How Much Do Nurse Researchers Make?
Nurse researchers collaborate in teams to conduct studies that enhance patient care, innovate testing and treatments, or advance nursing education and practice. Registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice nurses can pursue this specialty, and education level may impact salary. This guide can assist any prospective nurse researcher through the details of salary expectations in the nursing research field.
Just the Highlights: Nurse Researcher Salaries
Nurse researchers can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Outpatient Care Centers
$102,640
How Much Do Nurse Researchers Make?
In the U.S., nurse researchers make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts nurse researcher salaries well above the national average.
Nurse researcher compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Nurse researcher average annual salary
$94,480
Nurse researcher average hourly wage
$45.42
In the lower salary range, nurse researchers can make an average of $63,720, while the higher end averages closer to $132,680, according to the BLS.
BLS Nurse Researcher Salary Range:
How Education Affects Nurse Researcher Salaries
All nurse researchers must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning 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 their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, hopeful nurse researchers may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Nurse researchers 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 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Nurse Researcher Salaries
Nurse researchers can earn specialty certifications through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals:
The designations demonstrate expertise in clinical research study coordination and monitoring, so holders of one or both may receive higher salaries.
Location and Nurse Researcher Salaries
As with most professional salaries, the cost of living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Nurse Researcher Salaries by State
In general, the coasts offer nurse researchers the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| Top-Paying States for Nurse Researchers: |
|---|
| State | Average Salary |
| 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 Nurse Researcher Salaries by City
The cost of living doesn’t just differ by state but by population density. Many more people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if they work for a large teaching hospital in a city of millions, they will likely earn more than nurse researchers who work with a small non-profit in a rural area.
| Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse Researchers: |
|---|
| 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 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Nurse Researcher Salaries
Nurse researcher compensation can also vary based on the work environment. Any position in a for-profit organization, like a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, for example, can make a high salary. However, government and hospital-based employment does not lag far behind.
| Top-Paying Industries for Nurse Researchers: |
|---|
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $49.35 | $102,640 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $46.55 | $96,830 |
| Home Health Care Services | $42.03 | $87,430 |
| Offices of Physicians | $39.96 | $83,110 |
Source: BLS
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Nurse Researcher
Nurse researchers can increase their salary by following many paths. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors pave the way to a higher research nurse salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
Nurse researchers with a postgraduate degree, such as an MSN or a DNP, may earn more than those with an ADN or BSN.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for nurse researchers 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, nurse researchers can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their research team, allowing nurses to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a nurse researcher’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Nurse Researcher Salaries FAQs
1. What is the highest-paid role in nursing research?
According to the BLS, the highest-paid nurse researcher role is working in Outpatient Care Centers, who can make $102,640 per year.
2. Are research nurses in demand?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes nurse researchers in its “Registered Nurses” category. The BLS projects a 6% growth in this field through 2032, which is higher than average.
3. What do nurse researchers make per hour?
On average, nurse researchers earn $45.42 an hour, which is about $94,480 per year. These numbers can vary based on experience, location, and role.
