can use this tool for license verification.
Per Diem Independent Contractor RN Jobs near You
Are you looking for a job that pays you more than the state’s average for RNs, or dreaming of a job that gives you more flexibility?
If the answer is yes, you are in the right place; finding jobs can sometimes be overwhelming and time-consuming. Nevertheless, some methods can simplify searching for jobs. Nursa is an open market that connects hospitals and other healthcare facilities with clinicians. In this market, you have the key to finding per diem shifts in the Gem State, earning higher hourly wages, and gaining the flexibility to be with your loved ones.
Download Nursa, complete the requirements, and start looking for PRN nursing jobs today.
