BSN Salary Guide: Average Salary of a BSN Nurse by State, Entry-Level Salaries, and Highest Paying BSN Jobs in 2024

Two main educational paths can lead you to become a registered nurse. You can either pursue a Bachelor in Nursing (BSN) Degree right off the bat, or you can get an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and start practicing as an RN as soon as you pass the NCLEX-RN exam. However, having a BSN is increasingly becoming the gold standard in the nursing field, garnering more job opportunities, significant benefits, and higher pay. 

You may ask yourself whether pursuing a more advanced nursing education is worth it. Will the paycheck truthfully reflect the funds, time, and energy you invested in getting the degree? In this article, we provide you with the projected average BSN salary you may expect based on your place of employment, as well as your state and chosen profession. 

Here are the current BSN salary figures and estimations:

What Is the Average BSN Salary for Nurses?

The average BSN salary in the US is $104,670 per year or $50.32 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and findings by the BSN Nursing Portal.

The BLS indicates that the average salary for a registered nurse is $86,070 per year, amounting to a $41.38 hourly wage, not differentiating between RNs with a BSN degree and the rest. However, the BSN Nursing Portal suggests that BSN nurses are 25% top earners in their field. Thus, we can estimate that the average BSN salary in the US is roughly equivalent to the annual wage of 75th-percentile earners. 

Additionally, the average BSN salary reported by ZipRecruiter, a job aggregator, seems to provide similar albeit slightly lower estimates, with the average BSN salary being $90,046 per year and $43 per hour and the 75th percentile salary being $102,000 per year. As you can see, there are differences in pay among BSN-level nurses. Remember that accumulating experience and clinical hours will come with a constant increase in your payment. Learn how to advance your nursing career to achieve your desired BSN salary.

If you are starting from zero, the best and most accessible option for you is enrolling in a hybrid BSN Program that provides online concept-based instruction, supervised on-ground field experience, and NCLEX success coaching to pass the exam, gain your licensure, and perform in your prospective career. You can complete this program in less than 3 years. 

Alternatively, if you already are a practicing RN, you can further your education and increase your earning prospects within 1 year via an RN-to-BSN Track that is 100% online.

Discover the academic programs at Nightingale College and enroll today!

Average BSN Nurse Salary by State

A BSN Nurse’s earning potential can differ considerably based on where they practice. Below, you will find a list of all 50 states and their corresponding BSN salary of currently  working nurses, compared to the average RN salaries in each state:

* Values had been adjusted to the cost of living for every US state.

** When comparing BSN salary estimates with overall RN pay grades, we need to account for the skewed distribution of wages across percentiles. Thus, contrasting the median RN salary with the BSN salary for nurses in every state provides a better perspective on the impact of the BSN degree on earning potential.

Top Paying States for BSN Nurses in 2024

For BSN nurses, California tops the list of highest-paying states,  with the average estimated salary for nurses with a BSN being $168,280 per year. The salary exceeds the national median salary by $82,210 and the national mean salary by $73,800. 

Closely following are Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York. In Hawaii, the BSN RN salary is around $138,060 per year, while in Massachusetts, nurses with a Bachelor’s Degree earn a yearly pay of approximately $132,120. In Washington, BSN-trained RNs earn $128,140 annually. New York comes in fifth among the states where BSN nurses are compensated best, with the average annual salary being approximately $126,080, which is $40,010 over the national median wage and $31,600 over the mean wage for RNs.

Lowest Paying States for BSN Nurses

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest-paying states for BSN nurses are Alabama ($79,100 per year), South Dakota ($79,450 per year), Mississippi ($80,400 per year), Iowa ($80,490 per year), and Arkansas ($81,450 per year).

State-by-state differences pervade the salary expectations of all categories of nurses. We recommend that you read our nurse salary by state study to see how the BSN nursing salary compares to other types, depending on your residence, role, and workplace.

How Much Does an Entry-Level BSN Nurse Make?

The estimated entry-level BSN nurse salary can itself be an argument for advancing your education. The entry-level pay for BSN registered nurses is $44,867 annually or around $22 per hour. Remember that this figure is a nationwide approximation reported by ZipRecruiter. The entry-level wages of an RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing can vary significantly depending on location, employer, or industry. Generally, at the start of their nursing career, BSN RNs can expect to earn between $23,000 and $77,500 yearly. 

The average base salary for all entry-level positions in the United States is $35,103 per year, according to job aggregator Talent.com, making  BSN nurses’ starting salaries almost $9,764 higher than the national average. 

One element that adds to the salary expectations of registered nurses with a BSN is previous nursing experience. So, if you have been professing in the field as an RN, pursuing an RN-to-BSN path can enhance not only your education and aptitudes but also your pay dramatically.

Enroll in Nightingale College’s RN-to-BSN Track and increase your chances of a higher paycheck!

ADN vs. BSN Salary: Which RN Certification Pays Better? 

Completing a 2-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing and taking the NCLEX-RN is still a viable option for starting an RN career. However, getting an ADN is losing ground. Earning a BSN is becoming the standard for pursuing a nursing career as an RN. 

According to the Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, since 2022, around 51.5% of entry-level nurses have started practicing with a BSN or higher degree. Additionally, approximately 71.7% of RNs already have a baccalaureate or higher type of accreditation.

Requirements and demands for entry-level RNs may differ from one state to another, and you should read more about nurse qualifications and requirements by state along these lines.

There are many reasons why starting with or advancing to a BSN is recommended for RNs and other staff alike. The enhanced quality of care BSN nurses provide is one argument at the forefront of the debate. Studies have shown that higher levels of education are associated with better nursing outcomes, lower mortality rates, and fewer medication errors. That’s at least part of why the most significant institutions, such as the Institute of Medicine, strongly encourage nurses to pursue BSN degrees. 

Employers’ preferences for RNs with a BSN are also reflected in your expected salary, with the median annual pay for BSN-trained nurses receiving $12,090 more per year than for RNs in general. So, the outcome difference between getting an ADN or a BSN degree will show quickly in your salary. However, there is a difference in the types of nurses ADN- and BSN-trained RNs can specialize in, with some of the highest-paying nursing jobs requiring a Bachelor’s degree.

Read our article on the BSN vs. ADN comparison to learn all relevant differences and make the best choice for your nursing career.

What Are the Highest Paid BSN Nurse Roles?

Although the overall median salary for BSN nurses is $101,100 or $48,60 per hour, some specializations and nursing roles may garner a higher salary. These professions are accessible if you have earned a Bachelor's in Nursing but may require you to receive additional certification or complete a given amount of practical hours.

Here are the best-paying BSN nursing specialties:

• Nurse case managers – To fulfill the role of a nurse case manager, many institutions and employers will ask for an MSN. However, in some cases, having a BSN degree is enough for eligibility. As a nurse case manager, you can expect a BSN salary ranging from an average of $98,869 to $119,500 for 75th percentile earners, with top earners making up to $151,000 annually.
• Informatics nurses – Also known as nurse informaticians, they are expected to receive a salary of $101,628 annually. Informatics nurses bridge the gap between the nursing workforce and the IT staff to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. 
• ICU nurses – Their line of work is inextricably linked to the Intensive Care Unit, where the patients are in extremely critical conditions, either ventilated, intubated, or need life-saving treatment. ICU nurse salaries add up to $102,003 for the 75th percentile of earners, significantly higher than the average estimated BSN salary. 
• Travel nurses – These are BSN-trained professionals with a high earning potential, as well as having annual salaries estimated at $121,710 per year. Since travel nursing is a location-dependent profession, you should first consult the travel nurse salaries by state to know what you can expect. There are also multiple travel nursing jobs that you can specialize in, each resulting in a different annual salary.
• Operating room registered nurses – Perioperative nurses work with patients right before they undergo surgery. When necessary, they help the surgeon during medical procedures, ensuring the OR environment is as secure and sterile as possible. The yearly BSN salary of perioperative RNs ranges from $95,076 to $103,331 annually. 
• Oncology nurses – These nurses have a very specialized role in treating and caring for patients who are diagnosed with cancer. It’s a sensitive area of practice but also an exceptionally lucrative one. Oncology registered nurses get paid around $115,751 per year.

Discover more of the highest-paying BSN jobs to discover more career options and their salary benefits. You should also explore all BSN jobs and analyze their pros and cons.

If you are already an RN and want to unlock the best-paid work options, earning your BSN degree is the first step. However, you don’t have to go back and complete a 3-to-4-year program. Instead, by choosing an RN-to-BSN fast-track, you can further your education in just one year of study.

At Nightingale College, you can complete the RN-to-BSN Track in just 1 year and 100% online, so you don’t have to completely pause your professional activity. This career-friendly option was designed for practicing professionals who want to comply with current industry requirements and forward their education. 

Enroll in our RN-to-BSN Track and unlock your high-earning potential!

Are You Ready to Increase Your Earnings With a BSN Degree?

BSN nurses are instrumental in the healthcare industry, providing crucial daily care in multiple healthcare environments. There’s also incredibly high demand for them as the nursing shortage affects many US states. BSN registered nurses earn considerably higher salaries than their non-BSN counterparts, and more and more employers are showing a preference for BSN graduates.

Taking all facts into consideration, it’s well worth it to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Of course, everyone has their own timeline. For some, pursuing a BSN degree is more manageable, while others find it more pressing to enter the job market as soon as possible, so they would instead opt for the ADN path. Regardless of when you choose to pursue a more advanced degree, one thing is clear: a BSN will surely put you on the path to a high-paying nursing career. If you are ready to start or further your education, improve your career, and increase your salary, we are here to help.

If you want to start with a Bachelor’s right away, you can enroll in Nightingale College’s BSN Program, where you attend a hybrid program combining online learning and on-ground supervised field practice. The 3-year BSN program will fully prepare you to become an RN and prove successful in your future workplace.

Start your nursing career with our BSN Program! Send in your application today!

Alternatively, if you already have an ADN and are currently a registered nurse, you can opt to further your education through the RN-to-BSN Track. This fully online 1-year program effectively upgrades you from an RN to a BSN RN with full credentials. 

Upgrade your degree with our RN-to-BSN Track!

BSN RN Salary FAQs

Is It Worth Getting a BSN in Nursing?

If you want to work as a registered nurse, getting a BSN degree is well worth the time and effort, especially when considering salaries. The entry-level BSN salary is $9,764 higher than the national average for other jobs. Additionally, BSN nurses are 25% top earners in their field and have many opportunities to specialize for better-paid specializations.

How Much Does a BSN Make a Year?

The average BSN salary in the US is $104,670 per year or $50.32 per hour if we estimate BSN nurses to be in the 75th percentile of earners. However, the entry-level salary for nurses with a BSN can be as low as $44,867 per year or $22 per hour. So, accumulating experience is the primary way of reaping the benefits of your BSN degree.

What Percentage of Nurses Have Their BSN Earned?

According to the AACN Nursing Portal, approximately 71.7% of all registered nurses have earned a BSN or higher degree, with 51.5% holding the degree the moment they entered the workforce. In other words, the BSN degree is becoming the standard for the RN profession.

What Pays Better, ADN or BSN?

The BSN salary is generally better, with registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree being the top 25% earners in their field (including registered nurses with an ADN). The difference in pay between non-BSN and BSN nurse salaries is approximately $12,090 more per year for BSN RNs.

What Is the Highest Paid Nurse With a BSN?

The best BSN nurse salary, in general, is encountered by travel nurses (approximately $121,710 per year) if we exclude nurse case manager positions that generally require an MSN. Oncology nursing comes second in line with around $115,751 per year, followed by perioperative nursing, with $103,331, and ICU nursing, with $102,003 per year for the 75th percentile.