Neonatal Nurse Salary In The USA 2025- Research | Wage By States & Experience
By: Jack Riley
Last Updated: 24/08/2025
If you’re planning to become a Neonatal Nurse in the U.S., it’s helpful to know what kind of pay to expect. The average Neonatal Nurse salary in 2025 is around $116,000 per year, which shows there is little difference between nurse practitioner salary and neonatal nurse wage.
But it varies depending on the state, experience, and certifications like neonatal resuscitation certification. States like California and New York offer some of the highest Neonatal Nurse wages.
Neonatal Nurse Average Salary (2025)
Based on current national data in the USA
Hourly
$54.81
Weekly
$2,192
Monthly
$9,500
Yearly
$114,000
Whether you’re interested in travel nurse neonatal Charlotte NC jobs or want to celebrate Neonatal Nurses Day and Neonatal Nurses Week, this guide has it all. We also touch on unique topics like neonatal immersion photography, sorin ravenous neonate, and even how a neonatal flow meter should be pre-set. Plus, if you’re curious about Neonatal Nurse salary California or CPAP use (like continuous positive airway pressure in neonates), you’ll find that here too.
What is a Neonatal Nurse?
A Neonatal Nurse is a type of nurse who takes care of newborn babies, especially those who are born early, too small, or have health problems.
They work in a special hospital unit called the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Their responsibility & job is to monitor, treat, and support and take care of the newborns during their first few days or weeks of life.
How much does a Neonatal Nurse make?
In 2025, a Neonatal Nurse wage in the U.S. will be between $74,000 and $120,000 per year, depending on how much experience they have and where they work.
Here’s a simple look:
| Experience | Yearly Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Just Starting (0–2 yrs) | $74,000 – $85,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | $85,000 – $100,000 |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | $100,000 – $120,000+ |
Check the Neonatal Nurse salary in every State of the US in 2025
High-Paying States (Above $125,000/year)
In these States Neonatal Nurse Salary is above than $125,000/year.
| State | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $141,334 |
| Vermont | $138,901 |
| California | $136,424 |
| Maine | $132,483 |
| Idaho | $131,062 |
| Washington | $130,039 |
| Pennsylvania | $129,441 |
| Massachusetts | $127,858 |
| Alaska | $127,048 |
| New Jersey | $126,578 |
| New Hampshire | $126,278 |
| Oregon | $125,598 |
| North Dakota | $125,473 |
Median-Paying States ($110,000 – $124,999/year)
These states offer moderate Neonatal Nurse wages.
| State | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $124,670 |
| Wyoming | $123,552 |
| Hawaii | $123,091 |
| Colorado | $122,427 |
| Indiana | $121,388 |
| Nevada | $120,129 |
| New Mexico | $119,795 |
| Minnesota | $119,628 |
| Arizona | $118,878 |
| South Dakota | $118,585 |
| Montana | $117,087 |
| Ohio | $116,510 |
| Rhode Island | $116,334 |
| Delaware | $116,118 |
| Alabama | $115,625 |
| Virginia | $114,857 |
| Connecticut | $114,063 |
| Iowa | $113,848 |
| Illinois | $112,984 |
| Mississippi | $112,833 |
| Maryland | $112,559 |
| Tennessee | $111,237 |
| Utah | $110,952 |
| Nebraska | $110,458 |
Low-Paying States (Below $110,000/year)
These states offer the lowest average Neonatal Nurse wage.
| State | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Missouri | $108,980 |
| South Carolina | $107,877 |
| Georgia | $107,713 |
| Oklahoma | $106,969 |
| Texas | $106,829 |
| Kansas | $106,224 |
| North Carolina | $105,650 |
| Louisiana | $104,445 |
| Kentucky | $101,483 |
| Michigan | $101,442 |
| West Virginia | $99,969 |
| Arkansas | $96,412 |
| Florida | $95,325 |
How to become a Neonatal Nurse?
Want to become a Neonatal Nurse? Here’s an easy step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Go to nursing school and get your ADN (Associate Degree) or BSN (Bachelor’s Degree). Then, pass the NCLEX-RN test to become a licensed nurse.
Step 2: Get Experience
Start working in a hospital, especially in pediatrics or maternity units. This helps you learn how to care for babies.
Step 3: Apply for NICU Jobs
Once you’ve got some experience, look for jobs in the NICU. Some hospitals also train new nurses for this.
Step 4: Get Certified (Optional)
You can get a special certificate to show you’re trained in neonatal care. It’s not required, but it can help you earn more money.
Neonatal Stethoscope
Top 10 Schools in the US to Become a Neonatal Nurse
- University of Pennsylvania
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (215) 898-8281
- Website: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu
- Vanderbilt University
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (615) 322-4400
- Website: https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu
- University of Florida
- Program: DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (352) 273-6400
- Website: https://nursing.ufl.edu
- Duke University
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (919) 684-3786
- Website: https://nursing.duke.edu
- Rush University
- Program: DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (312) 942-7100
- Website: https://www.rushu.rush.edu
- University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (409) 772-8224
- Website: https://www.utmb.edu/nursing
- Case Western Reserve University
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (216) 368-2529
- Website: https://nursing.case.edu
- University of Arizona
- Program: DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (520) 626-6154
- Website: https://www.nursing.arizona.edu
- University of Connecticut
- Program: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MSN & DNP)
- Contact: (860) 486-3716
- Website: https://nursing.uconn.edu
- Stony Brook University (SUNY)
- Program: MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Contact: (631) 444-3200
- Website: https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu
