From regional facilities to large health systems, health care jobs in Arizona are bountiful. Arizona is a mix of majestic mountain ranges, swift rivers, lush grasslands and surreal sand dunes. It is a vibrant blend of diverse cultural influences, with Native American, Spanish/Mexican, and Anglo-American populations that give this state an exciting cultural diversity. But, these same groups need professional nurses to help them with such specialties as respiratory therapist technician, x-ray technicians, speech pathologists (SLP), occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT), surgical technologists and radiologists.

Becoming a Nurse in Arizona

Arizona offers students a wide variety of nursing education, including The Arizona State University (ASU) College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation in Phoenix. This program has evolved from a small baccalaureate program to one of the largest nursing colleges in the U.S. with bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. At the other end of the spectrum, Mesa Community College in Mesa offers the LPN/LVN option with an associate degree, an associate’s degree in nursing, and programs for nursing assistants. Students also can attend the Scottsdale Community College for EMT training and for an associate’s degree in nursing.

Nursing Jobs in Arizona

Nursing salaries in Arizona fluctuate depending upon degree earned, location and size of the employer’s facility, and the nurse’s experience. But, the range of salaries across the state does not vary wildly. For instance, an RN in Arizona can earn anywhere from $46,000 to $128,000. If you want to be more specific, the emergency RN who works in Tucson can earn about $59,000 per year, whereas that same nurse could earn about $58,000 per year in Phoenix. Some of the largest employers in the state include Banner Health of Phoenix, Scottsdale Healthcare and Catholic Healthcare West, with locations in Chandler, Gilbert and Phoenix.