How Much Do Clinical Nurse Leaders Make?
Several factors can influence clinical nurse leader salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) typically earn more than registered nurses (RNs), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective clinical nurse leader through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries
Clinical nurse leaders can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$179,160
Trenton, NJ
$193,730
Offices of Physicians
$134,330
How Much Do Clinical Nurse Leaders Make?
In the U.S., clinical nurse leaders make an average of $64.63 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $134,440 per year, which puts CNL salaries well above average.
Clinical nurse leader compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Clinical nurse leader average annual salary
$134,440
Clinical nurse leader average hourly wage
$64.63
In the lower salary range, clinical nurse leaders can make an average of $67,900, while the higher end averages closer to $216,750, according to the BLS.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries
All clinical nurse leaders must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites and a degree in an unrelated field. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, hopeful clinical nurse leaders will need to pursue a higher education path. CNLs can choose to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years to complete. Others graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes longer but may offer higher salaries.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $74,000 |
| BSN | $91,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries
Clinical nurse leaders can earn CNL Certification through the Commission on Nurse Certification. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer the highest pay for clinical nurse leaders, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| New York | $179,160 |
| Washington, D.C. | $170,710 |
| Delaware | $164,190 |
| New Jersey | $162,430 |
| Massachusetts | $158,540 |
| California | $156,140 |
| Washington | $152,880 |
| Maryland | $150,590 |
| New Hampshire | $150,090 |
| Oregon | $149,450 |
| Alaska | $148,550 |
| Wisconsin | $148,460 |
| Connecticut | $148,370 |
| Georgia | $146,700 |
| Montana | $144,990 |
| Colorado | $143,120 |
| Hawaii | $137,740 |
| Virginia | $136,370 |
| Arizona | $135,310 |
| Rhode Island | $134,620 |
| North Dakota | $132,940 |
| Illinois | $131,980 |
| South Dakota | $131,910 |
| West Virginia | $130,850 |
| New Mexico | $130,790 |
| Vermont | $130,510 |
| Minnesota | $129,350 |
| North Carolina | $127,620 |
| South Carolina | $126,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $125,860 |
| Utah | $125,550 |
| Idaho | $124,500 |
| Tennessee | $124,190 |
| Florida | $124,070 |
| Nevada | $120,770 |
| Texas | $120,200 |
| Ohio | $118,940 |
| Michigan | $118,870 |
| Maine | $118,410 |
| Missouri | $116,370 |
| Kansas | $115,480 |
| Nebraska | $115,090 |
| Oklahoma | $113,940 |
| Louisiana | $113,400 |
| Indiana | $112,690 |
| Iowa | $109,880 |
| Kentucky | $109,640 |
| Wyoming | $107,750 |
| Alabama | $99,270 |
| Arkansas | $97,250 |
| Mississippi | $95,140 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries by City
The cost of living differs by state and population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if clinical nurse leaders work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small non-profit in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Trenton, NJ | $93.14 | $193,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $89.69 | $186,560 |
| New York-Newark, Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86.22 | $179,330 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84.92 | $176,640 |
| Napa, CA | $83.04 | $172,730 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $79.78 | $165,940 |
| Danbury, CT | $79.76 | $165,910 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $79.32 | $164,990 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | $78.49 | $163,250 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $77.44 | $161,070 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries
Clinical nurse leader compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many clinical nurse leaders, physician’s offices and hospital positions pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Offices of Physicians | $64.58 | $134,330 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $62.26 | $129,500 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $61.89 | $128,740 |
| Government | $60.38 | $125,590 |
| Home Health Care Services | $52.55 | $109,300 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $51.21 | $106,520 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Clinical Nurse Leader’s Salary Grow?
A clinical nurse leader’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.
Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a CNL changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Clinical Nurse Leader
Clinical nurse leaders can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Try a New Location
Compensation for CNLs often depends on location, and moving to a new city can result in a higher salary. However, a higher salary may also mean a higher cost of living.
2. Earn Certification
By earning a specialty certification, clinical nurse leaders can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
3. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a clinical nurse leader’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Clinical Nurse Leader Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for clinical nurse leaders?
The highest-paid clinical nurse leaders are those working in Offices of Physicians, who make an average of $134,330 a year, or $64.58 per hour.
2. What do clinical nurse leaders make per hour?
Clinical nurse leaders make an average of $64.63 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay clinical nurse leaders the best?
According to the BLS, New York offers the highest pay for all RNs at $86.13 per hour, or $179,160 a year. Trenton, NJ, boasts the highest salaries at $93.14 per hour ($193,730 per year).
4. How can clinical nurse leaders get paid more?
CNLs can try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.
