The nurse salary calculator combines base RN pay, shift differential, and overtime into one weekly and annual nursing income estimate — with a travel nurse comparison.
✅Base + differential + OT
✈Travel nurse comparison
🗺All 50 states
nurse salary calculatorRN salaryshift differentialnursing overtimetravel nurse payregistered nurse incomenurse pay by state
Nurse Pay Details
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Extra for nights, weekends, holidays (typically $2–$15/hr)
The nurse salary calculator combines three income components: (1) base RN hourly rate, (2) shift differential pay for nights, weekends, and holidays, and (3) nursing overtime at 1.5× the combined rate for hours over 40 per week. The result is a precise weekly and annual nursing salary estimate. Enter your numbers above and the nurse salary calculator updates immediately — no sign-up required.
Nursing Shift Differentials
Evening shift (3pm–11pm): Typically $2–$5/hr extra
Night shift (11pm–7am): Usually $3–$8/hr extra
Weekend differential: Often $4–$10/hr for Saturday and Sunday
Holiday rate: 1.5×–2× base rate for major holidays
Charge nurse differential: $1–$5/hr for serving as charge
RN Salary by State
The nurse salary calculator works for any state, but pay rates vary widely. Highest-paying states: California ($124,000+ average annual salary), Oregon ($106,000), Alaska ($105,000), Hawaii ($104,000), and Washington ($97,000). However, cost of living and state taxes significantly affect purchasing power — use our salary after tax calculator to see your nursing take-home pay by state. Travel nurses can earn 20–35% more in total compensation according to our nurse salary calculator estimates, primarily through tax-free housing and meal stipends.
Frequently Asked Questions
The nurse salary calculator applies overtime at 1.5× the combined rate (base + shift differential) for hours over 40/week per FLSA. If you work 36hrs/week, no overtime applies to scheduled hours. Any additional overtime hours you enter are calculated at (base + differential) × 1.5.
Yes — per FLSA, shift differentials must be included in the "regular rate of pay" when calculating overtime. The nurse salary calculator correctly uses (base + differential) × 1.5 for overtime, not just the base rate × 1.5.
Travel nurses receive tax-free stipends for housing ($1,500–$3,000/month) and meals ($200–$500/month) in addition to a taxable hourly wage. The nurse salary calculator estimates travel income at +28% over staff salary, reflecting these combined benefits.
Highest-paying nursing specialties: CRNA ($200,000+), Nurse Practitioner ($120,000+), Certified Nurse Midwife ($115,000+), ICU/Critical Care RN ($90,000+), ER RN ($85,000+). Specialty differentials can add $5–$20/hr to the base rates you enter in the nurse salary calculator.
