Chief Nursing Officer Salary Guide

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Average Chief Nursing Officer Salary

$48.34/hour

The average salary for a Chief Nursing Officer is $48.34 per hour. This is 4% lower than the nursing US average of $50.24.

Last updated on October 2, 2026. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Salaries for Chief Nursing Officer compared to Registered Nurse National Averages

$48.34/hour

4% lower than the nursing US average.

$50.24/hour

United States

Where do Chief Nursing Officers get paid the most?

Massachusetts pays Chief Nursing Officers the most, averaging $72 per hour, followed by Minnesota ($58) and Virginia ($53). Massachusetts also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $87. For comparison, the national average for Chief Nursing Officers is $48 per hour — Massachusetts pays 50% more.

State	Average Hourly Salary	Max Hourly Salary
Massachusetts	$72	$87
Minnesota	$58	$65
Virginia	$53	$59
Pennsylvania	$50	$55
Georgia	$48	$53
Iowa	$46	$50
West Virginia	$42	$47

What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Chief Nursing Officer jobs?

Only Perm Staff Jobs reports pay data for Chief Nursing Officers, averaging $41 per hour. Perm Staff Jobs also has the highest ceiling, with max hourly pay reaching $49. For comparison, the national average for Chief Nursing Officers is $48 per hour — Perm Staff Jobs pays 14% less.

	Average Hourly Salary	Max Hourly Salary
Perm Staff Jobs	$41	$49

Last updated on October 2, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com and pay data from BLS and around the web.

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