Nurse Pay Calculator

A shift differential is extra pay for working less desirable hours — nights, evenings, weekends, or holidays. It is added on top of your base hourly rate, either as a flat dollar amount per hour (for example $4–7/hr for nights) or as a percentage of base. It can add thousands of dollars a year for nurses who work off-shifts.

Night-shift differentials commonly run $3–8 per hour, and weekend differentials $2–5 per hour, though they vary widely by employer, region, and specialty. Some hospitals use a percentage (10–20% of base) instead of a flat rate. Enter your own figures to see your real pay.

Add up your base pay, all differential pay, and any overtime, then divide by total hours worked. The result — your effective rate — is usually well above your base rate once night and weekend premiums are included. It is the true number to compare between jobs.

It depends on the employer and jurisdiction. Federal law bases overtime on the "regular rate," which can include differentials, but many facilities calculate it on base pay alone. This calculator uses 1.5× base for simplicity — check your specific policy for exact overtime figures.

Yes — differential pay is regular taxable wages, subject to income and payroll taxes like the rest of your paycheck, and it typically counts toward retirement contributions and Social Security earnings. It is real income, not a bonus.