How Much Do Forensic Nurses Make?
Forensic nursing salaries can vary based on several factors, such as experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. However, forensic nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN) in similar locations and workplaces. This guide will walk any prospective forensic nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Forensic Nurse Salaries
Forensic nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Employment Services
$110,230
These numbers are averages, and when you combine factors, they can vary enormously. For example, a forensic nurse working in a New York City emergency room will probably make more than a forensic nurse working in a rural community clinic.
How Much Do Forensic Nurses Make?
Forensic nurses make an average of $94,480 in the U.S., according to the BLS. Hourly pay for forensic nurses averages $45.42, but wages can vary depending on the situation.
Forensic nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Forensic nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some forensic nurses may be eligible for overtime and evening/weekend pay differentials. Certain employers may also offer sign-on bonuses.
Based on the details laid out in this guide, a forensic nurse’s salary can range from the lower average of $30.63 to an above average $63.79, according to BLS data.
Here’s how the forensic nurse pay bell curve plays out according to the BLS:
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Forensic Nurse Salaries
Aspiring forensic nurses can achieve their required education via a few different paths. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offers a shorter option, typically finished in two years. To get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students attend four years of nursing school. Some BSN programs offer an accelerated option, which can be finished in as little as a year, but requires a previous degree or several prerequisites.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, forensic nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
Further levels of education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), will raise a forensic nurse’s salary but will also change their role.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| ADN | $75,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Forensic Nurse Salaries
A forensic nurse with specialty certification can offer more value to their employer than a new nurse with no experience, and their pay will reflect this. Once a nurse has some experience in their field, they can apply to test for certification in that specialty, and some employers may require certification before RNs are eligible for hiring.
Forensic nurses can pursue these certifications:
Any of these forensic nursing certifications prove expertise in the specialty and can result in a higher salary on hiring or a pay raise.
Location and Forensic Nurse Salaries
Salary offerings are often based partially on the cost of living in the area and the current demand for forensic nurses. Some locations offer nursing unions, which can also mean higher salaries.
Top-Paying Forensic Nurse Salaries by State
The West Coast and Northeastern states pay forensic nurses the most, and some Midwest and Southeast states pay the least.
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Forensic Nurse Salaries by City
Like many other occupations across the country, forensic nursing salaries are higher in urban areas. For example, wages from all types of employment are higher in New York City than they are in a small rural town in the Midwest.
Cities have a higher population, a higher cost of living, and more demand for health services. Because of these factors, organizations in big cities can usually pay more than those in smaller communities.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Forensic Nurse Salaries
Forensic nurses who work as consultants may earn higher salaries than RNs in a clinical setting. According to ZipRecruiter, forensic nurses make the most in these positions.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Forensic Nurse Practitioner | $130,295 | $62.64 |
| Senior Forensic Consultant | $117,804 | $56.64 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Fast Can a Forensic Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A forensic nurse’s salary grows based on professional development and higher education. Forensic nursing pay also rises with each year of experience. Forensic nurses can pursue higher salaries through certification, advanced degrees, and employment at larger organizations or higher-paying locations.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Forensic Nurse
Any nurse can improve their salary by taking steps toward elevating their professional status. The nursing field in the U.S. is on the rise and the BLS reports an expected growth rate of 6% through 2032. We’ve laid out some simple tips below to supercharge any nursing career.
1. Get Certified
Professional certifications showcase expertise and elevate any candidate’s desirability for employers. A current employer may increase pay to keep a certified forensic nurse and a prospective employer will likely choose a forensic nurse with certification over another without.
2. Earn an Advanced Degree
For forensic nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees like an MSN or DNP for even higher salaries.
3. Pursue Management
Forensic nurses who take on more responsibility and leadership roles can earn higher compensation. Nursing leadership roles can include managing a forensics team or pursuing administrative roles in a health system.
4. Change Your Workplace
Consulting pays forensic nurses the best, so any forensic nurse working outside that setting can try offering consulting services to earn higher pay.
Forensic Nursing Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for forensic nurses?
The highest-paid forensic nurses are those working for Employment Services, who make an average of $94,480 a year, or $45.42 per hour.
2. What do forensic nurses make per hour?
Forensic nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay forensic nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries, at $45.42 per hour ($94,480 per year).
