RNs expected to see big salary bump by 2033 due to nursing demand

Editor's Note

Increasing demand for nurses is driving up salaries for RN in the US, an October 4 Careers of the Future projection reports. According to this research from telecommunications company TollFreeForwarding, RNs are projected to see a pay increase of nearly $13 more per hour by 2033. 

RNs made $33.13 in hourly earnings in 2013, which rose to $45.49 in 2023. That is expected to rise to $74.09 in 2033. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing occupational fields in the country. The US is expected to need an additional 193,100 nurses per year over the next 10 years. 

Nursing school programs declined for the first time in 20 years, which could be one factor driving higher nurses’ salaries as institutions look to fill spots with limited qualified candidates. The report notes that the primary driver for rising nurse salaries is the demand for the job and the number of qualified workers available to fill openings.