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Survey: Gender Pay Gap Among Nurses Widens

Analysis  |  By Son Hoang  
   November 11, 2020

The survey also revealed an underrepresentation of Hispanic and Black nurses in comparison to U.S. Census data.

Although the average annual salary for registered nurses (RN) has increased, the gender pay gap between males and females has also increased to nearly $7,300 annually, according to the 2020 Nurse Salary Research Report, conducted by Nurse.com and Relias.

The report, which was based on survey results more than 7,400 nursing professions nationwide, found that the average annual salary for RNs rose by $1,630 since 2018.

However, not only did male RNs continue to make more than their female counterparts, but the pay gap also grew by nearly $700 since 2018.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), and licensed vocational nurses (LVN) also participated in the survey but no statistical difference was found between the salaries of males and females.

The report also examined demographic data and found an underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic nurses when compared to the 2010 U.S. Census data.

For example, 11% of APRNs, 11% of LPNs/LVNs, and 9% of RNs are Black, compared to 13% of the U.S. population who are Black.

Meanwhile, although 18% of the U.S. population is Hispanic, only 8% of APRNs, 7% of LPNs/LVNs, and 6% of RNs are Hispanic.


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