How Much Do Data Abstraction Nurses Make

How Much Do Data Abstraction Nurses Make?

Abby McCoy, RN, BSN

Updated

Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff

Several factors can influence data abstraction nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Data abstraction nurses generally earn a little more than other registered nurses (RNs), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective data abstraction nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.

Just the Highlights: Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries

Data abstraction nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:

Washington, D.C.

$112,916

Berkeley, CA

$122,047

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

$119,030

How Much Do Data Abstraction Nurses Make?

In the U.S., data abstraction nurses make an average of $47.93 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $99,696 per year, which puts data abstraction nurse salaries well above average.

Data abstraction nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.

Data abstraction nurse average annual salary

$99,696

Data abstraction nurse average hourly wage

$47.93

According to ZipRecruiter, data abstraction nurses can make an average of$74,000 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $136,000.


Source: ZipRecruiter

How Education Affects Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries

All data abstraction nurses must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), 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. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.

When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, data abstraction nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and many employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.

DegreeAnnual Average Salary
ADN$75,000
BSN$92,000

Source: Nursing World

How Specialty Certification Affects Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries

Data abstraction nurses can earn specialty certifications through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), like the Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.

Location and Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries

As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.

Top-Paying Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries by State

In general, the coasts offer the highest pay for data abstraction nurses, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.

Washington, D.C.$112,916
Alaska$110,286
Massachusetts$109,466
New York$109,071
Washington$107,329
Vermont$106,002
North Dakota$105,487
Oregon$105,407
Colorado$104,832
Nevada$104,277
South Dakota$103,895
Hawaii$103,580
New Jersey$101,215
Delaware$99,782
California$98,391
Rhode Island$97,634
New Hampshire$96,955
Virginia$96,438
Illinois$96,007
Wyoming$95,830
Maryland$94,700
Connecticut$94,480
Mississippi$94,419
Idaho$93,804
Iowa$93,641
Missouri$93,515
Arizona$92,906
Nebraska$92,745
Pennsylvania$91,924
Montana$91,506
Wisconsin$91,188
South Carolina$91,167
Utah$90,760
Maine$90,593
Tennessee$90,486
Alabama$90,363
Oklahoma$89,816
North Carolina$89,286
Kansas$88,914
Minnesota$88,158
Texas$87,950
New Mexico$87,573
Indiana$86,901
Kentucky$86,573
Michigan$85,915
Ohio$85,667
Arkansas$82,439
Georgia$77,112
Louisiana$76,970
West Virginia$70,994
Florida$68,245

Source: ZipRecruiter

Top-Paying Data Abstraction Nurse 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 data abstraction nurses work for a large insurance company in a city of millions, they will probably earn more than those who work with a small health technology company in a rural area.

Metropolitan areaHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
Berkeley, CA$58.68$122,047
New York City, NY$56.77$118,079
Renton, WA$56.46$117,429
Santa Monica, CA$56.06$116,611
Daly City, CA$55.53$115,500
Baileys Crossroads, VA$55.36$115,159
Auburn, WA$54.83$114,055
Boston, MA$54.53$113,417
Wausau, WI$54.34$113,035
San Mateo, CA$54.03$112,389

Source: ZipRecruiter

Workplace Type and Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries

Data abstraction nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many data abstraction nurses, insurance companies and hospital positions pay the highest.

IndustryHourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals$57.23$119,030
Insurance Companies$57.17$118,909
Remote (work from home)$47.93$99,696

Source: ZipRecruiter

How Fast Can a Data Abstraction Nurse’s Salary Grow?

A data abstraction nurse’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 nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.

How to Increase Your Earnings as a Data Abstraction Nurse

Data abstraction nurses 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. Earn a Higher Degree

For data abstraction nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential.

2. Try a New Location

Compensation for data abstraction nurses often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.

3. Earn Certification

By earning a specialty certification, data abstraction nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.

4. Transfer to a New Work Setting

If a current work setting cannot increase a data abstraction nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.

Data Abstraction Nurse Salaries FAQs

   1. What role offers the highest pay for data abstraction nurses?

The highest-paid data abstraction nurses are those working in General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, who make an average of $119,030 a year, or $57.23 per hour.

   2. What do data abstraction nurses make per hour?

Data abstraction nurses make an average of $47.93 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.

   3. Which state and city pay data abstraction nurses the best?

According to ZipRecruiter, Washington, D.C. offers the highest pay for all RNs at $54.29 per hour, or $112,916 a year. Berkeley, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $58.68 per hour ($122,047 per year).

   4. How can data abstraction nurses get paid more?

Data abstraction nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.

   5. Which degree gives data abstraction nurses the highest pay?

To become a data abstraction nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers the highest pay for data abstraction nurses.