What Are The Nurse Agency Rates of Pay and Why?

What Are The Nurse Agency Rates of Pay and Why?

Nurses, we know how hard it is out there. With the state of the NHS and happenings in the hospital, it’s no wonder you’re campaigning for higher wages. We understand. If you’re thinking about moving specialties or location, it’s important that you understand the changes in salary you can expect. Let’s discuss everything about nurse agency work and what you can expect to make. We’ve organised this post by location and speciality, so you can fully understand the scope of what industry rates are in 2024.

Wages for the most common specialities

This list isn’t all-inclusive, we’ll only discuss the most common specialities, namely general, ER, community, outpatient, mental health, L&D, paediatrics, anaesthetist, wound care, and rehabilitation nurses. 

Why do nurse agency salaries vary by speciality?

Mostly, this is because of the level of training. So an ER nurse might make more than a general nurse, for instance.

General Registered Nurses (RGNs)

RGNs can expect to average anything from £34,682 to  £41,571, so anywhere from £19.00 to upwards of £25.00 to £36.00 per hour. Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries compared to those with more experience, and RGNs with specialized training or certifications may command higher salaries. Different hospitals, clinics, and care facilities may offer varying compensation packages. Also, salaries for RGNs can be higher in certain areas, particularly London and other major cities, which be further discussed below.

ER Nurses

The average accident and emergency nurse salary in the United Kingdom ranges from £35,644 for entry-level positions to £74,100 for the most experienced workers, with an average of £49,725 per year. That’s about £24 to £37 per hourwrites Talent.com. It’s important to note that compensation can vary significantly across different healthcare providers. Additionally, salaries for RGNs tend to be higher in certain regions, with Birmingham and major cities typically offering the highest rates.

Community and Public Health Nurses

The typical annual salary for a community staff nurse is £29,995, equivalent to an hourly rate of £15.38. Entry-level roles begin at £27,761 annually, with seasoned professionals earning up to £36,327 per year. Of course, should you commence further certification, you can expect to earn a higher rate. Compensation packages for RGNs may vary across hospitals, clinics, and care facilities. Additionally, salaries for Registered General Nurses (RGNs) tend to be higher in specific regions.

Outpatient Nurses

The typical annual salary for an outpatient staff nurse in the United Kingdom is £31,949, corresponding to an hourly rate of £16.38. Entry-level roles commence at £29,000 per year, while more experienced professionals can earn up to £40,500 annually.

Mental Health Nurses

The average RMN salary in the United Kingdom falls within the range of £31,018 to £47,839 per year, with an average of £34,638 annually. This translates to an hourly rate of roughly £17.76. However, it’s important to remember that this is a general range, and individual salaries can vary depending on several factors.

Labour and Delivery Nurses

The average salary for a Labor Delivery Nurse is £55,935 per year, which translates to roughly £27 per hour. However, it’s important to note that this is just an average, and the actual salary can vary between £39,155 and £68,018 per year depending on several factors, such as experience, qualifications, and the specific employer.

Paediatric Nurses

Entry-level paediatric nurses typically start at £32,507 per year, while more experienced nurses can earn up to £61,425 per year. This roughly translates to about £19.92 per hour. You can ask for a higher salary if you have specialised certifications.

Certified Nurse Anaesthetist

The salary range for this role typically falls between £91,415 and £167,209. Generally, a Master’s Degree represents the highest level of education attained by a Nurse Anesthetist. Band 1 nurses make about 22,000 pounds, band 3 22,800 pounds, band 5 £28,000, band 6 £35, 600, and band 8 plus about £42,000.

Wound Care Nurses

The national average salary for a Wound Care Nurse in the United Kingdom is £33,523. This translates to a range of roughly £28,000 – £40,000 per year. It’s important to remember that salaries can vary depending on several factors, such as experience, location, and the specific employer. Newly qualified wound care nurses often start at the lower end of the salary range, while those with significant experience and advanced certifications can earn closer to the higher end.

Mental Health Rehabilitation Nurse

The average mental health rehab worker in the United Kingdom earns £34,874 annually, translating roughly to £17.88 per hour. This figure, however, serves as a general indicator, and individual salaries can vary significantly based on several factors, including experience, education, employer, and location.

What influences RN Agency work Wages?

Location and nurse salaries

1. Cost of living: This is often the most significant factor. Areas with a higher cost of living, such as major cities and urban centres (e.g., London or Birmingham) typically offer higher salaries to nurses to attract and retain qualified professionals. This helps them maintain a similar standard of living compared to those working in areas with lower living costs.

2. Supply and demand: Locations experiencing a shortage of nurses, particularly those with specialised skills, tend to offer higher salaries to entice them to work there. This creates competition and drives up wages in areas with high demand.

3. Healthcare funding: The level of funding available to healthcare facilities in different regions can impact nurse salaries. Areas with better-funded healthcare systems, often due to higher tax revenue or government allocation, may be able to offer more competitive salaries to nurses.

4. Public vs. private sector: Salaries for nurses can also differ between public and private healthcare sectors. Private hospitals and clinics often operate with greater profit margins and may be able to offer higher salaries to attract and retain skilled nurses, compared to public institutions like the NHS with stricter budget constraints.

5. Unionisation: The presence of strong nurse unions in certain regions can play a role in negotiating higher wages and better benefits for members. This can lead to higher average salaries in areas with more active union representation.

Highest-paying locations for nurses

London: As the UK’s capital and a major economic hub, London consistently ranks among the highest-paying locations for nurses due to its high cost of living and ongoing nurse shortage.

South East England: This region, including areas like Oxford, Reading, and Cambridge, often features high nurse salaries due to factors like a high cost of living and a concentration on research and teaching hospitals.

In conclusion, salary differs by specialisation, experience, level of further training, demand, and location. Get in touch with one of our friendly recruitment specialists by clicking here. We’re happy to help!