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How Much Do Forensic Nurses Make?

9 Min Read Published August 7, 2024
Forensic nurse salary

Forensic nurses work with crime victims to gather medical evidence and provide expert testimony for court cases. This article explores forensic nurse salaries, including how much they can expect to make by state, city, and other factors.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

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Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
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Location
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Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

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>>Listen To The Vital Role Of Nurses in Combating Human Trafficking with Leah Helmbrecht, Forensic Nurse Examiner

 

What Is the Average Forensic Nurse Salary?

The median salary for all registered nurses (RNs) nationwide is $86,070  annually or $41.38 per hour (BLS). Forensic nurses earn $65,466 annually or $31 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Most forensic nurses make between $48,000 and $80,499, with top earners making $107,500 annually.

Forensic Nurse Salary by State

Location is one of the most influential factors in determining how much you can make as a forensic nurse. So how much does a forensic nurse make by state? It turns out that the highest-paying state for forensic nurses pays more than $20,000 more each year than the lowest.

State Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
New York $72,632 $6,052 $1,396 $34.92
Vermont $71,381 $5,948 $1,372 $34.32
California $70,108 $5,842 $1,348 $33.71
Maine $68,083 $5,673 $1,309 $32.73
Idaho $67,352 $5,612 $1,295 $32.38
Washington $66,827 $5,568 $1,285 $32.13
Pennsylvania $66,520 $5,543 $1,279 $31.98
Massachusetts $65,706 $5,475 $1,263 $31.59
Alaska $65,290 $5,440 $1,255 $31.39
New Jersey $65,048 $5,420 $1,250 $31.27
New Hampshire $64,895 $5,407 $1,247 $31.20
Oregon $64,545 $5,378 $1,241 $31.03
North Dakota $64,480 $5,373 $1,240 $31.00
Wisconsin $64,068 $5,339 $1,232 $30.80
Wyoming $63,494 $5,291 $1,221 $30.53
Hawaii $63,256 $5,271 $1,216 $30.41
Colorado $62,915 $5,242 $1,209 $30.25
Indiana $62,381 $5,198 $1,199 $29.99
Nevada $61,734 $5,144 $1,187 $29.68
New Mexico $61,563 $5,130 $1,183 $29.60
Minnesota $61,477 $5,123 $1,182 $29.56
Arizona $61,091 $5,090 $1,174 $29.37
South Dakota $60,940 $5,078 $1,171 $29.30
Montana $60,171 $5,014 $1,157 $28.93
Ohio $59,875 $4,989 $1,151 $28.79
Rhode Island $59,784 $4,982 $1,149 $28.74
Delaware $59,673 $4,972 $1,147 $28.69
Alabama $59,419 $4,951 $1,142 $28.57
Virginia $59,025 $4,918 $1,135 $28.38
Connecticut $58,617 $4,884 $1,127 $28.18
Iowa $58,506 $4,875 $1,125 $28.13
Illinois $58,063 $4,838 $1,116 $27.91
Mississippi $57,985 $4,832 $1,115 $27.88
Maryland $57,844 $4,820 $1,112 $27.81
Tennessee $57,164 $4,763 $1,099 $27.48
Utah $57,018 $4,751 $1,096 $27.41
Nebraska $56,764 $4,730 $1,091 $27.29
Missouri $56,005 $4,667 $1,077 $26.93
South Carolina $55,438 $4,619 $1,066 $26.65
Georgia $55,354 $4,612 $1,064 $26.61
Oklahoma $54,971 $4,580 $1,057 $26.43
Texas $54,899 $4,574 $1,055 $26.39
Kansas $54,588 $4,549 $1,049 $26.24
North Carolina $54,294 $4,524 $1,044 $26.10
Louisiana $53,674 $4,472 $1,032 $25.81
Kentucky $52,151 $4,345 $1,002 $25.07
Michigan $52,131 $4,344 $1,002 $25.06
West Virginia $51,374 $4,281 $987 $24.70
Arkansas $49,546 $4,128 $952 $23.82
Florida $48,988 $4,082 $942 $23.55

Via ZipRecruiter

Forensic Nurse Salary by City

Your salary as a forensic nurse may also change depending on whether you live in a metropolitan or rural area. Some of the highest-paying cities to practice as a forensic nurse are as follows:

City Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
Bolinas, CA $87,333 $7,277 $1,679 $41.99
Santa Clara, CA $83,435 $6,952 $1,604 $40.11
Mercer Island, WA $81,611 $6,800 $1,569 $39.24
Belmont, CA $81,195 $6,766 $1,561 $39.04
Bellefonte, DE $80,417 $6,701 $1,546 $38.66
San Francisco, CA $79,688 $6,640 $1,532 $38.31
New Hartford Center, CT $79,397 $6,616 $1,526 $38.17
Millbourne, PA $79,162 $6,596 $1,522 $38.06
Casa Blanca, AZ $78,744 $6,562 $1,514 $37.86
Marysville, WA $78,733 $6,561 $1,514 $37.85

Via ZipRecruiter

Forensic Nurse Salary Factors

Forensic Nursing Salary by Years of Experience

Forensic nurses can earn a higher annual salary with increased years of experience.

  • 1-4 years: $29.96 average hourly wage
  • 5-9 years: $30.01 average hourly wage

Via Payscale

Forensic Nursing Salary by Work Setting

Generally, forensic nurses work in hospitals; however, they can work in several other locations, such as:

  • Community anti-violence programs
  • Coroner's and medical examiner’s offices
  • Corrections institutions 
  • Communities after natural disasters
  • Psychiatric hospitals
  • Academia

There isn’t much data on how different industries impact forensic nurse salaries specifically. However, we can examine how overarching RN salaries change within these industries. The BLS query system provides industry-specific RN wage insights for many places where forensic nurses can work.

For example, RNs in academia make the most out of the industries listed. They have annual salaries of up to $71,550 at local government-owned colleges, universities, and professional schools. On the other hand, those at hospitals make $88,430. 

Source: BLS, Date extracted: Aug 7, 2024

9 Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Forensic Nurse

You can increase your forensics nurse salary in a few ways:

  1. Earn a forensic nursing certificate
  2. Work night or weekend shifts that offer higher per-hour wages
  3. Advance your education by earning a Master’s in Forensic Nursing or higher
  4. Work per diem or become a travel forensic nurse
  5. Train to become a preceptor for new hires
  6. Become a charge nurse or nurse manager in your unit
  7. Climb the clinical ladder within the unit
  8. Participate in a unit or hospital-based committee
  9. Pick up overtime hours on your unit or in other parts of the hospital

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Forensic Nurse?

The cost of becoming a nurse can be overwhelming. However, scholarships, loans, and tuition reimbursement make it feasible for anyone interested in the field.

Remember, there is no one set cost for nursing school. Programs can range from a few thousand dollars to over $80,000 and even $100,000 at private or Ivy League nursing schools.

Forensic Nurse Salary vs Other Specialties

Forensic nurses earn an average of $65,466 annually or $31 per hour. Here’s how that compares to some other nursing specialties:

Salaries via ZipRecruiter

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Sponsored
Purdue Global

Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.

Grand Canyon University

GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

The University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Western Governors University

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Liberty University

As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation. 

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online
Prerequisite
RN Required

Enrollment: Nationwide

Forensic Nurse Salary FAQs

  • What do forensic nurses do?

    • Forensic nurses collect evidence, photograph injuries for evidence, and work with domestic violence and abuse victims. They also work with law enforcement and legal teams to help victims, testify in court, and work with medical examiners.
  • What state pays forensic nurses the most?

    • New York is the highest-paying state for forensic nurses, with reported annual salaries of $72,632.
  • Are forensic nurses in high demand?

    • Since very few forensic nurses are currently practicing, there is a demand for these healthcare professionals. However, forensic nurses only serve a specific patient population. So, many hospitals and healthcare systems don't see the benefits of having forensic nurses on staff.
  • Is forensic nursing a good career?

    • Despite being one of the lesser-paid nursing specialties, many forensic nurses report finding the work extremely rewarding. The differences they make in patients' lives can be worth earning a little less than other types of nurses.
  • Do forensic nurses make more than nurses?

    • Forensic nurses generally make less than other nurses, according to reported salaries.
Kathleen Gaines
MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Kathleen Gaines
News and Education Editor

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Education:
MSN Nursing Education - Loyola University New Orleans
BSN - Villanova University
BA- University  of Mary Washington

Expertise:
Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Education, Women’s Health, Intensive Care, Nurse Journalism, Cardiac Nursing 

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