Telemetry Nurse Salary

Telemetry Nurse Salary
Telemetry nurses specialize in the care of patients who require constant cardiac monitoring due to heart conditions or strokes. Patients in telemetry units are continuously observed for cardiac activity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average registered nurse salary in the U.S. is $82,750 annually. Telemetry nurses, however, enjoy higher compensation, with an average salary of $92,076—as reported by PayScale—equivalent to about $44.27 per hour. This hourly wage is approximately 10% greater than the median salary for registered nurses.
It is essential to recognize that this figure represents an average and does not account for variations based on job position, experience, or other relevant criteria. Nursing remains one of the top in-demand careers in the nation, with a projected growth rate of at least 6% from 2021 to 2031. The shortage of qualified professionals in the field contributes to rising salaries and a favorable career outlook.
State-by-State Salary Breakdown
Telemetry nurse salaries vary across states, influenced by local costs of living. For example, states such as California and Hawaii, which have higher living expenses, offer higher salaries compared to states like North Dakota and Mississippi, where the cost of living is lower.
The states offering the highest salaries for telemetry nurses, not accounting for living costs, include:
- California: $124,000
- Hawaii: $106,530
- Oregon: $98,630
- Alaska: $97,230
- Massachusetts: $96,630
When adjusted for living costs, the states that remain at the top for telemetry nurse salaries include California, Oregon, Alaska, Nevada, and Hawaii.
Work Environments for Telemetry Nurses
Telemetry nurses primarily operate in hospital telemetry units or intensive care units (ICUs). They may also work in home healthcare, nursing homes, or outpatient surgical facilities. Their responsibilities include evaluating patients, administering medications, and monitoring health conditions—often involving more critically ill individuals than those in standard med-surg settings. Telemetry nurses particularly focus on cardiac patients and may conduct diagnostic tests such as EKGs and other heart-related assessments.
Learn More About Telemetry Nursing
For more insights into telemetry nursing, refer to helpful resources such as the AACN Fact Sheet on the Nursing Shortage, the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the BLS, and World Population Review’s Cost of Living Index.
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