Salary of a Nurse in the Government and Private Sectors

• Updated on  Jul 09, 2025, by Vasudha Sharma

Post Basic BSc Nursing is a 2 years course conducted by registered nurses who have qualified General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma. The course focuses on improving clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and leadership among the nurses. Once the Post Basic BSc Nursing is over, the graduates could engage in numerous types of employment in state and non-state sectors and work, e.g., as Staff Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Manager.

 

The average salary of a nurse, who possesses this kind of qualification depends on the Job position, experience, and employer type. The entry level salary of a nurse is between INR 2.5 to 5 lakh per annum and experienced employees working in specialized or managerial departments may receive INR 6 to 12 lakhs and above in annual salary. The hospitals in the private sector and in the metropolitan areas tend to pay more than government institutions, though the government jobs are associated with greater job security and other benefits.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Nurse Salary as per Designation
  2. Nurse Salary in the Government Sector
  3. Nurse Salary in the Private Sector
  4. Nurse Salary in Top Cities
  5. Nurse Salary Abroad
  6. FAQs

 

Nurse Salary as per Designation

The salary of a nurse majorly depends on the designation in which the candidates are working, also depending on other factors, including skills, experience, etc. The complete table of the salary of a nurse as per designation is given below.

Job Role

Experience

Salary Range

Staff Nurse

0- 3 years

INR 3.5–6 LPA

ICU Nurse

0-5 years

INR 3.4–6 LPA

OT Nurse

2- 5 years

INR 3.8–6.5 LPA

Critical Care Nurse

0- 3 years

INR 4.3–7 LPA

Home Nurse

0-5 years

INR 2.5–4.5 LPA

Private Duty Nurse

2- 5 years

INR 1.8–4 LPA

Nursing Professor

0- 3 years

INR 5.4–8 LPA

Certified Nurse Anesthetist

2- 5 years

INR 7.5–12 LPA

Assistant Nursing Superintendent

0-5 years

INR 8–12 LPA

Nurse Educator

0- 3 years

INR 2.5–5.5 LPA

Nurse Researcher

2- 5 years

INR 4.5–7 LPA

Nursing Officer (AIIMS/PSU)

0- 3 years

INR 6–14 LPA

Senior Staff Nurse

2- 5 years

INR 5–8 LPA

 

Nurse Salary in the Government Sector

With the growth in the medical sector, there is a higher demand for the healthcare professionals in the industries. The salary of a nurse in the government sector comes with many benefits.

Job Role

Key Employers

Experience

Salary Range

Staff Nurse

AIIMS, ESIC, RRB, State Govt Hospitals

2- 5 years

INR 3.6–5.4 LPA

Nursing Officer

AIIMS, RRB, State Health Departments

0- 3 years

INR 5.4–8.0 LPA

Senior Staff Nurse

AIIMS, ESIC, State Govt Hospitals

2- 5 years

INR 5.0–7.5 LPA

Nursing Superintendent

State Govt Hospitals, AIIMS

2- 5 years

INR 7.0–12.0 LPA

Nursing Professor

Government Nursing Colleges, Universities

0- 3 years

INR 6.0–9.0 LPA

Nurse Educator

Government Nursing Schools

0-5 years

INR 3.0–5.5 LPA

Nurse Anesthetist

Government Medical Colleges, Hospitals

2- 5 years

INR 8.0–12.0 LPA

Military Nurse

Indian Army, Navy, Air Force

0- 3 years

INR 1.4–3.0 LPA

Public Health Nurse

State Health Departments

2- 5 years

INR 3.5–6.0 LPA

Nursing Officer (Railways)

Indian Railways

0- 3 years

INR 5.0–7.0 LPA

 

Nurse Salary in the Private Sector

The nurse salary in the private sector is very unpredictable and usually determined by the aspect of experience, job position, the reputation of the hospital/medical centre and specialisation. The complete table for the roles to opt in private sector after Post Basic BSc Nursing course, are as follows:

Job Role

Key Employers

Experience in Years

Salary Range in INR LPA

Staff Nurse

Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Max Healthcare

0-2 years

INR 2.5–5 LPA

Staff Nurse

Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Max Healthcare

3- 5 years

INR 3.5–5.0 LPA

ICU Nurse

Manipal Hospitals, Medanta, Fortis

0- 3 years

INR 3.0–4.5 LPA

OT Nurse

BLK Hospital, Leelavati Hospital

2- 4 years

INR 3.2–4.8 LPA

Critical Care Nurse

Fortis, Max Healthcare, Medanta

3- 6 years

INR 4.0–5.5 LPA

Home Health Nurse

Portea, Nightingales, Apollo HomeCare

0- 2 years

INR 2.0–6 LPA

Private Duty Nurse

Private Clinics, Home Care Agencies

3- 5 years

INR 2.5–4.0 LPA

Nurse Educator

Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, Max Healthcare

3- 5 years

INR 3.0–5.5 LPA

Nurse Researcher

Research Hospitals, Private Labs

3- 6 years

INR 4.0–6.0 LPA

Nurse Administrator

Max Healthcare, Fortis, Apollo

3- 5 years

INR 5.0–7.0 LPA

Public Health Nurse

Private NGOs, Community Hospitals

2- 4 years

INR 3.0–4.5 LPA

Nurse Practitioner

Fortis, Apollo, Max Healthcare

2- 4 years

INR 6.0–8.0 LPA

 

Nurse Salary in Top Cities

Salary of a nurse in top cities depends on the local demand, the healthcare infrastructure, cost of life, and the investment of the government or the nonprofit sector of the healthcare. Although the cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore do provide one of the highest wages to nurses, the professionals must also consider the cost of living and lifestyle before moving there.

Job Role

City

Experience

Salary Range

Staff Nurse

Delhi

0-2 years

INR 2.9–3.5 LPA

Staff Nurse

Mumbai

3- 5 years

INR 3.8–5.5 LPA

Staff Nurse

Bengaluru

0- 3 years

INR 4.0–5.8 LPA

ICU Nurse

Chennai

2- 4 years

INR 3.2–4.0 LPA

ICU Nurse

Kolkata

3- 6 years

INR 3.5–4.5 LPA

OT Nurse

Hyderabad

0- 2 years

INR 2.8–3.6 LPA

Critical Care Nurse

Pune

3- 5 years

INR 4.5–6.0 LPA

Nursing Officer

Delhi

3- 5 years

INR 6.0–8.0 LPA

Nursing Professor

Mumbai

10 years

INR 5.5–8.0 LPA

Home Nurse

Bengaluru

4 years

INR 2.0–3.0 LPA

Private Duty Nurse

Chennai

3- 5 years

INR 2.5–4.0 LPA

Nurse Educator

Kolkata

0- 3 years

INR 3.0–5.0 LPA

Nurse Administrator

Delhi

2- 4 years

INR 7.0–10.0 LPA

Public Health Nurse

Mumbai

3- 6 years

INR 3.5–5.0 LPA

Nurse Anesthetist

Bengaluru

0- 2 years

INR 7.0–10.0 LPA

 

Nurse Salary Abroad

The salary of a nurse is abroad is considerably higher than in India. There are various countries in the world that give an attractive remuneration package to nurses who are working in the foreign countries.

Job Role

Country

Experience

Salary Range

Registered Nurse

United Kingdom

3 years

INR 24–32 LPA

ICU Nurse

United Kingdom

5 years

INR 32–40 LPA

Psychiatric Nurse

United Kingdom

7 years

INR 38–46 LPA

Geriatric Nurse

Germany

4 years

INR 28–36 LPA

Staff Nurse

Germany

6 years

INR 34–44 LPA

Oncology Nurse

Singapore

5 years

INR 32–40 LPA

Pediatric Nurse

Singapore

3 years

INR 28–36 LPA

Emergency Care Nurse

Saudi Arabia

4 years

INR 20–28 LPA

Surgical Assistance Nurse

Saudi Arabia

6 years

INR 28–36 LPA

Neonatal Nurse

Saudi Arabia

5 years

INR 24–32 LPA

Nurse Practitioner

Australia

7 years

INR 40–55 LPA

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Australia

5 years

INR 35–48 LPA

Nurse Researcher

Australia

6 years

INR 31–44 LPA

Nurse Midwife

New Zealand

5 years

INR 28–38 LPA

Mental Health Nurse

New Zealand

6 years

INR 32–42 LPA

Addiction Nurse

New Zealand

4 years

INR 26–34 LPA

 

FAQs

How much does a nurse earn in India on average in entry-level roles?

An average starting salary of a nurse in India is usually INR 2.5 to 4 lakhs per annum, depending upon the institution and place. In government hospitals, the base salary would be lower but employment security and perks would be higher where whereas in selected metro cities, high salaries in a private hospital may be a plus. The nurse's salary also depends on the educational background of the nurse, the experience he/she goes through during his/her internship, and his/her location. The overall compensation package can continue to be increased by providing additional night shift, overtime, and housing allowances.

What are the differences in the salaries of government and private nurses?

The Nurse roles in the government sectors provide fixed pay, pay rise and full benefits i.e. pension benefit, gratuity benefit, and health cover. Nonetheless, the high salary or performance-oriented incentives are common in jobs offered within the private sector, particularly those offered in large hospitals or metro cities. The government sector also has better job security and provisions on retirement as far as promotions and the use of superior technologies are concerned.

What are the other benefits that come with the salary of a nurse in India?

Other benefits which nurses in India may receive in addition to the basic salary of a nurse, are the housing allowance, medical insurance to both the nurse and the family, transportation allowance, and paid leave, among others. Government nurses can also have benefits of pension, and gratuity, and job security whereas the nurses employed in the private sector may get performance benefits as well as chances of getting professional development.

How does the location affects the nurse salary in India?

The salary of a nurse in the metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru etc., tend to be 20-30 percent higher compared to those in smaller towns or villages. It can be explained by the fact that cost of living is higher in the cities, the need of medical professionals is higher, and the cities have big and well-financed hospitals.

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