Registered nurses (RNs) in Arizona interact with diverse patients in many settings. RN salaries can be quite diverse as well. Find the average RN wage in your city in the table below:
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 Arizona (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor RNs in Arizona 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 Arizona?
The following table displays the mean hourly and annual RN wages in Arizona and nationwide:
Arizona’s pay is lower than the national average for RNs, but the difference is not significant. Nevertheless, Arizona has many opportunities for nurses to work per diem or PRN jobs, thus improving overall hourly earnings. Furthermore, RNs who work in acute care specialties, such as MedSurg, ER, ICU, and TELE usually earn a higher annual income.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides information on the variation in RN wages in Arizona, as observed in the following percentiles:
- 90th percentile: $105,520
- 75th percentile: $98,380
- 50th percentile: $82,330
- 25th percentile: $77,570
- 10th percentile: $66,040
In this income range, RNs can see that the top percentile is $105,520 per year, indicating that 90 percent earn below this figure, and only 10 percent earn above this figure.
Accordingly, 80 percent of registered nurses have an annual income typically between $66,040 and $105,520.
How Can I Earn More as an RN in Arizona?
Many factors influence RN earnings. For example, some factors that significantly impact the hourly rate of registered nurses are the following:
- Location: It is different to work in a big city—where the cost of living is high—than in a small town. Therefore, earnings can vary according to geographic location.
- Specialization: For RNs, having experience working in specialized units like the emergency room (ER) or the intensive care unit (ICU) can make hourly pay vary significantly.
One of the best ways to earn more per hour is through PRN jobs. In addition to offering higher-than-average wages, PRN jobs offer RNs the possibility of choosing their shifts and constantly changing locations and workspaces to get more variety in their work. Picking up per diem RN jobs in Arizona is easy through Nursa.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Arizona?
Arizona’s average registered nurse wage typically ranges from $66,040 to $105,520. In contrast, nationally, the average registered nurse wage ranges usually from $61,250 to $129,400.
The registered nurse income in Arizona is higher than that of Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. However, it is lower than that of California and Nevada.
How Much Do RNs Make per Hour in Arizona?
In Arizona, the mean hourly wage for RNs is $41.70. Of course, the hourly wage varies from location to location, ranging from $43.11 per hour in some areas to $37.37 per hour in others. Thus, some areas of Arizona exceed the national average wage of $42.80 per hour, while others have a lower average. Below is a list of some of the highest-paying cities in Arizona:
- Peoria
- Prescott Valley
- Prescott
- Flagstaff
- Ash Fork
- Gilbert
- Goodyear
- Phoenix
- Chandler
- Mesa
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Sun City West
What is the Average Cost of Living in Arizona?
Ideally, the cost of living should not exceed an RN’s income so that nurses can live comfortably. The following table reflects some cost of living considerations for Arizona in different situations:
Data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator (Most recent information as of October 2023)
The average hourly RN wage in Arizona is higher than the living wage required to support the previous types of households. This information may give Arizona RNs peace of mind regarding their potential income compared to typical expenses. However, they can also supplement their income with PRN shifts.
Employment of RNs in Arizona
The BLS calculates the number of registered nurses working in a given area—in this case, the state of Arizona—and compares it to the number of RNs working nationally. This comparison is known as the location quotient, and in Arizona, this figure is 0.89, indicating a lower concentration of RNs working in Arizona than the national average. The number of RNs per 1,000 jobs is 18.48 in Arizona. Finally, the total number of registered nurses in Arizona is 56,040.
How to Become an RN in Arizona?
To become an RN in Arizona, applicants generally must complete a two-year accredited nursing program leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Once completed, applicants must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and apply for state licensure through the Arizona Board of Nursing (with certain considerations). The license is suitable for work throughout Arizona, meaning that nurses can move to different cities to look for RN jobs throughout the state. Be sure to confirm the exact requirements within the state as some exceptions may apply. If you are already an RN and are looking for a license verification tool, you can check the status of your license through the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
Fortunately, there are many accredited RN nursing schools in Arizona, including the following:
- Northern Arizona University
- Arizona College of Nursing
- Arizona State University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Phoenix
How to Find Per Diem Independent Contractor RN Jobs in Arizona
Knowing how much you can earn in Arizona may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment.
Picking up PRN jobs in Arizona has never been easier than with the help of Nursa. Arizona registered nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are finding per diem jobs quickly and easily through Nursa’s open marketplace for clinicians and healthcare facilities. Nursa helps facilities cover gaps in coverage while connecting RNs with high-paying jobs in their area.
