Nursing Jobs in Phoenix, Arizona

The fifth largest city in the United States employs an estimated 230,000 healthcare workers. That means you’ll have your pick of great nursing jobs in Phoenix. The city also has much to offer in terms of culture and history — all at a relatively affordable cost of living. Learn more about what Phoenix has in store for nursing professionals.

Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

• Is Arizona a compact state? Yes.
• How much do nurses make in Phoenix?The average annual salary for RN jobs in Phoenix is $87,410, compared to the national average RN salary of $89,010.
• Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Arizona? You can visit the Arizona State Board of Nursing for up-to-date information.

What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Phoenix

Almost 1.6 million people live in Phoenix, an area of about 500 square miles. There are ample opportunities for full-time, part-time, contract, and per diem work whether you’re seeking RN, CNA, or LPN jobs.

Cultural competence is highly valued among candidates who are applying to nursing jobs — Phoenix is a diverse city: 43% of residents are of Hispanic ethnicity; 7% are Black; and around 4% are Asian. If you can speak a language other than English — Spanish, especially — it will likely go a long way in boosting your hireability.

The median age of residents is around 33, with a roughly equal number of women and men. People ages 65 and over make up around 11% of the population. Nearly 45% of residents are married; 33% are married with children; and 24% are not married but have children.

If you need help looking after your kids or your pets while you’re busy with nursing jobs, Phoenix has you covered. The city offers early childhood development and family support programs for infants and toddlers; during the school year, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department's Phoenix Afterschool Center has educational activities for kids ages 6 to 13.

Additionally, the city happens to boast the second highest percentage of households with dogs and third highest percentage of households with cats in the country. Living in an area with those kinds of statistics, you can easily find a pet sitter to walk your dog or feed your cat while you’re working a double.

Working in Phoenix

If you live and are employed in Phoenix, you’ll likely want to own a car. The vast majority (75%) of the workforce drives alone to their job, which takes around 24 minutes. The Valley Metro buses and light rail system run 365 days per year, but just 3% of residents commute via mass transit.

Trade, transportation, and utilities; professional and business services; education and health services; government; and leisure/hospitality are among the leading industries in Phoenix. The largest employers in the city are:

• Banner Health
• Apollo Group Inc.
• Honeywell
• American Express
• St. Joseph’s Hospital

You’ll find many nursing jobs in Phoenix in the following hospitals, the largest in the city:

• Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix
• Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
• Banner Desert Medical Center
• Maricopa Integrated Health System
• Banner Thunderbird Medical Center

In addition to private hospitals that are hiring for nursing jobs, Phoenix has numerous sliding-fee clinics offered by the Arizona Department of Health Services. If you’re a nursing professional who prefers to work in long-term care, Phoenix has 80 nursing homes, not to mention the Senior Adult Independent Living (SAIL) program, which provides home nursing and other resources to residents ages 60 and older, as well as to individuals 18 to 59 who have physical disabilities.

Living in Phoenix

The sun shines on Phoenix for 85% of the day — more than any other metropolitan area in the country. Ironically, the Sonoran Desert (where greater Phoenix is located) is among North America’s wettest and greenest deserts, receiving an average rainfall of three to 15 inches each year. Phoenix itself gets about 8 inches of rain annually, and has a year-round average of 75 degrees.

With a climate like this, there’s plenty to do outside. Covering over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve has more than 50 miles of trails for walking, biking, and horseback riding, making it one of the largest municipal parks in North America. If you like to golf, Phoenix is a prime destination. The area comprises 160 golf clubs and 185 courses. You can also cool off at one of the six lakes located within 75 miles.

For art and culture, Phoenix has numerous offerings. The Heard Museum is dedicated to advancing American Indian art through its permanent collection, exhibits, educational programming, and festivals. Explore the surrounding environment at the Desert Botanical Garden, which contains the largest collection of desert plants in the world. There’s also the Phoenix Art Museum (the largest in the Southwest), the Arizona Science Center, and the S'edav Va'aki Museum, formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park.

Hit up Roosevelt Row, the downtown arts district for various events, plus music, galleries, craft cocktails, and plenty to eat. Food enthusiasts have their choice of many excellent Phoenix restaurants, from fine dining to low-key barbeque and tacos.

When you’re looking to travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport can get you where you need to go. That said, the only international destinations you can reach via direct flight are Canada, Mexico, Germany, and England. There are a number of day trips that you can take in under three hours by car. Among your options: Explore the spas of Sedona, cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument, and historic downtown Prescott.

The weather in Phoenix is scorching and dry in the summer, and pleasantly cool in the winter. Temperatures range from 45 degrees to 107 degrees over the year. July is the hottest month, and December is the coldest.

Thinking of relocating for nursing jobs in Phoenix? The cost of living is only around 4.3% higher than the rest of the country. Real estate isn’t cheap, however. A home will set you back around $498,000, compared to the nation’s average of $451,000, and monthly rents are nearly $2,100, which is 52% higher than the national average.

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