Healthcare Recruiting
Telemetry RN Salary 2026: Stepdown Nurse Pay by State & Hospital Setting
Telemetry RN Salary 2026: Telemetry Nurse Pay by State & Hospital Setting
The average telemetry RN salary in 2026 is $72,000–$88,000/year for staff positions. Telemetry (also called progressive care, cardiac step-down, or PCU) nurses monitor patients on continuous cardiac monitoring who are too stable for the ICU but too high-acuity for a general med-surg floor. With night shift differentials ($6–$12/hr) and weekend premiums, experienced telemetry nurses regularly earn $85,000–$100,000 in total compensation. Travel telemetry RN contracts pay $1,800–$2,400/week — making tele one of the most in-demand travel nursing specialties.
Telemetry RN Salary by State (2026)
| State | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $104,000 | Highest nationally; nurse ratios (4:1 tele), union contracts; Kaiser, Dignity, UCSF |
| Washington | $96,000 | Providence, UW, PeaceHealth; SEIU-represented; Seattle market premium |
| Hawaii | $94,000 | High cost of living premium; Queens Medical Center, Kapiolani |
| Massachusetts | $91,000 | Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel; strong academic market; Boston metro premium |
| New York | $90,000 | NYC hospital systems; NYSNA union; upstate NY significantly lower ($62K–$72K) |
| Nevada | $87,000 | Las Vegas shortage market; Sunrise, Valley, St. Rose; no state income tax |
| Oregon | $85,000 | OHSU, Legacy, PeaceHealth; Portland metro competitive; rural 20% lower |
| Texas | $79,000 | HCA, Baylor, UT Health; no state income tax; DFW/Houston highest in-state; rural TX $60K–$68K |
| Florida | $77,000 | NCH, HCA Florida, AdventHealth, BayCare; high demand in Tampa, Naples, Orlando; no income tax |
| Arizona | $78,000 | Banner, Honor Health, Dignity Health; rapid healthcare growth in Phoenix metro |
| Georgia | $72,000 | Emory, Piedmont, WellStar; Atlanta suburban corridor; sign-on bonuses common |
| Tennessee | $68,000 | Vanderbilt, HCA Nashville; lower base but no state income tax on wages |
Telemetry RN Pay Breakdown: Base + Differentials
| Pay Component | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Hourly Wage (national avg) | $35–$45/hr |
| Night Shift Differential | $6–$12/hr extra |
| Weekend Differential | $4–$8/hr extra |
| Charge Nurse Premium | $3–$6/hr extra |
| PCCN Certification Bonus | $1–$3/hr or $1,500–$3,000/yr lump |
| On-Call / Callback | $5–$8/hr on-call + overtime on callback |
PCCN Certification: The Telemetry RN's Primary Credential
The PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse) credential, offered by AACN, is the standard certification for telemetry and step-down nurses. Requirements: 1,750 hours of direct care in progressive/telemetry care within the past 2 years + passing the PCCN exam. Benefits:
- 5–8% salary increase at most hospital systems (often built into a clinical ladder tier)
- Required for charge nurse and lead tele positions at most Magnet hospitals
- Signals competency in continuous cardiac monitoring, arrhythmia recognition, and intermediate-acuity care management
- Preparation overlaps heavily with CCRN — makes future ICU transition smoother
Travel Telemetry RN Salary 2026
Telemetry is consistently one of the top 5 most-requested travel nursing specialties. A travel tele RN in 2026 can expect:
- Weekly gross pay: $1,800–$2,400 (13-week contracts, 36–40 hr/week)
- Tax-free stipend component: $700–$1,100/week for housing + M&IE (if maintaining a tax home)
- High-demand states: California (highest rates), Nevada, Florida, Arizona, Texas
- Requirements: 1–2 years tele experience, current state license or compact license, BLS + ACLS, arrhythmia recognition competency
Telemetry RN Career Path
Telemetry is a common stepping-stone specialty. Nurses typically progress: Med-Surg → Telemetry → Step-Down PCU → ICU. The cardiac monitoring experience and arrhythmia competency gained in tele directly supports CCRN preparation and ICU transition. Telemetry nurses who earn PCCN and then complete ICU transition programs often see $15K–$25K salary jumps at CCRN attainment.
Data from BLS, AACN PCCN program statistics, and Ava Health placement data. Ranges reflect 25th–75th percentile of 2026 active job postings.
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