2025 RN to BSN Salary – Learn How Much RN to BSN Graduates Earn?

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

If you are thinking of pursuing an RN to BSN program and you already have a diploma or an associate degree (ADN), you may wonder whether it is worth the time, money, and effort to pursue a baccalaureate education. There are plenty of benefits associated with a BSN degree and how it can change the path of your career for the better. Below you will learn everything you need to know about an RN to BSN salary, in addition to the projected job outlook and career advancement opportunities.

RN to BSN Salary: How Much More will an RN with BSN Earn?

Hourly:

Without a BSN, RNs earn an average hourly wage of $38.78, and this may or may not include overtime hours. However, with a BSN, they earn an average hourly wage that is $5.72 per hour more at $44.50 an hour. This is a significant raise that can make a tremendous difference in the size of your paychecks.

Monthly:

Before a BSN, RNs earn roughly $6,720 a month. After completing an RN to BSN program, they will earn around $7,710 a month, or $990 more.

Annual:

This is where the BSN salary vs. ADN salary truly shines. Prior to obtaining BSNs, RNs earn an average of $80,660 a year, but afterward, they earn $92,560 a year. This is a difference of $11,900 a year, which can go a long way over the course of 25, 30, or even 35 years. Over 35 years, you could have paid off a nice three-bedroom house in most states from the additional income alone.

RN to BSN Salary: Salary by Level of Experience Compared to RN without BSN

Your experience will have a lot to do with your RN to BSN salary, as well. With up to five years of experience, you can earn an average salary that tops out at as high as $70,190, but by the time you have 20 years of experience or more, that salary climbs to as much as $136,210. Though this is not the only factor that can influence your salary as a BSN-educated RN, it is one of the most important. Keep in mind that many of the benefits associated with obtaining higher education will only make themselves known to you in time.

RN to BSN Salary: State Wise Average Salary Figures Compared to RN without BSN

The difference in salary you might notice after completing an RN to BSN program will also vary somewhat from one state to the next. States that tend to pay RNs more in general often seem to have the biggest pay differential between degrees, too. As an example, in California, where RNs earn $139,250 before they obtain a bachelor’s degree, they earn $17,900 more once they do have the degree for a post-BSN salary of $121,350.

Annual Job Openings - RN with BSN vs RN without BSN

Job security is another important factor, particularly when it comes to choosing the job that best suits your personal needs. RNs who do not have a BSN degree have access to 59,740 new and replacement jobs each year, while those who do have BSN degrees have access to 107,490 jobs. That’s a difference of more than 47,750 jobs, and some of these offer better hours and benefits, too.

State Wise Annual Job Openings - RN with BSN vs RN without BSN

The states that hire the highest number of RNs boast the largest increase in jobs for RNs who successfully earn BSN degrees. California offers RNs without BSN degrees access to 6,230 jobs each year compared to the 11, 210 jobs offered to baccalaureate-educated RNs each year in the same state. That’s a difference of 4,980 jobs for RNs who further their education.

10 Year Employment Outlook – RN with BSN vs RN without BSN

Before earning your bachelor’s degree, you can expect 4.46% growth in the nursing field between 2021 and 2031 with the addition of 41,790 jobs. However, after earning your BSN, that number skyrockets to 119,020 jobs, representing growth of 7.26%. There are many different reasons for this, but a few stand out as the most important. Of these, the Institute of Medicine’s push to have 80% of all RNs in the country educated at the BSN level or above by 2020 is the biggest driving force. This comes in direct response to studies showing that higher education among nursing staff has a significant positive impact on patient outcomes.

State Wise 10 Year Employment Outlook – RN with BSN vs RN without BSN

The state in which you work will play a role in your overall employment outlook between the years of 2021 and 2031, as well. The nursing shortage has reached crisis levels in some states, and in these locations, you will have access to numerous jobs. Some of the best examples of this include states like California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. Of course, growing populations also have an effect. In California, RNs without BSNs will have access to 8,670 new jobs in this timeframe; those who have BSNs will have access to 20,140.

Post RN to BSN - Opportunities to Advance My Career

Career advancement is another important consideration, and by finishing an RN to BSN program, you can improve your qualifications. These programs put a great deal of focus on leadership and management, for example, which means you can work as a charge nurse, a nurse manager, or nurse supervisor. The program is also heavily research-focused in some cases, which is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the role of registered nursing in groundbreaking research and use your skills to advance global medicine. Finally, you might also go into case management, which requires you to coordinate care for your patients.

Post RN to BSN - Opportunities to Study Further

Simply having a bachelor’s degree in nursing will open many doors, but you might decide to pursue further education. This will have a tremendous impact on your job, your salary, and your future employment opportunities.

Master’s Degree (MSN/MS)

Goal of MSN/MS Program:

MSN/MS programs result in a master’s degree in nursing which will provide you with better career prospects and prepare you for leadership roles. For instance, this will include learning how to run a healthcare facility as a business, or even teach or recruit nurses.

MSN/MS Program Length (1-2 years):

The MSN/MS program length will vary somewhat, but it will take you an average of two years to complete. Some programs can be completed in a little over one year, though these are rare.

Post MSN/MS Career Paths:

After completing your master’s degree, there are dozens of different career paths you can take. Some of the most popular include family nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, nurse manager, patient safety director, and quality improvement executive, among others.

MSN/MS Degree Holder Salary:

After earning your master’s degree, you will experience a significant increase in your salary. On average, that salary increases to as much as $145,470, or the equivalent of $69.94 an hour. With more knowledge and abilities comes more responsibility, especially in healthcare. Employers pay handsome salaries to attract the best possible nursing talent.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)/Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree

Goal of PhD/DNP Program:

A PhD or DNP degree is a doctorate degree, which represents the highest degree of its kind. Medical doctors have PhD degrees, too, which helps to shine some light on just how involved it can be to get this level of education. The goal is to provide you with as much knowledge as possible, allowing you to not only work directly with patients, but also train and mentor other healthcare providers.

PhD/DNP Program Length (4-6 Years):

PhD and DNP programs take anywhere from four to six years to complete, and this includes not only the time you spend studying, but also time spent participating in clinicals.

Post PhD/DNP Career Paths:

After completing your doctorate degree, there are many high-profile positions to aim for. You could work as a chief nurse anesthetist, a clinical research director, a nurse midwife, or even a healthcare lobbyist who brings information to local, state, and federal politicians for their consideration in lawmaking.

PhD/DNP Degree Holder Salary:

After earning your PhD or DNP degree, your salary can skyrocket. On the high end of the scale, you can earn as much as $160,800, which is equal to $77.31 an hour or $13,400 a month – almost the same as a physician if not more in some states. Your new position comes with a great deal of responsibility, and because of this, you can expect a much higher salary than with a BSN or MSN degree.

Conclusion: Is the Time, Efforts and Money that will go into earning an RN to BSN worth It?

With all this information in mind, it stands to reason that completing an RN to BSN program is almost always the best course of action. The salary is higher, the job outlook is better, and other paths to master’s and doctorate degrees become clear to you, as well. What’s more, due in part to the push to educate 80% of nurses at the BSN level, many states now offer RN to BSN programs in community colleges, which makes them incredibly affordable – especially with grants and scholarships to help absorb some of the costs. Though it may take some time for the salary change to become noticeable, you will have access to more (and better) jobs immediately after completion.




RN to BSN Programs in Your City & State