How Much Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Make?

As healthcare facilities continue their focus on providing safe, high-quality care, many are turning to clinical nurse leaders (CNL) to help implement best practices. CNLs are master’s-level professionals who apply data and research to the training and supervision of nurses, with the goal of supporting the best possible care environment and outcomes.

Research from Critical Care Nursing Quarterly indicates that CNLs are directly attributed to improvements in patient safety care quality and reduced readmissions. This guide summarizes CNL salary trends and ways to increase earning potential at every career stage.

According to Payscale data from May 2022, the average CNL salary is about $84,000 per year, or $36 an hour. This is slightly more than the median wage for registered nurses (RN) with a bachelor’s degree, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at $82,750. The BLS does not list specific data for CNLs.

Individual employers, location, certifications, and experience influence CNL pay. Because the CNL role is fairly new — the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) first created the role in 2003 — there is limited data in terms of earning potential over the course of one’s career. The available data does indicate that experienced CNLs can earn over $100,000 per year.

The BLS does not list state-specific salary data for CNLs. However, data for all RNs reflects salaries for similar roles. With that in mind, the five highest paying states for CNLs are (in order) California, Hawaii, Oregon, District of Columbia, and Alaska. Other states near the top of the list include New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

CNLs considering this profession should compare the cost of living in these high-paying areas to other regions. Hawaii tops the list for most expensive places to live in the U.S., with the District of Columbia and California not far behind. The Northeast in general has a higher cost of living, which is reflected in CNL salaries.

Although CNLs are paid well, these steps can help increase your pay.

CNLs earn slightly more than RNs. Because the position is relatively new, however, there is limited data related to salary growth. Surveys indicate that CNL salaries increase with experience. Also, because there are comparatively few CNLs in relation to other nursing roles, demand for qualified CNLs is also expected to remain steady.

Nurses continue to be in demand across the country, with the BLS projecting a 9% growth between 2020 and 2030. Because CNLs lead nurses and support quality care delivery, they too are in high demand in a range of settings, including acute and long-term care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home health.

State-specific data for CNL pay is unavailable. Based on salary information for RNs, the highest-paying states for this profession are California, Hawaii, Oregon, District of Columbia, and Alaska.

A master’s degree is required to become a CNL. The AACN developed the role as a leadership position with a focus on improving patient care and outcomes. Therefore, nurses in these positions need clinical knowledge and demonstrated competency in risk assessment, quality improvement, care coordination, and best practice implementation to provide knowledge and support to their colleagues working at the bedside.