RN Case Manager Salary Guide

A registered nurse (RN) case manager works with patients and their families, physicians, other healthcare practitioners, and insurance companies to coordinate available resources and deliver quality healthcare.

RNs interested in entering this in-demand field can explore this guide for current salary prospects and comparisons with other nursing fields.

A nurse case manager must hold an RN license. While RNs may enter this field after earning a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN), most employers seek case managers who hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). As in other nursing specialties, salaries increase with education level.

BSN degree-holders earn an average $4,000 higher than RNs with ADNs. Factors such as certification, years of experience, and location also affect compensation levels.

RN case managers have played an essential role in coordinating care, screening COVID-19 patients, and assessing COVID-19 treatment. The demand for these nurses will continue to grow as the nation recovers from the pandemic.

While hospitals and other healthcare providers resume elective surgeries and other services postponed because of the pandemic, they must continue to provide care to patients dealing with the short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19.

Optimizing case management helps healthcare systems improve capacity and manage increased patient flows. RN case managers serve as the primary point of contact for patients and their families, organizing services, locating resources, and advocating on their behalf. These nurses will become even more important as the pandemic wanes.

Several factors determine RN case manager salaries. Earnings vary by geography, education, and employer. As nurses gain work experience, they increase their salaries by moving into supervisory positions and taking on more responsibilities.

The highest-paid RN case managers typically hold BSN degrees or higher and have worked in the field for a decade or more.

RNs in all specialties receive considerably higher salaries than the mean wage for all occupations in the United States. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide salary data specific to RN case managers but for all RNs.

Some regions pay RNs significantly more than others. California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Alaska rank as the top-paying states for RNs, while Southern and Midwestern states pay significantly less.

Factors like nursing demand and cost of living also affect RN case manager salaries. California and Hawaii, where the cost of living is much higher than other states, pay the highest salaries in the country, in contrast to the lowest-paying states where living expenses are more affordable.

A nurse case manager earns a relatively higher salary than some of the following common RN specialties. According to Payscale, an RN case manager earned an average annual salary of $75,100 as of March 2022.

RN case manager salary ranges vary with employer, geographic location, and education level. As of March 2022, Payscale reports that RN case managers with under five years of work experience can expect to earn an average base salary of $67,000. The top earners, those with 20 years or more on the job, earn a mean salary of over $80,000. An advanced degree, certifications, and years of work experience can boost case manager salary levels significantly.

Among other factors, actual earnings depend on location, education and certification, and experience. According to Payscale data as of March 2022, RN case managers earn an average yearly salary of $75,100. Entry-level case managers with less than a year of experience can earn a starting salary of $66,700. The highest-paid case managers, those with 20 years or more on the job, earn $79,970.

Case managers and other licensed RNs typically earn comparable wages. RN case managers can increase their salaries by earning nursing certifications and advanced graduate training. Also, hospitals and healthcare facilities are seeking more efficient ways to manage patient capacity and deliver affordable, quality care. Thus, the demand for nurse case managers will continue to grow and result in higher salaries.

An RN case manager develops, implements, and reviews healthcare plans. Along with advocating for patients and their families, they focus on providing efficient and effective healthcare while managing treatment costs. Caseworkers help patients and their families understand their healthcare options by coordinating services with doctors, other healthcare practitioners and staff, and insurance providers.

Depending on their experience and credentials, RN case managers can make between $67,000-$80,000 a year or more. Like other RNs, compensation for case managers also varies by practice setting. Insurance companies, hospitals and clinics, and skilled nursing facilities generally pay higher salaries than educational institutions and public and community health services.