2 answers
Camryn
Student
Laurinburg, North Carolina
4
Questions
Updated
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How much does a neonatal make an hour?
I'm interested in becoming a neonatal. #medicine #health #salary #neonatal #financial-planning
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2 answers
Jean Noel Sanchez
Developer/Data Analyst
74
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jean Noel’s Answer
Hi - Hourly pay for neonatal care depends on the **specific medical role** you choose, as "neonatal" refers to the field of newborn medical care rather than a single job title.
The breakdown of hourly rates across the three primary clinical roles in neonatal care highlights the differences in pay, training requirements, and responsibilities:
| Role | Average Hourly Pay | Pay Range | Education Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (NICU RN)** | **$45 - $52 / hr** | $37 – $77+ / hr | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
| **Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)** | **$61 - $72 / hr** | $48 – $80+ / hr | Master's (MSN) or Doctorate (DNP) |
| **Neonatologist (Medical Doctor)** | **$120 - $180+ / hr** | Equivalent to $250k–$380k+/yr | Medical School (MD/DO) + Residency + Fellowship |
---
### Factors That Impact Hourly Pay
1. **Location:** High-cost-of-living states pay significantly more. For example, NICU nurses in California average **$66 to $83/hr**, whereas roles in lower-cost states average **$35 to $45/hr**.
2. **Shift Differentials:** Neonatal care in intensive care units (NICUs) operates 24/7. Working night shifts, weekends, or holidays typically adds **$3 to $8 per hour** on top of base pay.
3. **Experience & Certifications:** Earning specialized credentials—such as the **RNC-NIC** (Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care)—or advancing to a Nurse Practitioner role increases base hourly rates significantly.
---
The breakdown of hourly rates across the three primary clinical roles in neonatal care highlights the differences in pay, training requirements, and responsibilities:
| Role | Average Hourly Pay | Pay Range | Education Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (NICU RN)** | **$45 - $52 / hr** | $37 – $77+ / hr | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
| **Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)** | **$61 - $72 / hr** | $48 – $80+ / hr | Master's (MSN) or Doctorate (DNP) |
| **Neonatologist (Medical Doctor)** | **$120 - $180+ / hr** | Equivalent to $250k–$380k+/yr | Medical School (MD/DO) + Residency + Fellowship |
---
### Factors That Impact Hourly Pay
1. **Location:** High-cost-of-living states pay significantly more. For example, NICU nurses in California average **$66 to $83/hr**, whereas roles in lower-cost states average **$35 to $45/hr**.
2. **Shift Differentials:** Neonatal care in intensive care units (NICUs) operates 24/7. Working night shifts, weekends, or holidays typically adds **$3 to $8 per hour** on top of base pay.
3. **Experience & Certifications:** Earning specialized credentials—such as the **RNC-NIC** (Registered Nurse Certified in Neonatal Intensive Care)—or advancing to a Nurse Practitioner role increases base hourly rates significantly.
---
Taylor Zhao
Program Manager
144
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hey Camryn!
Good question! You can find more info here:
http://www1.salary.com/Nurse-Practitioner-Neonatal-hourly-wages.html
You can also do a quick google search youself to find more detailed info about your state. Salary also depends on the position, hospital you work at, and the experience you have. Good luck!
Good question! You can find more info here:
http://www1.salary.com/Nurse-Practitioner-Neonatal-hourly-wages.html
You can also do a quick google search youself to find more detailed info about your state. Salary also depends on the position, hospital you work at, and the experience you have. Good luck!