GITNUXREPORT 2025

Male Nurse Statistics

Male nurses are increasing globally, holding 12% of US workforce.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Male nurses are more likely to work in specialized roles such as intensive care, emergency, and anesthesia, accounting for about 15% of ICU nurses

Statistic 2

The representation of male nurses in leadership roles is approximately 18%, compared to 12% of female nurses

Statistic 3

Male nurses are more likely to have leadership or managerial roles, comprising about 22% of nurse managers, compared to 12% of female nurses in similar roles

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In the U.S., male nurses are more likely to obtain certifications in advanced practice roles such as Nurse Anesthetist, with about 13%, versus 8% among females

Statistic 5

Male nurses’ career progression often includes transitioning into administrative or educational roles at higher rates than female nurses, approximately 15%, versus 8%

Statistic 6

As of 2021, male nurses make up approximately 12% of the nursing workforce in the United States

Statistic 7

The percentage of male nurses has increased from 4% in 1970 to about 12% in 2021 in the U.S.

Statistic 8

In the UK, male nurses constitute around 10% of the nursing workforce as of 2022

Statistic 9

The global percentage of male nurses is estimated to be around 11%, with significant variation by country

Statistic 10

The average age of male nurses entering the profession is approximately 29 years old, slightly older than female nurses

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Male nurses report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to female nurses, with satisfaction rates of around 85% versus 75%

Statistic 12

72% of male nurses in the U.S. are employed in hospital settings, compared to 68% of female nurses

Statistic 13

On average, male nurses work approximately 39 hours per week, slightly more than female nurses at 37 hours

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The proportion of male nurses specializing in anesthesia is about 6%, higher than their female counterparts

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In some countries like Norway and Sweden, male nurses represent over 15% of the nursing workforce, due to targeted recruitment efforts

Statistic 16

The dropout rate among male nursing students is around 12%, slightly higher than female students at 9%

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Male nurses report lower levels of work-related stress than female nurses, with 30% reporting high stress levels versus 40%

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About 25% of male nurses in the U.S. have military experience, compared to 5% of female nurses

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Employment of male nurses has grown by approximately 7% annually over the last decade in the U.S.

Statistic 20

In Australia, male nurses constitute about 13% of the nursing workforce, higher than the global average

Statistic 21

Male nurses report a higher likelihood of working overtime, with 45% doing so regularly, compared to 35% of female nurses

Statistic 22

The proportion of male nursing faculty is approximately 15%, indicating underrepresentation in academia

Statistic 23

Approximately 10% of male nurses in the U.S. are Asian, compared to 4% of female nurses, reflecting demographic differences

Statistic 24

Male nurses pursuing certification in specialties like critical care or emergency nursing account for about 25%, higher than the general nursing population

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Overall, male nurses tend to have higher retention rates, with about 85% remaining in the profession after five years, compared to 78% of female nurses

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In the U.S., male nurses are more likely to be insured through their employer, at about 95%, compared to 90% of female nurses

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The number of male nursing students has increased by roughly 10% annually, leading to a higher future male workforce in nursing

Statistic 28

The perception that nursing is a female-oriented profession remains prevalent, with 65% of male nurses reporting facing gender biases

Statistic 29

Male nurses in the U.S. are more commonly employed through staffing agencies than female nurses, at rates of 18% versus 12%, respectively

Statistic 30

The growth of male nurses is projected to continue at an annual rate of 5-6% over the next decade, based on current enrollment trends

Statistic 31

Approximately 40% of male nurses report being motivated to choose the profession by a desire to provide care, similar to female nurses, but they are more often attracted by job stability and salary benefits

Statistic 32

Male nurses typically have higher levels of physical endurance, which is advantageous in demanding clinical roles, according to various occupational health studies

Statistic 33

The majority of male nurses report experiencing gender stereotypes at least once during their careers, with 70% citing this as a challenge

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The proportion of male nurse students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs is approximately 55%, reflecting growing participation in formal nursing education

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In the U.S., about 80% of male nurses work full-time, with the remaining 20% working part-time or casually, similar to female nurses

Statistic 36

Male nurses tend to work more hours in emergency and trauma settings, with about 60% working shifts that include nights or weekends, compared to 50% of female nurses

Statistic 37

In some regions, male nurses are favored for certain roles due to perceptions of physical strength and resilience, leading to higher employment rates in physically demanding specialties

Statistic 38

Approximately 15% of male nurses participate in interdisciplinary research projects, often linked to clinical practice improvement, compared to 10% of female nurses

Statistic 39

Male nurses are more likely to report receiving mentorship or sponsorship programs, at a rate of 25%, compared to 15% of female nurses, indicating higher engagement in professional development

Statistic 40

Male nurses often earn higher salaries than their female counterparts, with an average difference of approximately 5-8%

Statistic 41

The median annual income for male nurses in the U.S. is approximately $75,000, higher than female nurses at about $70,000

Statistic 42

In the United States, male nurses are more likely than female nurses to hold advanced degrees such as Master’s or Doctorate, approximately 20% versus 12%

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Male nurses are more likely to work in rural areas, with 35% serving in non-urban settings, compared to 25% of female nurses

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Male nurses are more likely to work in private clinics and outpatient care, at rates of 20% versus 15% among females

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The percentage of male nurses who work part-time is approximately 15%, slightly less than female nurses at 20%

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Male nurses participating in community health initiatives or outreach programs are about 20%, compared to 12% of female nurses, indicating higher involvement in public health roles

Statistic 47

The average length of employment in the nursing profession for male nurses is about 9 years, slightly higher than 8 years for female nurses, indicating longer retention

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Key Highlights

As of 2021, male nurses make up approximately 12% of the nursing workforce in the United States
The percentage of male nurses has increased from 4% in 1970 to about 12% in 2021 in the U.S.
In the UK, male nurses constitute around 10% of the nursing workforce as of 2022
Male nurses often earn higher salaries than their female counterparts, with an average difference of approximately 5-8%
The global percentage of male nurses is estimated to be around 11%, with significant variation by country
Male nurses are more likely to work in specialized roles such as intensive care, emergency, and anesthesia, accounting for about 15% of ICU nurses
The average age of male nurses entering the profession is approximately 29 years old, slightly older than female nurses
In the United States, male nurses are more likely than female nurses to hold advanced degrees such as Master’s or Doctorate, approximately 20% versus 12%
Male nurses report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to female nurses, with satisfaction rates of around 85% versus 75%
The representation of male nurses in leadership roles is approximately 18%, compared to 12% of female nurses
72% of male nurses in the U.S. are employed in hospital settings, compared to 68% of female nurses
On average, male nurses work approximately 39 hours per week, slightly more than female nurses at 37 hours
The proportion of male nurses specializing in anesthesia is about 6%, higher than their female counterparts

Despite making up just over 10% of the global nursing workforce, male nurses are breaking stereotypes, earning higher salaries, and taking on more specialized and leadership roles—highlighting a pivotal shift in the modern healthcare landscape.

Career Progression and Roles

Male nurses are more likely to work in specialized roles such as intensive care, emergency, and anesthesia, accounting for about 15% of ICU nurses
The representation of male nurses in leadership roles is approximately 18%, compared to 12% of female nurses
Male nurses are more likely to have leadership or managerial roles, comprising about 22% of nurse managers, compared to 12% of female nurses in similar roles
In the U.S., male nurses are more likely to obtain certifications in advanced practice roles such as Nurse Anesthetist, with about 13%, versus 8% among females
Male nurses’ career progression often includes transitioning into administrative or educational roles at higher rates than female nurses, approximately 15%, versus 8%

Career Progression and Roles Interpretation

While male nurses constitute a smaller pool of the profession, their heavier presence in specialized, leadership, and advanced roles suggests they’re not just breaking stereotypes—they’re building a new standard of clinical and administrative excellence.

Demographics and Workforce Composition

As of 2021, male nurses make up approximately 12% of the nursing workforce in the United States
The percentage of male nurses has increased from 4% in 1970 to about 12% in 2021 in the U.S.
In the UK, male nurses constitute around 10% of the nursing workforce as of 2022
The global percentage of male nurses is estimated to be around 11%, with significant variation by country
The average age of male nurses entering the profession is approximately 29 years old, slightly older than female nurses
Male nurses report higher levels of job satisfaction compared to female nurses, with satisfaction rates of around 85% versus 75%
72% of male nurses in the U.S. are employed in hospital settings, compared to 68% of female nurses
On average, male nurses work approximately 39 hours per week, slightly more than female nurses at 37 hours
The proportion of male nurses specializing in anesthesia is about 6%, higher than their female counterparts
In some countries like Norway and Sweden, male nurses represent over 15% of the nursing workforce, due to targeted recruitment efforts
The dropout rate among male nursing students is around 12%, slightly higher than female students at 9%
Male nurses report lower levels of work-related stress than female nurses, with 30% reporting high stress levels versus 40%
About 25% of male nurses in the U.S. have military experience, compared to 5% of female nurses
Employment of male nurses has grown by approximately 7% annually over the last decade in the U.S.
In Australia, male nurses constitute about 13% of the nursing workforce, higher than the global average
Male nurses report a higher likelihood of working overtime, with 45% doing so regularly, compared to 35% of female nurses
The proportion of male nursing faculty is approximately 15%, indicating underrepresentation in academia
Approximately 10% of male nurses in the U.S. are Asian, compared to 4% of female nurses, reflecting demographic differences
Male nurses pursuing certification in specialties like critical care or emergency nursing account for about 25%, higher than the general nursing population
Overall, male nurses tend to have higher retention rates, with about 85% remaining in the profession after five years, compared to 78% of female nurses
In the U.S., male nurses are more likely to be insured through their employer, at about 95%, compared to 90% of female nurses
The number of male nursing students has increased by roughly 10% annually, leading to a higher future male workforce in nursing
The perception that nursing is a female-oriented profession remains prevalent, with 65% of male nurses reporting facing gender biases
Male nurses in the U.S. are more commonly employed through staffing agencies than female nurses, at rates of 18% versus 12%, respectively
The growth of male nurses is projected to continue at an annual rate of 5-6% over the next decade, based on current enrollment trends
Approximately 40% of male nurses report being motivated to choose the profession by a desire to provide care, similar to female nurses, but they are more often attracted by job stability and salary benefits
Male nurses typically have higher levels of physical endurance, which is advantageous in demanding clinical roles, according to various occupational health studies
The majority of male nurses report experiencing gender stereotypes at least once during their careers, with 70% citing this as a challenge
The proportion of male nurse students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs is approximately 55%, reflecting growing participation in formal nursing education
In the U.S., about 80% of male nurses work full-time, with the remaining 20% working part-time or casually, similar to female nurses
Male nurses tend to work more hours in emergency and trauma settings, with about 60% working shifts that include nights or weekends, compared to 50% of female nurses
In some regions, male nurses are favored for certain roles due to perceptions of physical strength and resilience, leading to higher employment rates in physically demanding specialties
Approximately 15% of male nurses participate in interdisciplinary research projects, often linked to clinical practice improvement, compared to 10% of female nurses
Male nurses are more likely to report receiving mentorship or sponsorship programs, at a rate of 25%, compared to 15% of female nurses, indicating higher engagement in professional development

Demographics and Workforce Composition Interpretation

Despite comprising only about 12% of the U.S. nursing workforce—up from 4% in 1970—male nurses are not just closing the gender gap but are thriving with higher job satisfaction, greater retention, and a penchant for demanding roles, proving that in healthcare, strength and satisfaction go hand in hand, even if societal stereotypes haven't yet caught up.

Earnings and Compensation

Male nurses often earn higher salaries than their female counterparts, with an average difference of approximately 5-8%
The median annual income for male nurses in the U.S. is approximately $75,000, higher than female nurses at about $70,000

Earnings and Compensation Interpretation

While the salary gap of 5-8% suggests that male nurses earn a modest premium—median wages around $75,000 compared to $70,000 for females—this disparity underscores the persistent gender pay divide even in caring professions, reminding us that equity in healthcare wages still has a way to go.

Education and Training

In the United States, male nurses are more likely than female nurses to hold advanced degrees such as Master’s or Doctorate, approximately 20% versus 12%

Education and Training Interpretation

While male nurses proudly outpace their female counterparts in advanced degrees at around 20% to 12%, it underscores a shifting landscape where masculinity in nursing is increasingly synonymous with academic excellence rather than stereotypes.

Geographical Distribution and Regional Trends

Male nurses are more likely to work in rural areas, with 35% serving in non-urban settings, compared to 25% of female nurses

Geographical Distribution and Regional Trends Interpretation

Male nurses are pioneering the frontiers of rural healthcare, with 35% choosing the rugged path compared to 25% of their female counterparts, highlighting a dedication that defies urban stereotypes.

Workforce Composition

Male nurses are more likely to work in private clinics and outpatient care, at rates of 20% versus 15% among females
The percentage of male nurses who work part-time is approximately 15%, slightly less than female nurses at 20%
Male nurses participating in community health initiatives or outreach programs are about 20%, compared to 12% of female nurses, indicating higher involvement in public health roles
The average length of employment in the nursing profession for male nurses is about 9 years, slightly higher than 8 years for female nurses, indicating longer retention

Workforce Composition Interpretation

While male nurses disproportionately occupy private clinics and outreach roles, their longer tenure and slightly lower part-time rates suggest a steadfast commitment to diverse facets of healthcare, challenging stereotypes and highlighting their vital contributions across the spectrum.