How Much Do Nurse Attorneys Make?
Several factors can influence nurse attorney salaries, including experience, workplace, and geographic location. Nurse attorneys hold multiple degrees: one in nursing and one in law. While most lawyers in the health field have no medical experience, nurse attorneys gain knowledge from both areas, offering invaluable insights to clients and colleagues. Although nurse attorneys often leave direct patient care, they still support patients by advocating for their safety and better healthcare practices.
Nurse attorneys earn more than other registered nurses (RN), according to the career website ZipRecruiter. This guide will walk any prospective nurse attorney through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Nurse Attorney Salaries
Nurse attorneys can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
New York
$109,093
Santa Clara, CA
$125,321
Law Firms
$144,688
How Much Do Nurse Attorneys Make?
In the U.S., nurse attorneys make an average of $47.27 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. This rate equals approximately $98,330 per year, which puts the salaries of nurse attorneys well above average.
Nurse attorney compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Nurse attorney average annual salary
$98,330
Nurse attorney average hourly wage
$47.27
In the lower salary range, nurse attorneys can make an average of $40,500, while the higher-end averages closer to $158,000, according to ZipRecruiter.
Source: ZipRecruiter
How Education Affects Nurse Attorney Salaries
All nurse attorneys 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 or a degree in an unrelated field. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
When a nurse decides to pursue law school, they must successfully pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Following a successful outcome, they can apply for and attend the law school they choose. It usually takes around three years to earn a JD, which stands for Juris Doctor or Doctor of Jurisprudence. Similar to RN licenses, lawyers are licensed according to state laws. Once lawyers graduate from their university, they may apply for admittance to their state bar.
To be accepted into the bar, aspiring nurse attorneys must pass a licensing exam known as the “bar exam.” If they decide to work in a different state, they must apply to the bar in that state, although exam results will transfer to other state applications.
Location and Nurse Attorney Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Nurse Attorney Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer nurse attorneys the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| New York | $109,093 |
| Vermont | $107,215 |
| California | $105,303 |
| Maine | $102,260 |
| Idaho | $101,164 |
| Washington | $100,374 |
| Washington, D.C. | $100,374 |
| Nebraska | $100,305 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,912 |
| Alabama | $99,008 |
| Massachusetts | $98,690 |
| Alaska | $98,065 |
| New Jersey | $97,703 |
| New Hampshire | $97,471 |
| Oregon | $96,946 |
| North Dakota | $96,849 |
| Wisconsin | $96,230 |
| Wyoming | $95,367 |
| Hawaii | $95,011 |
| Colorado | $94,499 |
| Indiana | $93,697 |
| Nevada | $92,724 |
| Minnesota | $92,338 |
| Arizona | $91,759 |
| South Dakota | $91,533 |
| Montana | $90,377 |
| Ohio | $89,932 |
| Rhode Island | $89,796 |
| Delaware | $89,628 |
| Virginia | $88,655 |
| Connecticut | $88,043 |
| Iowa | $87,876 |
| Kentucky | $87,332 |
| Illinois | $87,210 |
| Mississippi | $87,094 |
| Maryland | $86,882 |
| Tennessee | $85,861 |
| Utah | $85,641 |
| Arkansas | $84,941 |
| Missouri | $84,119 |
| South Carolina | $83,268 |
| Georgia | $83,141 |
| Oklahoma | $82,568 |
| Texas | $82,459 |
| Kansas | $81,991 |
| North Carolina | $81,549 |
| Louisiana | $80,619 |
| New Mexico | $80,255 |
| Michigan | $78,301 |
| West Virginia | $77,163 |
| Florida | $73,580 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Top-Paying Nurse Attorney Salaries by City
The cost of living doesn’t just differ by state but by population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if nurse attorneys work for a large law firm 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 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $60.25 | $125,321 |
| San Francisco, CA | $57.54 | $119,690 |
| Marysville, WA | $56.85 | $118,256 |
| San Jose, CA | $55.76 | $115,989 |
| Bolinas, CA | $55.16 | $114,733 |
| Alexandria, VA | $54.90 | $114,202 |
| Oakland, CA | $54.58 | $113,516 |
| Hayward, CA | $54.48 | $113,322 |
| Ashland, CA | $54.48 | $113,311 |
| Vallejo, CA | $54.36 | $113,072 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Workplace Type and Nurse Attorney Salaries
Nurse attorney compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For many nurse attorneys, working in law firms or for insurance companies pays the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Law Firms | $69.56 | $144,688 |
| Insurance Companies | $64.54 | $134,237 |
| Government | $52.00 | $108,160 |
| Hospitals/Pharmaceutical Companies | $47.27 | $98,330 |
| Universities | $47.27 | $98,330 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Nurse Attorney Job Outlook
The job outlook for nurse attorneys is high, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They project an 8% growth through 2032, which is faster than average. With medical errors and malpractice an ever-present part of the health system, nurse attorneys have the opportunity to do a lot of good in their communities and earn a high salary at the same time.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Nurse Attorney
Nurse attorneys can increase their salary in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and role, and these factors can lead to a higher salary.
1. Try a New Location
Compensation for nurse attorneys 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.
2. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a nurse attorney’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay
3. Start Their Own Business
Some nurse attorneys find they can earn higher compensation by going into business for themselves as entrepreneurs.
Nurse Attorney Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for nurse attorneys?
The highest-paid nurse attorneys are those working in Law Firms, who make an average of $144,688 a year, or $69.56 per hour.
2. What do nurse attorneys make per hour?
Nurse attorneys make an average of $47.27 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay nurse attorneys the best?
According to ZipRecruiter, New York offers the highest pay for all RNs at $52.45 per hour, or $109,093 a year. Santa Clare, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $60.25 per hour ($125,321 per year).
4. How can nurse attorneys get paid more?
Nurse attorneys can try a new location, transfer to a new work environment, or start their own business, all of which could potentially increase pay.
