Does a clinical manager have to be a nurse?

No, a clinical manager does not have to be a nurse. Nearly half of all clinical managers have a nursing degree, and many of them work as registered nurses before taking on the role. But, this is not required.

How much does a clinical manager make a year?

A clinical manager makes $80,983 a year, on average. That equates to an average of $38.93 per hour. Clinical manager pay ranges from $58,000 at the low end and up to $111,000 for the top 90%. Clinical manager pay varies significantly depending on the clinic size and specific area of care. A nursing manager at a small facility, for example, would likely yield a lower salary than a clinical director at a large public hospital.

Is a clinical manager a doctor?

No, a clinical manager is not a doctor. A clinical manager could have a doctoral degree, though most do not. Just 2.4% of all clinical managers have a doctoral degree. The degree most commonly held by clinical managers is a bachelor's in nursing, and many clinical managers work as registered nurses at some point in their careers.

Is a clinical manager a nurse?

No, a clinical manager is not a nurse. Clinical managers oversee the work that nurses do but are not responsible for direct care. Though, many clinical managers start out as registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.

What degree do you need to be a clinical manager?

The degree you need to be a clinical manager is an associate's or a bachelor's degree, preferably in a healthcare-related field. Though, a master's degree or higher is highly favored and can yield an average of $20,000 more in pay annually.

What is a clinical manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN

A clinical manager oversees the daily operations of a healthcare facility. They manage staff, budgets, and patient care. A clinical manager works with doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality patient caee. They work to deveop and implement policies that promote efficient and effective care. Clinical managers also oversee the hiring, training, and evaluation of staff members. They also ensure legal and regulatory compliance. Clinical managers must have strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to a clinical manager?

Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN

Nurse Educator, Nclex Mentor/Coach

A few ways to maximize earning potential as a new graduate nurse is through skillful negotiations and previous experience in healthcare, such as degree level, nurse externships, phlebotomy skills, or certifications. Many, if not all, employers appreciate that new graduates are equipped with clinical skills that are strongly recommended for the practice area. While many nurse certifications require experience, some are for entry-level, such as advanced life support (ACLS and PALS) and IV insertion. There are also some specialty practice certifications that new grads can obtain without years of experience; although they may recommend the experience at times, this is optional. All of this demonstrates the applicant's commitment to the profession and interest. Other ways are to work overtime hours, learn about clinical career ladders, or continue formal education.

ScoreClinical ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.6

Avg. Salary $84,066

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 8.01%

Black or African American 11.42%

Hispanic or Latino 14.42%

Unknown 4.26%

White 61.17%

Gender

female 77.40%

male 22.60%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a clinical manager?

Pros

Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Competitive salary and benefits
Collaborative work environment
Continuous learning and development
Flexibility in work schedule

Cons

Long work hours, including nights and weekends
Limited time for patient interaction
High risk of burnout and compassion fatigue
Limited control over resource allocation and budget decisions
Difficulty balancing administrative tasks with clinical responsibilities

Key steps to become a clinical manager

Explore clinical manager education requirements

Most common clinical manager degrees

Bachelor's

48.0 %

Associate

23.9 %

Master's

18.0 %

Start to develop specific clinical manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	19.23%
Customer Service	7.61%
Home Health	6.22%
Direct Patient Care	4.95%
Quality Patient Care	4.68%

Complete relevant clinical manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinical managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinical manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinical manager resumes.

Gain additional clinical manager certifications

Clinical manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinical manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinical managers include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research clinical manager duties and responsibilities

Track and manage IRB approvals.
Lead a team of 25 patient service coordinators and receptionists.
Manage and lead teams consisting of multiple internal departments as well as CRO and other vendors.
Manage data for research project billing and accountability for drug study product in accordance with FDA regulations.

Prepare your clinical manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinical manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a clinical manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable clinical manager resume templates

Build a professional clinical manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your clinical manager resume.