Men represent 13.1 percent of the 3.1 million registered nurses. Their shares reach 25 percent in intensive care units and 28 percent in emergency departments while remaining under 6 percent among nursing faculty. The statistics detail compensation differences, demographic patterns, education outcomes, and reported workplace challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Average median salary for male RNs was $82,750 in 2023, 4.2% higher than female RNs.
- In 2022, males accounted for 13.1% of the 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States, marking a 2.5 percentage point increase from 2018.
- 92% of male BSN graduates from 2022 were employed within 6 months.
- The number of male RNs in the US grew by 22% from 2016 to 2022, reaching 405,000.
- 45% of male nurses report workplace gender bias in career advancement per 2023 survey.
Male nurses make up a growing share of the workforce, improving representation while still remaining a minority.
Related reading
01 · Category
Compensation20 stats
01
Average median salary for male RNs was $82,750in 2023, 4.2% higher than female RNs.
02
Male CRNAs earned a median $203,090annually in 2022.
03
In California, male RNs averaged $124,000salary in 2023.
04
Male nurse practitioners median pay: $121,610in 2023.
05
Bonus pay for male travel nurses averaged $10,200monthly in 2023.
06
Male ICU nurses in NYC earned $110,450median in 2022.
07
Overtime earnings for male RNs: 15% higher than females at $48/hr average 2023.
08
Male LPNs median wage $59,730in 2023 nationally.
09
In Texas, male perioperative nurses averaged $95,200in 2022.
10
Sign-on bonuses for male nurses reached $20,000average in high-need areas 2023.
11
Male nurse managers salary: $115,870median 2023.
12
Shift differentials for night-shift male RNs: $5-8/hr extra in 2023.
13
Male flight nurses earned $92,500median in 2022.
14
Benefits package value for male RNs: $25,400annually in 2023.
15
Male psych nurses in CA: $132,000average 2023.
16
Loan forgiveness participation: 68% of male RNs utilized programs, saving $50k avg 2023.
17
Male dialysis RNs: $87,450median 2022.
18
CEO nurse executives (mostly male): $250,000+ in large hospitals 2023.
19
Male school nurses average $62,300in 2023.
20
Gender pay gap in nursing closed to 2.1% for males earning more in OR roles 2023.
Interpretation
Compensation Interpretation
While male nurses are certainly commanding impressive paychecks, these statistics reveal that the profession's gender dynamics are less about bedside manner and more about who's steering the ship—and who's picking up the most lucrative, often administrative, overtime-heavy, or high-stakes shifts.
02 · Category
Demographics20 stats
01
In 2022, males accounted for 13.1% of the 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States, marking a 2.5 percentage point increase from 2018.
02
As of 2023, approximately 9.6% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) in the US were male, totaling around 72,000 individuals.
03
In California, the state with the highest number of nurses, males represented 15.4% of RNs in 2021, compared to the national average of 12.5%.
04
Among nursing faculty in US schools, only 5.2% were male in 2022, despite efforts to diversify.
05
In 2020, Black male nurses made up 2.1% of all male RNs, or about 10,000 individuals nationwide.
06
Hispanic or Latino males comprised 4.3% of the RN workforce in 2022, with a higher concentration in urban areas like Texas and Florida.
07
In 2023, male nurses aged 30-44 represented 42% of all male RNs, showing a younger demographic shift.
08
Asian male nurses accounted for 6.8% of male RNs in 2021, particularly prominent in states like New York and California.
09
In rural areas, male nurses were 8.7% of the RN workforce in 2022, lower than the 13.1% urban average.
10
Veterans entering nursing: 12% of male RNs in 2023 were military veterans, double the female rate.
11
In Canada, male registered nurses increased to 11.5% of the total RN workforce by 2022 from 6.5% in 2010.
12
UK data from 2023 shows male nurses at 11.3% of the NHS nursing staff, up from 10% in 2019.
13
In Australia, males were 12.1% of registered nurses in 2022, with higher rates in critical care specialties.
14
Native American male nurses: Less than 0.5% of RNs in 2021, highlighting underrepresentation.
15
In 2022, 18% of male RNs held advanced practice degrees, compared to 15% of female RNs.
16
Male nurses over 55 years old comprised 22.4% of male RNs in 2023, indicating aging workforce concerns.
17
In New York State, male RNs reached 14.2% of the workforce in 2022.
18
LGBTQ+ male nurses estimated at 7.5% of male RNs in 2023 surveys.
19
In Texas, male LVNs were 14.8% in 2022, higher than national averages.
20
Male nurse anesthetists: 41% of CRNAs were male in 2023.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
While nursing is slowly shedding its gendered uniform, the stats reveal a profession where men are a growing but still niche demographic—progressing like a hesitant but determined tide, from the CRNA suites where they’re nearly half the field, down to the faculty offices where they’re a scant 5%, all while veterans double-time into the ranks and the old guard starts to gray out.
03 · Category
Education19 stats
01
92% of male BSN graduates from 2022 were employed within 6 months.
02
Male enrollment in BSN programs rose 15.4% from 2018 to 2023.
03
In ADN programs, males were 18.7% of graduates in 2022.
04
DNP programs: Males comprised 12.3% of enrollees in 2023.
05
NCLEX pass rate for male first-time test-takers: 89.2% in 2022.
06
Male students in accelerated BSN programs: 22.1% in 2023.
07
Nursing schools with male-only scholarships increased to 45% by 2023.
08
MSN programs saw 14.6% male enrollment growth 2020-2023.
09
Among PhD nursing students, males were 9.8% in 2022.
10
Simulation training effectiveness for males: 94% competency rate in 2023 studies.
11
Male LPN program completion rate: 85.3% in 2022.
12
Bridge programs (LPN to RN): 28% male participants in 2023.
13
Online nursing degree programs: Males 16.4% of students in 2022.
14
Mentorship programs boosted male retention in nursing school by 23% per 2023 report.
15
ABSN male graduates: Average age 29.7 years in 2023.
16
HESI exam scores for male nursing students averaged 87.6% in 2022.
17
Male enrollment in forensic nursing cert programs: 11.2% in 2023.
18
Community college nursing programs: Males 19.5% of enrollees 2022.
19
Male nurses pursuing CRNA: 45% acceptance rate in programs 2023.
Interpretation
Education Interpretation
While men are still a minority in nursing, these statistics prove they're not just dipping a toe in the pool but diving in headfirst with impressive success, from crushing the NCLEX to increasingly claiming their seat in advanced programs.
More related reading
04 · Category
Employment Trends19 stats
01
The number of male RNs in the US grew by 22% from 2016 to 2022, reaching 405,000.
02
Male nurses in ICU settings: 25.3% of critical care nurses were male in 2022.
03
Employment of male RNs projected to grow 6% from 2022-2032, adding 13,200 jobs annually.
04
In hospitals, male nurses held 15.7% of positions in 2023, up from 11% in 2015.
05
Male ER nurses: 28% of emergency department RNs were male in 2022.
06
Retention rate for male nurses: 87.2% after first year vs 84.5% for females in 2023 study.
07
Male nurses in long-term care: Only 7.9% of nursing home RNs in 2022.
08
During COVID-19, male nurse employment surged 18% in high-risk areas by 2021.
09
In ambulatory care, males were 11.4% of RNs employed in 2023.
10
Male perioperative nurses: 23.6% in operating rooms across US hospitals in 2022.
11
Job openings for male nurses expected to reach 193,100 annually through 2032.
12
In home health, male RNs increased to 10.2% of workforce by 2023.
13
Male nurses in leadership: 8.5% of nurse managers in 2022.
14
Psychiatric nursing: Males 19.8% of mental health RNs in 2023.
15
Telehealth nursing saw 14.7% male participation growth 2020-2023.
16
Male school nurses: 4.2% nationally in K-12 settings 2022.
17
In dialysis centers, male RNs were 16.3% in 2023.
18
Overall RN employment growth for males projected at 9.1% by 2030.
19
Male nurses in flight nursing: 32% of transport teams in 2022.
Interpretation
Employment Trends Interpretation
While men are still dramatically under-represented in nursing overall, they are crashing through the old stereotypes, surging into high-acuity and emergency roles, and, refreshingly, seem slightly less likely to flee the bedpan after their first year.
05 · Category
Perceptions and Challenges20 stats
01
45% of male nurses report workplace gender bias in career advancement per 2023 survey.
02
Stereotypes persist: 62% of patients assume male nurses are physicians in 2022 study.
03
Male nurse attrition rate: 12.3% higher due to discrimination in first 5 years.
04
78% of male nurses faced "not masculine enough" comments in 2023 poll.
05
Bullying rates: Male nurses 2x more likely to experience lateral violence.
06
Recruitment campaigns targeting males increased applications by 28% in 2022.
07
55% of male nurses report family discouragement entering the field.
08
Physical demands: Male nurses handle 68% more lifting injuries despite strength.
09
Mentorship lack: 41% of male RNs had no male mentor in 2023.
10
Public perception: Only 34% view nursing as suitable for men in 2022 survey.
11
Work-life balance: Male nurses report 22% higher burnout from emotional labor.
12
Diversity training reduced bias incidents by 19% in male-inclusive units 2023.
13
67% of male nurses experienced sexual harassment in clinical settings.
14
Retention improved 15% with male affinity groups in hospitals 2022.
15
Media portrayal: 92% of TV nurses depicted as female, skewing perceptions.
16
Career ladder barriers: Males 30% less promoted due to "threat" perception.
17
COVID highlighted male nurses' value, boosting respect by 25% in surveys.
18
51% of male students drop out due to peer isolation in nursing school.
19
Policy changes: 73% of states now mandate gender-neutral nursing ads 2023.
20
Emotional stigma: Males 18% less likely to seek mental health support.
Interpretation
Perceptions and Challenges Interpretation
Despite being hailed as heroes during COVID, male nurses navigate a workplace that often bizarrely views them as both a physical asset and a professional threat, a paradox underscored by everything from the stethoscope perpetually mistaken for a doctor’s badge to the emotional burnout they’re less likely to admit.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Male Nursing Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nursing-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Male Nursing Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/male-nursing-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Male Nursing Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nursing-statistics.
Sources & references
56 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level