School nurse salary
BLS does not publish a school-nurse occupation. In May 2024, the Occupational Outlook Handbook median for registered nurses in educational services was $74,360, compared with $97,260 in hospitals.
Updated August 2026 · Verified August 13, 2026 · Next review November 13, 2026 · OOH May 2024 industry wages · RN SOC 29-1141
Ready when you are
Your benchmark will appear here
Enter school-nurse base pay. The 43-week default is a labeled school-year model. Percentile placement uses national RN thresholds because there is no school-nurse SOC.
School-year hours change annual pay. Browse roles that match the calendar.
After you annualize a 10-month schedule, look at school, district, and clinic openings that fit your license.
Unique industry table
RN industry medians (May 2024 OOH)
These are Occupational Outlook Handbook industry medians for registered nurses, May 2024 — not May 2025 OEWS national percentiles, and not a school-nurse specialty wage.
| Industry | Median annual | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $106,480 | May 2024 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $97,260 | May 2024 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $83,780 | May 2024 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $81,820 | May 2024 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $74,360 | May 2024 |
Labeled conversion
10-month school-year model
Hourly × hours × weeks. This is not a BLS annual wage. BLS annualizes full-time as 2,080 hours.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Educational-services median (May 2024) | $74,360 |
| Hourly equivalent (annual ÷ 2,080) | $35.75 |
| Model hours × weeks | 40 × 43 |
| 10-month product (not a BLS annual) | $61,490 |
Same SOC, different industry
Educational services vs hospital RN pay
Both columns are registered nurses (SOC 29-1141). The gap is an industry median from May 2024 OOH, not a school-nurse specialty premium.
| Topic | Educational services RN | Hospital RN |
|---|---|---|
| Industry median (May 2024 OOH) | $74,360 | $97,260 |
| BLS occupation | Registered Nurses (29-1141) in educational services | Registered Nurses (29-1141) in hospitals |
| Schedule note | Many school nurses work a school-year calendar. Convert hourly × hours × weeks; do not treat that product as a BLS annual. | Hospital RNs are more often year-round, including nights, weekends, and holidays. |
Primary sources
BLS OOH and OEWS technical notes
May 2025 national RN median $97,550 is a later series and is labeled separately.
- BLS OOH registered nurses (Pay tab) — May 2024 industry medians, retrieved 2026-08-13
- BLS OEWS technical notes — 2,080-hour full-time year used for annualization
- BLS OEWS registered nurses 29-1141 — May 2025 national percentiles for the calculator
Common questions
School nurse salary FAQ
How much do school nurses make?
BLS does not publish a school-nurse occupation. The closest official figure is the May 2024 OOH median for registered nurses in educational services: $74,360. Hospital RNs had a $97,260 industry median in the same table.
Is the 10-month number a BLS annual wage?
No. BLS annualizes full-time wages using 2,080 hours. The 10-month figure on this page is the educational-services hourly equivalent (35.75 from the May 2024 annual) × 40 hours × 43 weeks = $61,490. It is a labeled model, not an OEWS annual.
Why does the calculator default to 43 weeks?
That default is a labeled school-year model (about 10 months). Change hours and weeks to match your contract. The percentile comparison still uses May 2025 national RN (SOC 29-1141) thresholds, not a school-nurse series.
Should I compare myself with the May 2025 RN median?
You can. The national RN median was $97,550 in May 2025. That series is a year later than the May 2024 industry table and is labeled separately.
Are school nurses paid on the nurse educator table?
Usually no. Postsecondary nursing instructors are SOC 25-1072. School nurses are typically registered nurses working in educational services (SOC 29-1141).
Does this include summer pay or stipends?
No. Enter base pay only. District calendars, extra duty, and benefits are outside BLS industry medians.
Related salary tools
Compare a different nursing pay question
CRNA nurse salary calculator
Compare CRNA / nurse anesthetist base pay with May 2025 BLS wages and state medians.
SOC 29-1151 · BLS OEWS
Nurse educator salary calculator
Compare postsecondary nurse educator pay with May 2025 BLS SOC 25-1072 percentiles. Hospital educators stay on the RN table.
SOC 25-1072 · BLS OEWS
Labor and delivery nurse salary
RN pay context plus California Title 22 perinatal staffing ratios. BLS does not publish an L&D wage.
SOC 29-1141 · Title 22
Best states for nurses
Rank 50-state RN medians after BEA 2024 price parities, plus compact status and sourced hospital staffing laws. No metro COL or invented tax rates.
OEWS · BEA RPP · NLC · staffing laws