Nurse Pay Calculator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate real nurse pay — the stack no generic calculator handles: base + night differential + weekend differential + charge/preceptor premiums + certification pay, across 12-hour shifts with their OT quirks.
Quick answer: A $42 base RN on nights (+$5) and weekends (+$4), charging (+$2.50): $53.50/hour effective — 27% above base, ~$23,000/year of differentials on three 12s a week. Stack yours below.
The Nursing Pay Stack
| Component | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Night differential (evenings/NOC) | $3-8/hr or 10-20% |
| Weekend differential | $2-6/hr (weekend-program rates far higher) |
| Charge nurse premium | $1.50-4/hr while charging |
| Preceptor pay | $1-3/hr with an orientee |
| Certification pay (CCRN, CEN...) | $0.50-2/hr or annual bonuses |
| Float/critical-staffing incentives | $5-25/hr in shortages |
Differentials typically ADD (base + night + weekend together on a Saturday NOC) — and they fold into the regular rate for OT, so overtime on a differential-heavy shift multiplies the stacked rate, not the base.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — full-time nights. $42 + $5 nights, 3×12s with one weekend shift averaging +$1.33: effective ~$48.30 → ~$90,400/year at 36 hours — $11k above the day-shift twin.
Example 2 — the 12-hour OT quirk. Three 12s = 36 hrs: no federal OT. The 4th shift = 48 hrs → 8 OT hours at 1.5 × the stacked rate. California: daily OT applies past 8 unless the unit runs a valid alternative workweek — most hospitals do; verify yours.
Example 3 — weekend program. Baylor-style plans pay 36 hours for 24 weekend hours (or $10-15 differentials) — convert to effective hourly before judging: 24 hrs paid as 36 at $42 = $63/hr worked.
Offer-Comparison Discipline
Hospitals quote BASE; your life runs on EFFECTIVE. Compare: (base + your real shift-mix differentials) × realistic hours + bonuses — a $45 base with $2 nights loses to $41 with $8 for a NOC nurse. Watch: mandatory rotating (kills the night premium you planned), differential eligibility windows (some start 7 PM, some 11 PM), and float-pool rates vs unit rates. Travel contracts: the stipend math is a different animal entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do shift differentials add to nurse pay?
Nights $3-8/hr, weekends $2-6, charge $1.50-4, certifications $0.50-2 — a full-stack NOC weekend charge shift commonly runs 25-35% above base.
Do differentials count in overtime?
Yes — they enter the regular rate, so OT pays 1.5× the stacked rate; base-only OT on differential shifts is an underpayment.
How does overtime work on 12-hour shifts?
Federal: weekly 40 trigger (3×12 = none; the 4th shift brings 8 OT hours). California: daily OT past 8 unless a valid alternative workweek agreement covers the unit.
What is a Baylor/weekend program?
Premium plans paying ~36 hours for 24 weekend hours (or large flat differentials) — compute the effective hourly to compare against standard schedules.
How should I compare nursing job offers?
Effective rate = base + YOUR shift-mix differentials, × realistic hours + bonuses — never compare bases alone; the differential sheet is the real offer.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026