Highest Paying Countries for Nurses: Nursing practitioners or simply put nurses, are highly trained medical personnel that play major roles in the delivery of health care services. Their primary role is to provide care for patients by managing physical needs, preventing illness as well as treating health conditions.
In addition to care-giving, nurses’ role since the advent of modern medicine encompasses patient advocacy, planning of care, patient education and support, researching, to mention but a few.
In this piece, we will list 10 Highest Paying Countries for Nurses. This list was made after careful analysis of the average salaries of nurses across several countries from the Economic Research Institute (ERI). Here is a list countries who pay their nursing professionals high.
See Also: 20 Inexpensive Medical Schools in the UK and Scholarships for International Students
List of Highest Paying Countries for Nurses
1. Luxembourg (97,857 USD)
The well-structured healthcare system of Luxembourg ensures steady demand for nurses especially in specialized and geriatric care. The high living standard together with competitive salaries, presents a lucrative and rewarding professional outlook for nurses. With continuous effort to develop and maintain the high standard of health care delivery as well as innovation in health care, nurses find opportunities to contribute their quota and also advance their career.
Currently topping the list as the highest-paid country in the world for nurses, this tiny country in Western Europe pays its nurses very well. The nurse salary in Luxembourg is €89,250 per year. Entry-level positions start at € 40,250 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 89,250 per year (97,857.80 USD).
2. Switzerland (Salary: 93,971 USD)
Switzerland ranks number one in the list of highest paying countries for nursing practitioners. With an average of 18 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants in 2019, Switzerland can be said to double the OECD average. This number is as a result of better remuneration, good working environment and high staff morale.
The average nurse salary in Switzerland is CHF 82’401 per year or CHF 42.26 per hour. Entry-level positions start at CHF 64’575 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 101’187 per year.
3. Denmark (89,419 USD)
Denmark is known for being the top country for dentists because of its high reward system for medical practitioners and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. With competitive salaries together with a strong healthcare system, nursing practitioners are attracted to the country which supports a stable foundation for career advancement and good working conditions.
A Registered Nurse working in Denmark will typically earn around 398,300 DKK per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 207,700 DKK to the highest average salary of 608,500 DKK (89,419.24 USD).
4. United Arab Emirates (86,759 USD)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a popular destination for nursing professionals with certificates that are internationally recognized having a BSc in Nursing and DHA registration. Nurses with these credentials can practice in UAE which boasts of high medical standards offering professionals gratifying experiences, flexible work schedules and attractive compensation, making it one of the best country of choice for nurses.
The average pay for a Registered Nurse is AED 261,811 a year and AED 126 an hour in United Arab Emirates. The average salary range for a Registered Nurse is between AED 182,482 and AED 318,624. On average, a Bachelor’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse. This compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in United Arab Emirates.
5. Australia (79,550 USD)
Nursing is a highly rated and well-respected profession. There are close to 300,000 nurses in Australia, a figure which is expected to grow in the coming years. It is also believed that as technology evolves, nursing will become one of (if not the) most in demand profession per capita, as it not a position that can be easily replaced by digital solutions. Many people turn to nursing because it is a challenging and rewarding career. Some are also attracted to this profession for the flexibility, and the stable income it provides.
The average registered nurse salary in Australia is around $79,550 per year (about $41,00 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $76,063 per year upto $97,568 per year. On top of your salary, you will also receive a minimum of 4 weeks paid annual leave and superannuation (10,5% from 1 July 2022).
6. United States of America (75,387 USD)
In the United States of America, nurses are one of the most sought after professions because of the central role it plays in healthcare delivery. The remuneration and living standard in the United States contribute to the high influx of nursing professionals into the country.
The average registered nurse salary in the USA is $75,387 per year or $36.24 per hour. Entry level positions start at $54,879 per year while most experienced workers make up to $118,793 per year.
7. Netherlands (73,029 USD)
The average pay for a Registered Nurse is €66,591 a year and €32 an hour in Netherlands. The average salary range for a Registered Nurse is between €46,414 and €81,041. On average, a Bachelor’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse. This compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Netherlands.
8. Canada (72,729 USD)
Nurses are integral to Canada’s robust healthcare system as nurses are in high demand in most provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba. With universal healthcare and proximity to the United States, Canada is a prime location for nurses interested in trying International Nursing. Furthermore, English as the primary language adds to the ease of transitioning to another country.
The average nurse salary in Canada is $72,729 per year or $37.30 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $58,498 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $87,753 per year.
9. Norway (71,848 USD)
The average pay for a Registered Nurse is NOK 749,176 a year and NOK 360 an hour in Norway. The average salary range for a Registered Nurse is between NOK 522,176 and NOK 911,747. On average, a Bachelor’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse.
10. Germany (69,981 USD)
Nurses in Germany are able to live and work in under fair conditions owing to the excellent working environment and living standard offered by the country to encourage and support health workers to put in their best. The salaries of nurses in Germany also compares favourably with those of their counterparts in other countries.
For instance, an entry-level Registered Nurse in Germany with less than 1 year of experience can expect to earn an average annual salary (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of 63,859 euros.