Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Clinical Nurse Specialists Make?
Clinical Nurse Specialists earn a median annual salary of $93,600 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $66,030 at the 10th percentile to $135,320 at the 90th percentile — a range of $69,290. The highest-paying state is California at $140,330.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,030 |
| 25th percentile | $78,610 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 |
| 75th percentile | $107,960 |
| 90th percentile | $135,320 |
Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $140,330 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $123,990 |
| Washington | $112,180 |
| Alaska | $110,690 |
| New York | $105,600 |
| District of Columbia | $104,550 |
| New Jersey | $102,730 |
| Nevada | $101,990 |
| Massachusetts | $101,970 |
| Connecticut | $101,590 |
| Minnesota | $100,870 |
| Rhode Island | $99,960 |
| Arizona | $96,890 |
| Maryland | $96,830 |
| New Hampshire | $96,830 |
| Colorado | $96,520 |
| Delaware | $92,610 |
| Texas | $90,010 |
| Virginia | $88,820 |
| New Mexico | $88,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,610 |
| Georgia | $86,560 |
| Illinois | $86,410 |
| Idaho | $86,100 |
| Wisconsin | $86,070 |
| Michigan | $85,670 |
| Vermont | $85,150 |
| Maine | $82,860 |
| Florida | $82,850 |
| Utah | $82,270 |
| North Carolina | $81,860 |
| Wyoming | $81,790 |
| Montana | $81,560 |
| Ohio | $81,250 |
| Oklahoma | $81,160 |
| Nebraska | $81,020 |
| Indiana | $80,740 |
| West Virginia | $79,990 |
| Kentucky | $79,910 |
| South Carolina | $79,900 |
| Missouri | $79,770 |
| Tennessee | $79,030 |
| Louisiana | $78,880 |
| North Dakota | $78,260 |
| Kansas | $78,060 |
| Arkansas | $77,130 |
| Iowa | $76,960 |
| Mississippi | $74,470 |
| Alabama | $71,040 |
| South Dakota | $69,510 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$66,030 – $78,610 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$93,600 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$107,960 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $135,320+ |
How to Earn More as a Clinical Nurse Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Clinical Nurse Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $208,940 — $115,340 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($107,960) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Clinical Nurse Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical Nurse Specialistthis career | $93,600 |
| Health Informatics Specialist | $103,790 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 29-1141.04 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.