RN Case Manager Salary Guide

An RN case manager coordinates care across patients, families, physicians, other practitioners, and insurers to deliver quality healthcare while managing cost. This guide covers current pay and how it compares to other nursing fields.

Fast facts, per the Commission for Case Manager Certification:

• Median salaries for board-certified RN case managers ran $80,000 to $85,000.
• More than half of executive-level certified case managers earn over $100,000 a year, along with more than a third of those in management.
• Beyond certification, 98% of RN case managers have specialty experience in hospital case management, managed care, or care transitions.

Average Salary

A case manager must hold an RN license. You can enter with a two-year ADN, but most employers want a BSN, and pay rises with education. BSN holders earn roughly $4,000 more than RNs with an ADN. Certification, experience, and location also move the number.

According to Payscale, RN case managers averaged $82,741 a year as of November 2025.

Salary Growth

Earnings vary by geography, education, and employer, and they climb as nurses take on supervisory roles and more responsibility. The highest-paid case managers usually hold a BSN or higher and have a decade or more in the field. Per Payscale, those with under five years of experience average a base salary around $79,000, while those with 20-plus years average over $88,000.

Highest- and Lowest-Paying States

RNs in every specialty earn well above the U.S. mean wage for all occupations. The BLS does not break out case managers specifically, but reports data for all RNs. California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, D.C., and Alaska are the top-paying states; Southern and Midwestern states pay noticeably less. The gaps track demand and cost of living. California and Hawaii pay the most and also have the highest living costs.

How RN Case Manager Pay Compares

Case managers earn comparable wages to other licensed RNs, and a bit more than several common specialties. You can raise your pay through certifications, advanced graduate training, and experience. Demand is rising as facilities look for more efficient ways to manage patient capacity and control cost, which should push salaries up over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What affects earnings? Location, education, certification, and experience. Per Payscale as of November 2025, the average is $82,741. Entry-level case managers with under a year of experience start around $71,000; those with 20-plus years earn about $88,000.

What does an RN case manager do? They develop, carry out, and review healthcare plans, advocate for patients and families, and coordinate services with doctors, other staff, and insurers, all while keeping care efficient and affordable.

What's the full pay range? Roughly $67,000 to $102,000 a year or more, depending on setting. Insurance companies, hospitals and clinics, and skilled nursing facilities generally pay more than schools or public and community health services.