Night Shift Differential Calculator
See exactly what nights and weekends add to your pay — per week, per month, per year, and as a raise-equivalent percentage. Works for staff and travel nurses.
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
$47.00/hr
Your Night Rate
$180/wk
Extra From Nights
$851/mo
Total Differential Income
$10,224/yr
Annual Differential Value
Working 36 night hours/week at a $5/hr differential plus 24 weekend hours/month at $3/hr adds $10,224/year over the same schedule on days — an effective rate of $47.46/hr vs your $42/hr base (13.0% raise equivalent).
Typical Differentials in 2026
| Differential | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nights | $3–$8/hr (10–20%) | Higher at academic centers & West Coast |
| Weekends | $2–$5/hr | Stacks with nights on weekend nights |
| Evenings (3–11) | $1.50–$4/hr | Where 8-hour shifts survive |
| Charge duty | $1.50–$3/hr | Separate from shift differentials |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical night shift differential for nurses?
Most hospitals pay $3–$8/hour extra for night shifts, or 10–20% of base rate. Academic medical centers and West Coast hospitals trend higher ($6–$12/hr); some southern and rural facilities pay less. Weekend differentials typically add another $2–$5/hour, and they stack with night differentials for weekend nights.
How much more do night shift nurses make per year?
A nurse working full-time nights (36 hours/week) at a $5/hour differential earns about $9,360/year more than the same job on days. At a $10/hour differential — common in high-cost markets — it's $18,720/year. Stacked weekend-night differentials push many full-time night nurses to $12,000–$25,000/year above day-shift pay.
Do travel nurses get night shift differentials?
Sometimes — and it's a negotiation point most travelers miss. Some contracts quote one blended rate regardless of shift; others pay a facility differential on top of the taxable base rate. Always ask whether the quoted rate assumes nights, and if you're taking a night contract at a day-rate quote, counter for the differential.
Is night shift differential taxed differently?
No — differential pay is ordinary taxable wages, taxed exactly like base pay. For travel nurses, that means differentials (unlike stipends) are taxed, but they also count toward overtime calculations and Social Security earnings.
Is working nights worth it financially?
Run your numbers above, then weigh the annual figure against the real costs: sleep disruption, health effects, and social tradeoffs. As a pure raise-equivalent, a $5–8/hr differential is a 12–20% raise for the same job — hard to match through any other single decision except changing markets or specialties.