Med-Surg vs ER Nurse Salary
ER Nurses earn more — a national median of $102,960 vs $93,600, a gap of about $9,360 per year.
Med-Surg Nurse
Specialty estimate$93,600 / yr median
ER Nurse
Specialty estimate$102,960 / yr median
Annual pay, side by side
- Med-Surg NurseSpecialty estimate$93,600$45.00/hr
- ER NurseSpecialty estimate$102,960$49.50/hr
What the difference comes down to
ER nurses are modeled to earn slightly more than med-surg nurses, though both are staff RN roles drawing on the same underlying wage data. The difference comes from the emergency department's trauma acuity, unpredictable patient volume, and shift differentials common in emergency settings. Scope of practice, required education, and autonomy are the biggest drivers of the gap. Use the calculator to personalize either path by your state, experience, and work setting.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled specialty estimate
Med-Surg Nurse is not broken out by BLS. Figures are modeled from the SOC 29-1141 median using a specialty differential of 1.00×, reflecting commonly reported pay differences. Treat as directional, not precise.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Last reviewed June 1, 2025.
Med-Surg vs ER Nurse Salary FAQ
- Do Med-Surg Nurses or ER Nurses earn more?
- ER Nurses earn more, with a national median of about $102,960 a year vs $93,600 for Med-Surg Nurses — a gap of roughly $9,360 per year.
- How big is the pay gap between Med-Surg Nurses and ER Nurses?
- The difference is about $9,360 a year, or roughly 10% more for ER Nurses. It varies by state, experience, setting, and shift — use the calculator to compare both for your own situation.
- Why do ER Nurses earn more than Med-Surg Nurses?
- Both roles are paid on the same registered-nurse base, so the gap comes down to certification, shift differentials, unit acuity, and the local market rather than a separate official wage.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
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