The numbers speak for themselves– and nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will earn an average of $14,000 more per year than nurses with an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN). If you are looking for ways to maximize your earning potential (but really… who isn’t?), we’ve got you covered! 

Your nursing degree is a powerful tool that you can use to create the life you want. And we’re not just talking about material possessions– think freedom, security, and the ability to live life on your own terms. 

In this post, we’ll break down the average BSN salary, discuss factors affecting your total income, and share impactful career tips. Now, what would you do with an extra $14,000 per year? 

💡 And just think– $14,000 per year, added up over a 35-year career, will net you an additional $500,000. Pretty worthwhile? We think so!        

What is a BSN Salary? 

A BSN nurse salary is the total annual pay of a nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, and the current average is $86,000 per year. 

A BSN degree provides a solid foundation for your nursing career and an in-depth understanding of nursing theory. It leads to easier opportunities for advancement into leadership roles and is necessary if you choose to pursue an advanced degree with even more earning potential. 

A BSN degree may be a requirement for specific jobs. Let’s take a closer look: 

• A BSN degree takes an average of four years to complete but can be achieved faster if you are eligible for an accelerated program. This degree typically provides the most well-rounded classroom and clinical education foundation for nurses beginning their careers. 

• An ADN degree takes approximately two years to complete. It provides classroom and clinical experiences, but focuses more on skills needed to start working. Nurses with an ADN can begin working and then may later choose to complete a BSN, which takes another one to two years. 

• The Registered Nurse (RN) credential is awarded to both BSN and ADN graduates after they pass their NCLEX-RN examination. It is a requirement for any nursing position.  

On average, nurses with BSN degrees out-earned nurses with ADN degrees in 2024, and this statistic should continue to hold true for 2025. A BSN degree provides easier access to higher-level nursing roles and expanded career opportunities. It pays to level up your nursing education!  

🫶 A note before we continue: All nurses are amazing, competent, and skilled professionals– regardless of their chosen degree, specialty, or career path! There is value in both degrees, and each has pros and cons. An ADN degree costs less and allows you to begin working sooner. Which degree is best for you will vary depending on your unique situation and goals. This post is not intended to promote or elevate one degree over another but to give you the facts on current salary trends and career opportunities. 

BSN Salary Overview

Now, let’s break it down even further. Many factors will impact your total nursing pay, including your experience, location, specialty, certifications, and more. Your BSN nurse salary is heavily influenced by your years of experience in the field, with experienced nurses earning more than their less experienced peers. 

• National Average BSN Salary: 

  • $86,008 annually, or $41.35 per hour 

• Average Entry-Level BSN Salary:

  • $71,236 annually, or $34.25 per hour

• Average Experienced BSN Salary:

  • Your pay will generally increase as your experience grows:

    • $95,667 annually, or $45.99 per hour for the highest 75% of BSN earners. 

    • $104,460 annually, or $50.22 per hour for the highest 90% of BSN earners.

Remember, the above numbers can vary widely depending on your nursing specialty and physical location. After years of experience, specialty and cost of living are typically the next most powerful drivers of your total nursing salary. Further down, we’ share tips to boost your BSN salary regardless of your specialty or where you are located!  

How Does an ADN Salary Compare to a BSN Nurse Salary?

Let’s dig into the difference between ADN and BSN salaries. Below is our breakdown of differences in salary, education, and advancement opportunities between the two degrees. 

Sources: BSN Pay & ADN Pay

It's clear that BSN nurses have expanded access to advancement opportunities and greater pay. What's the reason for the difference? BSN programs provide a comprehensive educational foundation with more coursework on the following:

• Theoretical nursing concepts 

• Nursing history

• Nursing ethics

• Cultural implications

• Leadership skills 

• Anatomy & physiology

• Pathophysiology 

• Pharmacology 

• Microbiology 

These skills often make transitioning into leadership roles, challenging specialties, and advanced degrees easier.

There is no black-and-white rule for which specialties, jobs, or facilities may require a BSN over an ADN degree. ANCC Magnet Recognized Healthcare facilities often require nurses to have a BSN. While you will have abundant career options regardless, having a BSN tends to give you greater access to a broader range of nursing careers. 

What are the Highest Paying BSN Jobs for 2025?

Now, let’s look at the highest-paying specialties available to nurses with BSN degrees. After all, one of the best parts of being a nurse is the wide range of opportunities and specialties you can pursue! 

Keep these specialties in mind if you want to maximize your earning potential in the future. Take this list of average highest paying BSN jobs as a guide– always refer to the individual job posting for a complete list of requirements. Some employers may allow ADN nurses to pursue these roles, and others may not. 

1. Nurse Manager: $124,800 annually, or $60.00 per hour

• Nurse managers oversee a team of nurses who are responsible for patient care and satisfaction, scheduling, budgeting, staff development, and more.  

2. Organ Transplant Coordinator RN: $104,500 annually, or $50.24 per hour

• The nurses have a strong background in critical care and assist with the medical management of donors and coordination of recipients. 

3. Informatics Nurse: $101,697 annually, or $48.89 per hour

• Informatics nurses specialize in developing and modifying healthcare-related information technology and electronic medical records. 

4. Charge Nurse: $99,387 annually, or $47.78 per hour 

• Charge nurses oversee a nursing unit's general flow and day-to-day operations, are a resource for other nurses on shift, and more.

5. Critical Care Transport Nurse: $96,770 annually, or $46.52 per hour

• Also called flight nurses, these RNs transport critically ill patients via helicopter, airplane, and ambulance. 

Tips to Maximize Your BSN Salary

If increasing your salary as a BSN-prepared nurse is your goal, keep these tips in mind to boost your earnings. There are many ways to maximize your income, regardless of your specialty, location, or years of experience.  

1. Negotiate 💁🏾‍♀️

• Nurses are in high demand! Don’t hesitate to negotiate your pay- it's not uncommon for nurses to get better pay by simply asking for it. Keep track of any additional responsibilities you take on, document positive feedback from patients and colleagues, and track your goals and how hard you’ve worked to achieve them. 

2. Get Certified 🏅

• No matter what nursing specialty you choose, a professional organization is likely associated with it. Most hospitals and healthcare organizations will pay an additional hourly rate, or “cert pay,” for each certification you hold. 

Certification pay varies by facility but ranges from $0.50 to $2.00 per hour, per cert. We’ve known nurses making up to $4.00 per hour more by achieving and maintaining their certifications– which adds up to just over $8,000 per year! 

3. Relocate 🚗

• While this may not be feasible for everyone, moving to a city or state known for higher nursing salaries can definitely boost your income. BSN salary by state, city, and region can vary significantly! Make sure you do the math, though, and keep your spending in check– locations with higher salaries often have a higher cost of living associated with them. 

If relocation is appealing to you, here’s our list of the current highest BSN salary by state:

• California

• Hawaii 

• Oregon

• Alaska

• Washington

• New York 

4. Travel Nurse 🩺

• Taking your nursing skills on the road and becoming a travel RN is an excellent way to maximize your BSN pay. Plus, traveling is a great way to see the country, make new friends, and expand your skills. 

Your pay as a travel nurse will vary depending on your specialty, location, tax status, and current demand. Before getting started, take some time to fully understand your contract and the ins and outs of travel nursing. The Rubie network is a great way to connect with other travelers!   

5. Maximize Nights, Weekends, and Overtime ⏰ 

• It’s no secret that nurses working nights, weekends, and overtime can really rake in the cash. While this may not be an option depending on your situation and specialty, it’s something to take advantage of if you are willing and able to. 

Night differentials are frequently in the $5.00 per hour range and up, and weekends are typically $3.00 per hour or more. Overtime can vary from time-and-a-half to double-time, depending on supply and demand. Maximizing these incentives can add up to thousands of dollars per year or more. 

BSN Salary Breakdown: Our Final Thoughts

All nurses are extraordinary healthcare professionals, no matter their degree! The BSN degree holds a clear advantage in terms of income potential and available career opportunities in nursing.  With a BSN, you will typically earn more than your ADN colleagues and be able to advance into higher-paying roles and leadership positions with greater ease. It’s also a must if you want to head back to school for a Master’s or Doctorate degree. 

Remember, raising your nursing pay isn’t only about hitting a six-figure salary– it’s about leveraging your incredibly valuable and versatile nursing degree to create the life you want! What does that look like to you? 

The Rubie Nurse Community is a great way to connect with other nurses and learn how other nurses have maximized their income. Join us to make the most out of your nursing career!