10 Highest-Paying Non-Clinical Nursing Jobs


Written By: Donna ReeseDonna Reese MSN, RN, CSN

Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing. She utilizes her personal experiences to write from the heart to apply to her writing for various health publications, including BLOGS, newsletters, and educational materials and videos. Read Full Bio »»
MSN, RN, CSN


Are you looking for a non-clinical nursing job that pays well? You may be surprised to learn that there are many lucrative nursing opportunities that allow you to utilize your nursing expertise without performing hands-on patient care.

Here, I will expand on nonclinical nursing roles with great compensation and answer the question, “What are the highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs?” After reading about the 10 highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs, you will have a better understanding of the many profitable opportunities available away from the bedside.

Let’s get started!



What are the Highest-Paying Non-Clinical Nursing Jobs?

(The following are the 10 highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs.)


JOB #1: Hospital Administrator


About The Job:

In non-clinical nursing roles, you can still work in a hospital. Indirect patient care jobs such as hospital administrator is one prime example. Nursing positions in hospital administration can range from nurse manager to CEO.

Many nurses possess the leadership skills to run a hospital. It is exciting to see more and more nurses at the helm of thriving hospital systems. As an administrator, you will guide nurses and staff towards excellence, while ensuring top-notch patient care and satisfaction.

In this role you can wear many hats and may work on:

• Budgeting and finance
• Policies
• Conduct evaluations
• Lead meetings
• Staff scheduling
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution


What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

As a nurse administrator, you will need to possess excellent communication skills and be a proven team player and leader. Nurse administrators are seasoned nurses with a background or nose for business.

As you climb the ladder in hospital administration, you will need to possess a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing/healthcare administration and some business education/experience.

How Much Can You Earn:

Nurse administrators make an average salary of $100,00 to $259,000, depending on the position.


JOB #2: Clinical Nurse Educator


About The Job:

Another one of the highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs in a hospital is a clinical nurse educator.

Clinical nurse educators are responsible for teaching nurses and (at times) support staff employed in a hospital. They may develop curriculum to meet new standards and policies and teach ongoing classes such as CPR and safety.

Other duties of a clinical nurse educator may include:

• Review educational materials
• Stay abreast of the latest medical technology and trends
• Speak at conferences
• Hold health fairs
• Collaborate with administrative staff
• Orientation of new staff


What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Clinical nurse educators are RNs who possess 5 or more years of experience in a clinical hospital role. Although a master’s degree in nursing is not always required, many hospitals prefer an advanced nursing or education degree.

Exceptional communication and speaking skills are key in this role.

How Much Can You Earn:

According to ZipRecruiter, a hospital nurse clinical educator makes an average salary of $102,263.


JOB #3: Diabetes Educator


About The Job:

Diabetic nurse educator roles are one of the non-clinical nursing jobs that pay well and can be either in a hospital or other setting. Besides hospitals, diabetic nurse educators can be employed in a medical office, by a private pharmaceutical company such as Eli Lilley or a medical device company such as Medtronic.

Diabetic educator’s duties can include:

• Monitoring and teaching patients with diabetes
• Troubleshooting problems associated with diabetes
• Staying abreast of the latest trends and technology related to diabetes
• Collaborating with physicians, insurance companies, families, and other personnel
• Teaching sales and medical representatives
• Be a patient advocate and team liaison


What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Diabetic nurse educators many times do not need a master’s degree for this role. However, having direct and personal experience with diabetes is a plus for the job.

Most employers prefer that RNs in this role possess a certification from the Certified Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).

How Much Can You Earn:

If working in a hospital, diabetic nurse educators earn an average wage of $102,263 (ZipRecruiter). If employed by a private company such as Medtronic, the compensation may be higher.


JOB #4: Nurse Recruiter


About The Job:

Nurse recruiters are employed by hospitals and private agencies. This job can also be a freelance entrepreneurial venture. As a recruiter for nurses, you assist hospitals and healthcare organizations in filling staffing needs.

In this role, you may screen nursing applicants and determine the best candidates for a particular job opening. Some nurse recruiters interview nurses while others pass along their recommendations to a hiring manager. You may verify essential employment information such as contacting previous employers and double-checking that an applicant holds a current and unencumbered license.

You may also be required to attend career fairs and travel to nursing schools to recruit potential candidates.

What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

The requirements for a nurse recruiter vary widely. Some employers prefer seasoned nurses with varied backgrounds to be able to relate to most nurse recruits. Others may opt for a young nurse with more cutting-edge experience to draw nursing graduates and eager new nurses.

Either way, a BSN is customary for employment as a nurse recruiter. Rarely is a higher degree necessary. An outgoing personality and a go-getter work ethic are desirable attributes for this job.

How Much Can You Earn:

Per ZipRecruiter, nurse recruiters earn $74,963/year on average, along with incentives for successful hires.


JOB #5: Utilization Review Nurse


About The Job:

Utilization review (UR) nurses scrutinize medical bills and health admissions/procedures to ensure that their employer is only responsible for reasonable and applicable services. As a UR nurse, you can work for the insurer (i.e. Insurance company) or a hospital/provider. Thus, you will be managing preadmission screening or post-medical billing.

Utilization management nurses are cost managers who work in an office job. You may be on the phone with patients, physicians, billing departments, preadmission staff, attorneys, and insurance adjusters.

What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

To work in utilization review, you need to have a BSN, although some employers will take ADN nurses. It is recommended that you have a few years of hospital experience under your belt.

As a previous UR nurse, I know that negotiation and communication skills are necessary for this job.

Your chances of getting hired are greater if you possess certifications related to this field such as:

• Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) Board Certification
• Health Utilization Management (HUM) Certification
• Certified Case Management (CCM) certification


How Much Can You Earn:

Utilization review nurses earn an average salary of $87,946/year (ZipRecruiter).


JOB #6: Case Manager


About The Job:

A position as a nurse case manager is one of the greatest non-clinical nursing jobs that pay well. I say this because, this potentially low-stress job, requires no hands-on care. However, you still have the satisfaction of working directly with patients in a capacity where you can benefit their health and well-being.

Case managers are an integral part of a medical team that cares for patients with chronic or complex illnesses. In this job, you serve as an advocate for the patients and in some instances the insurance company. You help to coordinate care, provide patient education, and in general, try to guide a successful and smooth healthcare experience.

What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

A BSN is required as a case manager. Many nurses in this role become certified as nurse case managers to highlight their expertise and authority in this field.

Nurse case managers need to possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Patients depend on their ability to juggle numerous aspects of their complex treatment.

How Much Can You Earn:

Nurse case managers make $98,869 annually on average (ZipRecruiter).


JOB #7: Informatics Nurse


About The Job:

A job as an informatics nurse combines medical knowledge with technology to improve patient outcomes.

What does that mean exactly? In this role, your job duties can include:

• Collaborate with nurses, IT personnel, and administration regarding current and new technology and EMR systems.
• Develop and train others on new technology
• Monitor and troubleshoot systems
• Analyze data to see if implemented technology has improved patient outcomes
• Develop policies and procedures related to medical technology and systems


You can work in informatics in a hospital, business, IT department, or academic setting.

What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Unlike some of the other non-clinical nursing jobs that pay well, there are specific advanced nursing education requirements to work in informatics. Most jobs of this nature require that you have a master’s in health informatics. Fortunately, many universities now offer this specialty degree.

A certificate in nursing informatics is also recommended.

Most employers prefer a nurse with a few years of clinical experience.

How Much Can You Earn:

$98,409 /year is the average yearly salary for an informatics nurse per ZipRecruiter.


JOB #8: Medical Sales


About The Job:

Working in medical sales, you have the potential to hold one of the highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs. I have a nurse friend who is a regional sales rep for Medtronic and is handsomely paid with many added perks to comprise an impressive overall compensation package.

As a sales representative, you may need to travel to clients to demonstrate and sell your medical product. As a nurse, you may have inside experience with many products, allowing you to expertly teach potential clients (physicians, hospitals, patients, etc.) about your samples.

What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Although you do not have to be a nurse to work in medical sales, your RN credentials and work ethic are in demand for this role. Some jobs in this specialty may be open to AD nurses although many require a BSN.

Soft skills such as communication, writing acumen, and salesmanship are desired traits for a medical sales rep. Possessing medical knowledge and the ability to relate to patients and health professionals will benefit your sales career.

How Much Can You Earn:

According to ZipRecruiter, a medical sales rep is paid $87,398/ year on average. However, keep in mind that with bonuses, your total compensation could be much higher.


JOB #9: Legal Nurse


About The Job:

Legal nurse positions are one of the highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs. Most legal nurses work in the private sector such as attorney offices and insurance companies, both areas which tend to pay higher than average nursing wages.

Legal nurse consultants serve as the medical resource and expert on a legal team. Duties may include:

• Educating attorneys about medical conditions, injury, expected outcomes, and terminology
• Analyzing and deciphering medical bills and records
• Preparing medical reports using language that non-medical professionals can understand
• Interviewing clients and medical personnel
• Preparing cost estimates for care
• Expert medical testimony
• Medical research
• Defining standards of medical care


What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Legal nursing is a highly specialized field of nursing. You will need to have a minimum of a BSN for this position.

To stand out in this specialty, you should become certified as a legal nurse consultant. To pass this exam, it is recommended that you first educate yourself about legal nursing by taking applicable courses and in-services in this specialty area. There are many offerings for legal nursing courses.

Legal nurse consultants are typically well-seasoned nurses with much experience to offer.

How Much Can You Earn:

ZipRecruiter reveals that legal nurse consultants make $87,681 per year on average.


JOB #10: Infection Control Nurse


About The Job:

The ultimate goal of an infection control nurse is to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases in the facility where they work.

The responsibilities of infection control nurses are:

• Developing and implementing infection control policies and procedures
• Educating staff (and sometimes patients) about infection control policies
• Monitoring and analyzing trends related to infection
• Staying abreast of world, national, and regional disease outbreaks
• Working with public health authorities, hospital administration, and public relations personnel


What are the Requirements to Get This Job:

Infection control nurses should possess a BSN, although there are a few instances where ADN nurses may be hired for this job. You will need a few years of clinical experience to prepare for this role.

Many infection control nurses are certified in this specialty, although it is not a requirement.

Necessary skills for this role include excellent communication skills, research and analysis insight, and attention to detail.

How Much Can You Earn:

Infection control nurses make an average yearly salary of $91,445 (ZipRecruiter).



My Final Thoughts


For nurses who are ready for a change from bedside nursing, it is reasonable to ask, “What are the highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs?” As an RN who started as a pediatrics nurse in a hospital and quickly switched roles to non-bedside nursing, I can attest that this career move served me well for many years. I am living proof that non-clinical roles can be fulfilling and pay well at the same time.

After reading “10 highest-paying non-clinical nursing jobs”, I hope that you have a better idea about your professional future that may include an exciting non-clinical nursing job that compensates well.


Donna Reese MSN, RN, CSN
Donna Reese is a freelance nurse health content writer with 37 years nursing experience. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in her local community clinic and as an RN in home health, rehabilitation, hospital, and school nursing.