BSN Nurse Salary in 2025: What Nurses With a Bachelor’s Degree Really Earn
Nursing salaries continue to climb across the United States, and nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are seeing some of the strongest gains. As hospitals push for higher education standards and healthcare grows more complex, employers increasingly reward nurses who bring advanced training to the bedside. The result is a widening pay gap between BSN-prepared nurses and those with associate degrees.
A BSN is no longer just an academic credential. For many employers, it signals leadership readiness, clinical depth, and long-term career investment. Those qualities translate directly into earning power.
How Much Do BSN Nurses Make?
National salary data shows that registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees typically earn higher hourly wages than their associate-degree counterparts. Across the country, BSN nurses commonly earn in the low-to-mid $40 per hour range, though actual pay varies depending on location, specialty, and employer type.
Annual income often falls between the mid-$80,000s and six figures for experienced BSN nurses working in major metropolitan areas. Nurses in high-demand specialties or management-track roles can exceed that range, particularly in states facing staffing shortages.
Healthcare economists note that the salary difference between ADN and BSN nurses may appear modest early in a career, but it compounds over time. Promotions, specialty certifications, and leadership opportunities tend to favor BSN-prepared nurses, accelerating long-term income growth.
BSN Nurse Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Pay (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median RN pay (all RNs: ADN + BSN) | $93,600/year | May 2024 BLS figure |
| BLS median RN hourly (all RNs: ADN + BSN) | $45.00/hour | May 2024 BLS figure |
| BSN nurse average hourly (survey) | $40.98/hour | Nurse.org survey |
| BSN vs ADN hourly difference (survey) | +$3.89/hour | BSN is higher than ADN |
Highest-Paying Jobs for Nurses With a BSN
| Role | Average Pay | Typical Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Educator | $102,263/year | Staff training, evidence-based practice, patient education |
| Pharmaceutical RN | $88,916/year | Med/device education, product support, clinical liaison work |
| RN Case Manager | $82,398/year | Care coordination, discharge planning, long-term care plans |
| Nurse Informaticist | $67,310/year ($32.36/hour) | EHR systems, clinical tech workflows, data + process improvement |
Geography Plays a Major Role
Where a nurse works remains one of the strongest predictors of salary. Coastal and urban regions consistently report higher wages due to cost of living, union presence, and workforce competition.
States in the Northeast and West Coast often lead national pay rankings, with hourly wages approaching or exceeding $45–$50 in some markets. Meanwhile, southern and rural regions typically offer lower averages, though these areas may provide signing bonuses, relocation incentives, or student loan assistance to attract staff.
Experts say salary should be evaluated alongside lifestyle costs. A high wage in an expensive city may not stretch as far as a slightly lower salary in a more affordable region.
BSN Nurse Salary by State (2026 ZipRecruiter)
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $92,690 | $44.56 |
| Alaska | $110,132 | $52.95 |
| Arizona | $95,298 | $45.82 |
| Arkansas | $84,562 | $40.65 |
| California | $100,924 | $48.52 |
| Colorado | $107,532 | $51.70 |
| Connecticut | $97,282 | $46.77 |
| Delaware | $102,351 | $49.21 |
| District of Columbia | $115,560 | $55.56 |
| Florida | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Georgia | $86,349 | $41.51 |
| Hawaii | $106,247 | $51.08 |
| Idaho | $96,219 | $46.26 |
| Illinois | $99,096 | $47.64 |
| Indiana | $97,310 | $46.78 |
| Iowa | $96,052 | $46.18 |
| Kansas | $91,203 | $43.85 |
| Kentucky | $88,818 | $42.70 |
| Louisiana | $87,448 | $42.04 |
| Maine | $99,011 | $47.60 |
| Maryland | $99,251 | $47.72 |
| Massachusetts | $111,684 | $53.69 |
| Michigan | $89,132 | $42.85 |
| Minnesota | $100,158 | $48.15 |
| Mississippi | $96,850 | $46.56 |
| Missouri | $95,923 | $46.12 |
| Montana | $93,862 | $45.13 |
| Nebraska | $97,503 | $46.88 |
| Nevada | $104,135 | $50.06 |
| New Hampshire | $99,452 | $47.81 |
| New Jersey | $103,821 | $49.91 |
| New Mexico | $99,101 | $47.64 |
| New York | $111,879 | $53.79 |
| North Carolina | $92,937 | $44.68 |
| North Dakota | $108,203 | $52.02 |
| Ohio | $97,221 | $46.74 |
| Oklahoma | $94,423 | $45.40 |
| Oregon | $108,121 | $51.98 |
| Pennsylvania | $102,509 | $49.28 |
| Rhode Island | $100,148 | $48.15 |
| South Carolina | $94,896 | $45.62 |
| South Dakota | $102,263 | $49.16 |
| Tennessee | $92,816 | $44.62 |
| Texas | $95,274 | $45.80 |
| Utah | $93,097 | $44.76 |
| Vermont | $108,732 | $52.27 |
| Virginia | $101,386 | $48.74 |
| Washington | $115,823 | $55.68 |
| West Virginia | $79,169 | $38.06 |
| Wisconsin | $103,220 | $49.62 |
| Wyoming | $98,298 | $47.26 |
Source: ZipRecruiter — “What Is the Average BSN Nurse Salary by State (2026)”.
Industry and Employer Matter
Not all healthcare settings pay equally. Government facilities, large hospital systems, and specialty care centers frequently offer stronger compensation packages than smaller clinics or long-term care facilities.
Hospitals remain the dominant employer for BSN nurses and generally provide competitive pay combined with benefits such as retirement plans, continuing education support, and overtime opportunities. Nurses working in administrative, pharmaceutical, or informatics roles may earn higher salaries due to the technical or managerial nature of the work.
Education, consulting, and case management positions also provide alternative career paths where a BSN is often the minimum requirement.
BSN Nurse Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average Annual Pay |
|---|---|
| Government | $106,840 |
| Hospitals (state, local, private) | $97,260 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $83,780 |
| Nursing & residential care facilities | $81,820 |
| Educational services (state, local, private) | $74,360 |
Career Mobility Adds Long-Term Value
One of the strongest financial arguments for earning a BSN is career flexibility. Many advanced roles — including nurse educator, clinical supervisor, public health coordinator, and healthcare technology specialist — require a bachelor’s degree as a baseline credential.
Hospitals seeking accreditation or pursuing “magnet” status increasingly prioritize BSN staffing. This institutional pressure makes bachelor’s preparation a competitive advantage in hiring and promotion decisions.
Recruiters report that BSN nurses are more likely to be considered for leadership pipelines, specialty units, and cross-training programs that lead to higher pay tiers.
Is the BSN Investment Worth It?
The cost of education remains a major factor in the decision. A four-year nursing degree typically requires more time and tuition than an associate pathway. However, many employers offer tuition reimbursement or sponsor RN-to-BSN bridge programs to help working nurses advance.
Workforce analysts argue that the return on investment extends beyond salary alone. BSN programs include coursework in research, public health, leadership, and evidence-based care — skills that strengthen clinical judgment and open doors to non-bedside roles later in a career.
In an industry facing staffing shortages, rising patient complexity, and rapid technological change, education is becoming a key form of job security.
The Bigger Picture for Nursing Salaries
Healthcare demand continues to expand as the population ages and chronic illness increases. Labor forecasts predict steady growth in nursing employment over the next decade, with bachelor’s-prepared nurses positioned for the widest range of opportunities.
For many professionals entering the field, the BSN is evolving from an optional upgrade into a strategic career foundation. Higher education levels are not just shaping paychecks — they are reshaping the structure of modern nursing itself.
