[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Nurse Corps — a division of the United States Air Force — employs 19,000 nurses and other healthcare professionals. Nurses with a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] can [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join/process/officer#:~:text=When%20you%20join%20the%20Air,to%20lead%20your%20fellow%20Airmen.” target=”_blank”]enlist as Air Force nurses[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Air Force [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses (RNs)[/hen-ui-link] train to provide evidence-based and emergent care to patients, families and warfighters globally. They develop and maintain leadership roles while applying research to their nursing scope of practice.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An Air Force nurse can earn a competitive salary, especially if they work for several years in the Air Force. The U.S. Air Force also offers nurses the standard military benefits: retirement after 20 years, a rewarding bonus structure, and potential funding for an advanced degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide helps explain how to become an Air Force nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Average Salary for Air Force Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like all military salaries, the salary range for Air Force nurses is based on rank which is also reflected by the pay grade.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like much of the rest of the Air Force, Air Force nurses are considered commissioned officers and begin their Air Force careers as second lieutenants. Nurses can move up in rank like their Air Force counterparts through promotions or special programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Second Lieutenants with two years experience are at a 1 out of 10 on the pay grade. According to the 2024 salary pay table — made public by the Air Force — yearly base pay is $47,800.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After achieving the rank of first lieutenant, which is considered a two out of 10 on the pay grade, salaries increase considerably.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A first lieutenant Air Force nurse’s salary with two years experience is $60,250. The nurse corps also distributes bonuses for board certifications and years of service, from up to $35,000 annually.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Air Force Nurse Salary by Rank[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank/Pay Grade [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Salary Based on 2 Years of Service [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2 Years Retention Bonus [/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank/Pay Grade”]Second Lieutenant/ 0-1 [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary Based on 2 Years of Service”]$47,793.60[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2 Years Retention Bonus”]$10,000[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank/Pay Grade”]First Lieutenant/ 0-2[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary Based on 2 Years of Service”]$60,249.60 [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2 Years Retention Bonus”]$10,000[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank/Pay Grade”]Captain/ 0-3[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Salary Based on 2 Years of Service”]$69,404.40 [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2 Years Retention Bonus”]$10,000[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Air Force Registered Nurse Salary vs. Other Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an Air Force RN is a unique opportunity for nurses to receive Air Force officer training and education. Compared with other nurse salaries, Air Force nurses can increase their salaries annually with bonuses in exchange for their time in service, and obtaining certifications in specific specialties.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Air Force nurses work in the military health system, on the ground and in the air. Career opportunities for Air Force nurses include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/flight-nurse/”]Flight nurse[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/er-nurse/”]Emergency room nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/neonatal-nurse/how-to-become/”]Neonatal Intensive Care nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/psychiatric-nurse/”]Mental Health nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/critical-care-nurse/”]Critical Care nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/labor-and-delivery-nurse/how-to-become/”]Labor and delivery nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/or-nurse/”]Operating Room nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average nurse salary is $86,070.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A second lieutenant Air Force nurse’s salary from 1-4 years of service ranges from $45,914 to $57,776, with increased pay opportunities.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Air Force Nurse Salaries vs. Other Nurse Salaries[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Job[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”]Air Force nurse (Second Lieutenant) [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$45,914 – $57,776[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”]Flight nurse (non-Air Force)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$109,709 [/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”]Air Force Family Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Family_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary/5a008ee8/U.S.-Air-Force-USAF” target=”_blank”]$100,000[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”]Mental Health Nurse [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$92,632[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”]Med-Surg nurse [/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]$117,052[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”not-prose pt-8 pb-2 border-b-2″]Ways to Increase Pay As an Air Force Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Suppose you want to earn more than the entry-level Air Force nurse salary. In that case, you can pursue a specialization, graduate degree, retention bonuses, and other incentive pay.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike other organizations, military pay is transparent. The following options can add to your Air Force nurse salary.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Consider Pursuing Certifications[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Air Force nurses can increase their pay by earning certifications in specific specialties. Since deployment is unavoidable, helping in combat areas requires experience. Becoming certified in [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified” target=”_blank”]critical care[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://bcen.org/cen/” target=”_blank”]emergency[/hen-ui-link], or [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cotshealth.org/tncc” target=”_blank”]trauma[/hen-ui-link] nursing would better prepare you to care for patients with complex conditions or injuries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Increase Your Education Level OR Earn Your BSN/MSN[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can qualify for bonuses by earning a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing (MSN)[/hen-ui-link] or a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/dnp/”]doctor of nursing science (DNP)[/hen-ui-link]. Air Force nurses advance their careers by becoming master-prepared [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.airforce.com/careers/browse-careers?tags=airforce:careers/subcategory/healthcare/nursing#careers” target=”_blank”]advanced practice registered nurses (APRN).[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-anesthetist/how-to-become-a-crna/”]certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)[/hen-ui-link] qualifies for a $15,000 bonus their first year, $40,000 in year four and up to $60,000 in their sixth year of service.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You may also qualify for military scholarships to help you pay for your degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Gain Experience in Administrative Roles[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Gaining experience in administrative roles such as nurse management or director of nursing prepare nurses for hospital administrative positions in the Air Force. Master-prepared nurses will lead healthcare systems by handling the business management of health services.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Healthcare_Administrator/Salary/995af21f/U.S.-Air-Force-USAF” target=”_blank”]Payscale[/hen-ui-link], as of September 2024 an Air Force hospital administrator’s yearly salary is $106,421.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Change Practice Setting or Become a Travel Nurse[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses in critical need specialty areas can expect higher retention bonuses for their service in the Air Force. For example, suppose you work or have [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/travel-nurse/how-to-become/”]travel nurse[/hen-ui-link] experience as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/medical-surgical-nursing/”]medical-surgical nurse[/hen-ui-link], [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-midwife/”]nurse-midwife[/hen-ui-link], or labor and delivery nurse. In this case, you can expect a $25,000 bonus — higher than several other nurse specialties — in year four.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Air Force Nurse Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What rank is an RN in the Air Force?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses are eligible to enlist as officers, often as second lieutenants. Air Force nurses’ salaries are at the O-1 pay grade on a 1-10 pay scale or higher as their rank increases.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is it hard to become an Air Force nurse?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.airforce.com/careers/healthcare/clinical-nurse” target=”_blank”]U.S. Air Force[/hen-ui-link], prospective applicants must have a bachelor of science in nursing degree, a minimum of one year of nursing experience, be 18 years old or older, have not reached their 47th birthday, and complete officer training school courses to become Air Force nurses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is joining the Air Force as a nurse worth it?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, it can be a great fit for the right person. Joining the Air Force as a nurse offers a rewarding and unique experience of caring for armed service members and others worldwide. Employment also includes generous military benefits: retirement after 20 years, a rewarding bonus structure, and potential funding for additional education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do Air Force nurses get deployed?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.airforce.com/frequently-asked-questions?tags=airforce%3Afaqs%2Flifestyle-locations%2Fwhat-s-it-like” target=”_blank”]U.S. Air Force[/hen-ui-link], Air Force nurses should expect to be deployed at least once during their career.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]