As the demand for paralegals continues to rise at an unprecedented rate, so does the need for an experienced nursing paralegal. Nursing paralegals are tasked with providing legal guidance to healthcare providers, such as nurses and physicians, as well as patients. The legal support they provide can vary, depending on the situation. It is unsurprising that nursing paralegals are worth a lucrative salary. In this article, we will discuss the average salary of a nursing paralegal, as well as the factors that can affect their wage. Let us know ‘What is the Average Salary of a Nurse Paralegal?’.
What is the Average Salary of a Nurse Paralegal?
The average salary of a nurse paralegal in America is $150,000 per year. About 50% of total nurse paralegals earn the average income. As of right now, nearly 79% of newbies get a starting salary of $30,000, and 85% of decade-old practitioners are getting nearly $300,000. Salary level depends on location, demand experience, etc.
Description of salary range:
A nurse paralegal works 8 to 10 hours a day, and about 5 days a week. As a nurse some days an individual might need to work more hours, and some weeks including the weekends. We are going to count the rates according to the average of 8 hours a day, and 5 days a week.
If we talk about the lowest salary of $30,000 per year then we get an hourly wage rate of $15.62, a daily rate of $125, a weekly rate of $625, and a monthly salary rate of $2,500. Talking about the average salary of $150,000 per year we get an hourly wage rate of $78.12, a daily rate of $625, a weekly rate of $3,125, and a monthly salary of $12,500. Last but not least talking about the highest salary rate of $300,000 per year, we get an hourly wage rate of $156.25, a daily rate of $1,250, a weekly rate of $6,250, and a monthly rate of $25,000.
Bonuses and benefits of a nurse paralegal:
- Competitive salary: Nurse paralegals enjoy competitive salaries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A competitive salary means you will get good pay in comparison to others. If the market value gets up then the salary gets high with that.
- Variety of employment opportunities: Nurse paralegals can find employment with hospitals, healthcare firms, law firms, insurance companies, and government agencies.
- Professional development: Nurse paralegals can receive additional training and certification in specialized areas of the law. While being active at work you can pursue higher education and certifications, and probably even get financial aid to do this.
- Flexibility: Nurse paralegals have the opportunity to work part-time, remotely, or telecommute, give seminars and teach classes, and provide specialized services. Though working days and shift times can be changed a worker must fill in the required minimum time every week.
- Stress-free working environment: Nurse paralegals benefit from the relaxed working environment of private firms or government agencies. The working environment is usually fine but there can sometimes be a lot of workloads.
- “Second Career” Option: Nurse paralegals provide a great second career opportunity for nurses looking for something different. So, if the particular work does not suit you, just change position or look for another job after the contract ends.
- Excellent Benefits: Nurse paralegals often enjoy excellent benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. Health insurance might cover 50% to 80% of the total cost of any treatment against the employee or his family member. Retirement plans like 401K and many other government-backed plans with good returns are provided.
Factors deciding the salary of a nurse paralegal:
- Type of employer: Generally, nurse paralegals working for government entities tend to be paid more than those employed by professional firms or private corporations. Simply put big employers pay more and small employers pay less.
- Experience: With more experience comes more credibility. More credibility increases value which increases salary. More experienced nurse paralegals can imagine earning higher salaries than those with lower experience. Every year of experience can add up to 5% to 8% of the salary at the rookie level.
- Location: Salary levels can vary significantly based on geographic location; salaries tend to be higher in larger cities or areas where the cost of living is higher. Besides, more populated places have more working places so you can choose to work in the better paying one.
- Education: Nurse paralegals with a higher degree such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law or Paralegal Studies can expect to earn higher salaries than those without higher degrees.
- Professional certification: Professional certifications such as the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) credential can boost the earning potential of nurse paralegals. Certificates from recognized bodies are adored more by the firms.
- Job title: A nurse paralegal with an advanced job title such as a Senior Nurse Paralegal or Manager can expect to earn a higher salary than entry-level Nurse Paralegals.
Things to do to increase the salary as a nurse paralegal:
- Pursue extra certifications and qualifications: Nursing paralegals can increase their salary by pursuing additional certifications, such as a certification in medical coding, medical law, and health and safety law.
- Accept a leadership role: If a nursing paralegal is offered a management role, this can be a great way to boost earnings.
- Take on more specialized assignments: Nursing paralegals who specialize in specific areas, such as elder law or labor law, can command higher wages. Specializing puts you in a position with a better edge than others.
- Negotiate a higher salary: You can push for a raise when you’ve taken on additional responsibilities, when you’ve completed specialized courses, or when you reach a certain point in your career. Don’t shy away from negotiating, know your worth and ask for the proper pay that you deserve.
- Look for nursing paralegal positions in larger firms: As a nurse paralegal, you can apply for higher-paying positions with larger firms, which tend to offer higher salaries and more benefits.
- Network and seek out other opportunities: Reaching out to other professionals in the field and networking with them can open up different opportunities that may be able to provide a better salary than you are currently receiving. Communication with people who share the same goals, and perspectives in life will be very important later in the proper development of a career.
- Seek out freelance opportunities: Taking on freelance nursing paralegal work can be a great way to supplement your income, as you can often set your own rates.
- Move to a higher-paying area: If you are able to relocate, this can help you get a higher salary as nursing paralegals tend to get paid more in certain areas of the country. Places like San Francisco, and Boston are paying significantly better compared to other cities.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the average salary of a nurse paralegal is $150,000 per year. The lowest salary starts at around $30,000 and can go as high as $300,000 per year. Salary level is largely dependent on a number of factors including level of experience, geographic location, and type of law practice. Prospective nurse paralegals should research carefully the industry and available information to assess the most accurate salary projections and benefits package for the successful pursuit of a career in the field.
