Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary Overview
The Clinical Nurse Specialist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $108,000. Compensation typically ranges from $63,600 for entry-level positions to $162,800 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Clinical Nurse Specialist in the US earns between $63,600 and $162,800 per year, with a median of $108,000.
Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary by Experience
Entry-level clinical nurse specialists earn around $70,200, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $145,800 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $71,280 | $34/hr | $55,731 |
| Mid | $108,000 | $52/hr | $78,182 |
| Senior | $138,240 | $66/hr | $96,246 |
| Lead | $165,240 | $79/hr | $112,190 |
Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Clinical Nurse Specialist in each US state.
Pay for clinical nurse specialists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,235 | $8,262 | $79,129 | 26.7% |
| Alaska | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| Arizona | $108,000 | $15,374 | $2,335 | $8,262 | $82,029 | 24.0% |
| Arkansas | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,526 | $8,262 | $79,838 | 26.1% |
| California | $108,000 | $15,374 | $6,182 | $8,262 | $78,182 | 27.6% |
| Colorado | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,092 | $8,262 | $80,272 | 25.7% |
| Connecticut | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,230 | $8,262 | $79,134 | 26.7% |
| Delaware | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,897 | $8,262 | $78,467 | 27.3% |
| District of Columbia | $108,000 | $15,374 | $6,339 | $8,262 | $78,025 | 27.8% |
| Florida | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| Georgia | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,270 | $8,262 | $79,094 | 26.8% |
| Hawaii | $108,000 | $15,374 | $7,982 | $8,262 | $76,382 | 29.3% |
| Idaho | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,417 | $8,262 | $78,947 | 26.9% |
| Illinois | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,209 | $8,262 | $79,155 | 26.7% |
| Indiana | $108,000 | $15,374 | $3,294 | $8,262 | $81,070 | 24.9% |
| Iowa | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,104 | $8,262 | $80,260 | 25.7% |
| Kansas | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,499 | $8,262 | $78,865 | 27.0% |
| Kentucky | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,194 | $8,262 | $80,170 | 25.8% |
| Louisiana | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,009 | $8,262 | $80,355 | 25.6% |
| Maine | $108,000 | $15,374 | $6,184 | $8,262 | $78,180 | 27.6% |
| Maryland | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,970 | $8,262 | $79,394 | 26.5% |
| Massachusetts | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,180 | $8,262 | $79,184 | 26.7% |
| Michigan | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,352 | $8,262 | $80,012 | 25.9% |
| Minnesota | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,893 | $8,262 | $78,471 | 27.3% |
| Mississippi | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,498 | $8,262 | $79,866 | 26.0% |
| Missouri | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,313 | $8,262 | $80,051 | 25.9% |
| Montana | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,265 | $8,262 | $79,099 | 26.8% |
| Nebraska | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,787 | $8,262 | $79,577 | 26.3% |
| Nevada | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| New Hampshire | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| New Jersey | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,753 | $8,262 | $79,611 | 26.3% |
| New Mexico | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,297 | $8,262 | $80,067 | 25.9% |
| New York | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,714 | $8,262 | $78,650 | 27.2% |
| North Carolina | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,286 | $8,262 | $80,078 | 25.9% |
| North Dakota | $108,000 | $15,374 | $1,821 | $8,262 | $82,543 | 23.6% |
| Ohio | $108,000 | $15,374 | $2,310 | $8,262 | $82,054 | 24.0% |
| Oklahoma | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,640 | $8,262 | $79,724 | 26.2% |
| Oregon | $108,000 | $15,374 | $8,925 | $8,262 | $75,439 | 30.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $108,000 | $15,374 | $3,316 | $8,262 | $81,048 | 25.0% |
| Rhode Island | $108,000 | $15,374 | $3,894 | $8,262 | $80,470 | 25.5% |
| South Carolina | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,285 | $8,262 | $79,079 | 26.8% |
| South Dakota | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| Tennessee | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| Texas | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| Utah | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,022 | $8,262 | $79,342 | 26.5% |
| Vermont | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,187 | $8,262 | $79,177 | 26.7% |
| Virginia | $108,000 | $15,374 | $5,694 | $8,262 | $78,670 | 27.2% |
| Washington | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
| West Virginia | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,641 | $8,262 | $79,723 | 26.2% |
| Wisconsin | $108,000 | $15,374 | $4,636 | $8,262 | $79,728 | 26.2% |
| Wyoming | $108,000 | $15,374 | $0 | $8,262 | $84,364 | 21.9% |
Top Cities for Clinical Nurse Specialist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for clinical nurse specialists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $118,800 |
| New York, NY | $118,800 |
| Boston, MA | $118,800 |
| Hartford, CT | $118,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $118,800 |
Calculate Clinical Nurse Specialist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Becoming a clinical nurse specialist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Clinical Nurse Specialist Career Outlook
Employment of clinical nurse specialists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for clinical nurse specialists in the US is $108,000, with a typical range from $63,600 to $162,800 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for clinical nurse specialists include CA, NJ, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level clinical nurse specialists can expect to earn around $70,200 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a clinical nurse specialist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for clinical nurse specialists is approximately $51.92, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.