Nurses in general will earn a strong average salary, but geriatric nurses in particular can expect to earn a good salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurses will usually earn between $40,250 and $83,440. Where exactly your salary falls on this scale will depend on a variety of factors, including your level of education, credentials, cost of living, and the setting you choose to work in. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports median annual earnings for a number of settings, including:

• Employment services: $64,260
• General medical and surgical hospitals: $58,550
• Home health care services: $54,190
• Offices of physicians: $53,800
• Nursing care facilities: $52,490

Although the setting in which you work will have a large impact on your level of earning, there are a number of other factors that will make a difference, a few of which are:

• Your level of education: For the most part, more education will generally mean more money. Furthering your education will allow you to earn better credentials, and show that you’re serious as a professional in your field. Taking this extra step will make it possible for you to get access to better opportunities with higher pay.
• How much experience you have: According to PayScale.com, the more experience a geriatric nurse has, the better their pay will be. The difference between a geriatric nurse starting out, and one that has worked in the industry for 20 years or more can be $9,000 or more, so it pays to continue working.
• Where you live: For geriatric nurses, living in a city or town with a large or growing elderly population will make it possible for you to earn a higher salary, as demand for geriatric nurses in the area will be higher than other locations. Additionally, your location can make a difference because of cost of living adjustments, as geriatric nurses living in more expensive areas of the country will earn more.

When considering how much you can potentially earn as a geriatric nurse, or how much you currently should be earning, be sure to keep these factors in mind.