How Much Do Nurse Writers Make?

Several factors can influence nurse writer’s salaries, including experience, workplace, and education level. On average, nurse writers earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), according to a comparison between the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and ZipRecruiter’s salary reports, which is more than the average U.S. salary. This guide will walk any prospective nurse writer through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on maximizing earning potential in this field.

Just the Highlights: Nurse Writer Salaries

Nurse writers can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:

How Much Do Nurse Writers Make?

In the U.S., nurse writers make an average of $42.11 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $87,590 per year.

Nurse writer compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.

According to the BLS, nurse writers can make an average of $40,900 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $148,240.

How Education Affects Nurse Writer Salaries

All nurse writers 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 their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.

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

After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, aspiring nurse writers may choose to pursue higher education, although this is not required for this career path. Nurse writers can 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.

How Specialty Certification Affects Nurse Writer Salaries

Nurse writers can earn specialty certifications through the Medical Writing Certification Commission (MWCC), which partnered with the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) to develop the Medical Writer Certified (MWC) credential. Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.

Location and Nurse Writer Salaries

As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations. Nurse writing compensation is different from other nursing positions because of the typically remote nature of the work.

Most publications pay their nurses a predetermined flat rate per article or an hourly rate that doesn’t reflect where they live. So, nurses who live in an area with a high cost of living typically can’t expect higher pay from publications than a nurse writer who lives in an area with a lower cost of living. However, the BLS does report the top-paying metropolitan areas under their Writers and Authors category, as seen below.

Workplace Type and Nurse Writer Salaries

Compensation for nurse writers can also vary based on their hiring publication. Freelance writers often make more than staff writers, but their compensation must also consider the time they must take to run their business, plus health insurance expenses. Not many publications advertise their pay rate, and it’s often up to the writer to negotiate their pay, whether hourly, price per word, or flat rate per project.

How Fast Can a Nurse Writer’s Salary Grow?

A nurse writer’s salary can grow fast, depending on how much work they can take on and what publications hire them. Some nurse writers become editors, which can pay higher than a staff nurse’s salary. However, most publications want their editors to work solely for them and may pay a lower hourly rate than a nurse writer could achieve freelancing.

How to Increase Your Earnings as a Nurse Writer

Nurse writers can increase their salary by following many paths: publication type, amount of work, and professional experience.

1. Earn a Higher Degree

For nurse writers with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.

2. Earn Certification

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

3. Take on More Clients or Work

If a nurse writer works freelance, the fastest way to earn more is to take on more work with their current clients or add clients to their roster.

Nurse Writer Salaries FAQs

   1. What publications offer the highest pay for nurse writers?

Most publications don’t advertise their pay, but typical pay for a 1,000 to 2,000-word article on a mid-level publication can range from $300 to $500. Some prestigious publications, however, pay $1 to $2 per word.

   2. What do nurse writers make per hour?

Nurse writers make an average of $42.11 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.

   3. Which city pays nurse writers the best?

According to the BLS, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA boasts the highest salaries at $57.37 per hour ($119,320 per year).

   4. How can nurse writers get paid more?

Nurse writers can earn higher degrees, earn specialty certifications, or take on more work or clients to increase their earnings.