Hi, and welcome to another exciting read on Legal Nurse Consultant Salary!

In this article, you’ll learn about how much LNCs make by state, experience, and employment type.

At the end of reading this very educative piece, you will be able to understand the factors that influence salary expectations in this career.

Here is an overview of what we’ll talk about:

  • The average Legal Nurse Consultant’s Salary
  • Salary by years of experience
  • Salary by state
  • Salary by practice

Let’s jump right into it!

The Average Legal Nurse Consultant Salary

Nurse Salary

Different compensation platforms have slightly different projections on the average Legal Nurse Consultant Salary.

To kick us off on how much LNCs earn is Payscale.

Payscale projects that the national average income for Legal Nurse Consultants is $80,718.

The hourly rate ranges from $32.93 to $48.69, and the average hourly rate is $48.69.

The platform further reveals that the LNCs in the 10th percentile take home an average of $60k, while those in the 90th percentile, top earners, earn around $100k.

Legal Nurse Consultant Salary Outlook

On the flip side, Glassdoor gives a huge salary range.

According to the platform, LNCs earn between $18,005 and $1,007,819.

Glassdoor places LNC’s average base salary at $105,899.

Additional payment is around $22,715, bringing the total compensation to $128,614.

The total compensation includes the base salary, commission, bonuses, and profit-sharing.

In contrast, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have salary estimates specifically for LNCs.

Since they were Registered Nurses before taking additional training in legal matters and earning the Legal Nurse Consultant Certification, BLS places their income under Registered Nurses.

According to the bureau, RNs earn $77,600 per year, which translates to $37.31 per hour.

Apart from the salary, Legal Nurse Consultants also get benefits depending on the type of employment.

Full-time or part-time employed LNCs may get health insurance coverage, tuition support, paid days off, and professional development opportunities.

Other types of practice, including independent and subcontracted, may only have to rely on a salary.

Legal Nurse Consultant Salary by Years of Experience

Legal Nurse Consultant Salary

How much a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant earns is influenced by how long they have been in the industry.

Payscale breaks down LNC Salary by years of experience as follows:

  • Entry-level LNCs with one year of experience earn $98,259 per year
  • As they gain experience in the industry and move to an early career, that’s about 1-4 years experience, LNCs take home $102,044
  • Mid-career (5-9 years) LNCs earn an average annual income of $98,969
  • Legal Nurse Consultant jobs that require LNCs with 10-19 years of experience pay LNCs around $103,292
  • On the last leg of their careers, when they have 20+ years of experience, a Legal Nurse Consultant’s Salary increases to $112,320

The more the experience, the more bucks an LNC takes home.

Legal Nurse Consultant Salary by State

Nurse Practitioner Salary by State

It goes without saying that LNCs working and living in states with a high cost of living earn more than those in rural areas.

ZipRecruiter rounds up a list of Legal Nurse Consultants’ Salaries by state and gives us an overview of how much these paralegals earn in different locations in the country.

Different compensation platforms have slightly different projections on the average Legal Nurse Consultant Salary.

According to the compensation platform, the top-paying states include Washington, New York, New Hampshire, California, and Massachusetts:

Washington

A Certified Legal Nurse Consultant’s Salary in Washington is $96,429, which translates to $8,035.

Their hourly rate averages $46.36.

NewYork

In Newyork, LNCs can expect to earn around $91,272 per year, $7,614 per month, and $43.93 per hour.

New Hampshire

The third top-paying state is New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Legal Nurse Consultant’s hourly rate is $42,51.

The annual income is $88,424, while the monthly salary is $7,369.

California

California ranks fourth among the top-paying state.

In CA, a Legal Nurse Consultant’s Salary is $86,190.

They can expect $41.44 per hour and $7,182 per month.

Washington, Newyork, New Hampshire, and California LNCs’ Salaries are above the national average, which is $85,351.

Massachusetts

Marking the end of the top five top payers is Massachusetts.

In Massachusetts, LNCs can expect an annual income of $84,155.

The Legal Nurse Consultant hourly rate in this state is $40.46, while the monthly income is $7,013.

Working in the top-paying cities can be a great milestone in a Legal Nurse Consultant’s Career in terms of compensation and exposure.

However, before relocating because of compensation, it’s important to note that the cost of living in these states is over the roof.

Hence, compare things like housing and transportation before the big decision.

Legal Nurse Consultant Salary by Practice

Legal Nurse Consultant -

Legal Nurse Consultants have three options when it comes to the work environment.

Let’s see how much they make under each arrangement:

In House LNC

In-house Legal Nurse Consultants are employed either full-time or part-time by law firms, insurance companies, or a healthcare organization’s legal department.

LNCs earn around $20-$60 per hour in these setups.

They also earn benefits, just like Nurse Practitioners or other healthcare professionals working in clinical settings.

Independent Practice LNC

Independent Legal Nurse Consultants have their own practice.

Most LNCs branch into their own practice when they are no longer interested in working for someone else.

The most important part when going into their own practice is to access their geographical area if there is a business opportunity.

Independent LNCs earn between $125 to $200 per hour.

When acting as expert witnesses, they can make anywhere between $300 and $500 an hour.

An Independent Legal Nurse Consultant can choose to take a case or not.

They have autonomy over which clients to work with and which one’s not to.

Independent LNCs earn more than both Subcontractors and In-house LNCs.

Subcontractor LNC

Subcontractor LNC works for an Independent Legal Nurse Consultant firm.

An Independent LNC usually subcontracts legal cases to other members of their legal team, which mostly includes other LNCs working as Subcontractors.

Subcontractors earn between 30%-70% of what Independent LNCs earn.

Independent Legal Nurse Consultant Salary

Since they rely on the Independent LNC to source for work, they earn less than the Independent LNC and more than an In-house LNC.

Legal Nurse Consultants can choose one career path or more.

LNCs can work as Independent but still work as subcontractors part-time.

They may also work In-house and be a Subcontractor on the side.

Conclusion

Conclusion on Nurse Manager Salary

Many Registered Nurses thinking of changing careers from bedside Nursing are opting for a Legal Nurse Consultant Career.

The profession gives RNs the flexibility to establish their own practice and work from home or an office.

What’s more, the Legal Nurse Consultant Salary is impressive, particularly for independent LNCs.

Despite the impressive salary, the exact amount an LNC earns depends on several other factors other than the ones mentioned here.

Practice specialty, employer, level of education, and credentials also influence how much an LNC earns.

FAQs

FAQs on Legal Nurse Consultant Salary

Can a Legal Nurse Consultant make six figures?

According to the Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Independent Legal Nurse Consultants can make six figures as they charge from $150 per hour. An Independent LNC who majorly works on large medical malpractice cases can earn six figures in few months. And so, the earning potential depends on the cases one handles.

How to Become a Legal Nurse Consultant?

Complete an accredited Nursing Program which can be a BSN or ADN. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn state licensure. Gain experience as a Registered Nurse. Obtain Legal Nurse Consultant Certification (LNCC) from the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC). Seek employment as an LNC.

How much do Legal Nurse Consultants make?

According to Payscale, CLNCs earn $80,718 per year. The hourly rate, according to the platform, is $48.69. On the other hand, Glassdoor projects an annual base salary of $105,899 and $128,614 as total compensation. According to this platform, LNCs earn $22,715 as an additional payment.

How much do Legal Nurse Consultants make in California?

According to ZipRecruiter, LNCs in California earn an average income of $86,190 per year. The monthly income is $7,182, which translates to $1,657 per month and $41.44 per hour. The actual amount a Legal Nurse Consultant will take home depends on the employer’s level of education, and years of experience.

How much do Nurse Attorneys make?

According to ZipRecruiter, a Nurse Attorney’s Salary ranges from $21,000-$147,500. The average annual income is $83,534. Nurse Attorneys can work as Hospital Administrators, Legal Consultants, Lobbyists, or Attorney Litigators. Their actual income is dependent on the employer’s location, experience in the industry, and the organization they work for.

How Much Does a Legal Nurse Consultant make in Florida?

According to Salary.com, a Legal Nurse Consultant job in Florida pays LNC around $93,768. Their salary ranges from $66,172 to $84,334. LNC earnings may vary depending on years of experience, additional skills, certifications, and education. An LNC with a Master’s Degree earns more than those with a Bachelor’s Degree.

What Type of Nurse Makes the Most Money?

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn the most money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CRNA earns $183,580 per year. Their hourly rate is $88.26. The high salary reflects the training required to become a CRNA. It takes eight years to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

What is The Common Responsibility of a Legal Nurse Consultant?

Legal Nurse Consultants work as expert witnesses in legal cases. They conduct client reviews and screen cases for merit. They also attend Arbitration, Mediation, and Deposition. Additionally, LNCs are the link between Healthcare Providers and Lawyers. Furthermore, they identify the set medical standards of practice.

How Much Does a Legal Nurse Consultant make in Ohio?

According to ZipRecruiter, Legal Nurse Consultants earn an annual income of $74,759. Their monthly earning is $6,230, which translates to $1,438 per week and a $35.94 hourly rate. The actual amount an LNC will earn in Ohio depends on their years of experience, education level, and employer.

What is the Most Common Occupation for a Legal Nurse Consultant?

Most LNCs specialize in Adult Nursing. The other areas of specialization include Children’s Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Mental Health Nursing. LNCs are better placed to choose a double specialization to expand their scope of practice and work in advanced legal cases that would bring them more income.

References

RegisteredNursing.org

Forensics College

Payscale.com

Nurse.org

LNCSTAT

ZipRecruiter

Glassdoor


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