BSN Salary Guide: Average Salary of a BSN Nurse by State, Entry-Level Salaries, and Highest Paying BSN Jobs in 2026

 

Two main educational paths can lead you to become a registered nurse. You can either pursue a Bachelor of Science 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, a BSN is increasingly the gold standard in the nursing field, offering 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 $112,350 per year or $54.02 per hour, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and findings by the BSN Nursing Portal.

The BLS reports that the average salary for a registered nurse is $97,550 per year, which amounts to $46.90 per hour, without distinguishing between RNs with a BSN and the rest. However, the BSN Nursing Portal suggests that BSN nurses are the top 25% earners in their field. Thus, we can estimate that the average BSN salary in the US is roughly equivalent to the annual wage of the 75th percentile. 

Additionally, the average BSN salary reported by ZipRecruiter, a job aggregator, appears to provide similar, albeit slightly lower, estimates: $102,263 per year or about $49 per hour. As you can see, there are differences in pay among BSN-level nurses. Remember that accumulating experience and clinical hours will lead to a steady increase in your pay. 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 to enroll in a hybrid BSN Program that provides online concept-based instruction, supervised on-ground field experience, and NCLEX success coaching to help you pass the exam, obtain licensure, and perform in your prospective career. You can complete this program in less than 3 years. 

Discover the BSN Program 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 the current BSN nurse salary estimates for all US states and territories where the BLS has collected wage data, compared to the average RN salaries in each state:

Values had been adjusted to the current cost of living for every US state or territory.

When comparing BSN salary estimates with overall RN pay grades, we need to account for the skewed wage distribution across percentiles. Thus, comparing median RN salaries with BSN salaries across states provides a clearer perspective on the impact of the BSN degree on earning potential.

Top Paying States for BSN Nurses in 2026

For BSN nurses, California tops the list of highest-paying states, both by net and adjusted earnings, with an average estimated salary for BSN nurses of $173,170 per year, and an adjusted salary of $121,694 per year. The net salary estimate exceeds the national median salary by $75,620 and the national mean salary estimate by $71,750. 

Closely following are Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington. In Hawaii, the BSN RN salary is around $144,140 per year, while in Massachusetts, nurses with a Bachelor’s Degree earn approximately $136,110 per year. In Oregon, BSN-trained RNs earn $134,420 annually. Washington ranks fifth among states where BSN nurses are best compensated, with an average annual salary of approximately $134,240.

When evaluating using the adjusted salary, the list of top-paying states changes slightly. Aside from California, which remains in first place, there is Minnesota, with an adjusted BSN salary of $121,311 per year (compared to a net salary of $114,760), Oregon, with $120,233 per year, Nevada, with $120,030 per year, Washington, with $117,651 per year, and Oklahoma, with $115,012 per year.

Below, you can consult a comparison table of the 10 highest-paying US states and territories, ranked by unadjusted and adjusted salaries.

Lowest Paying States for BSN Nurses

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest-paying states or territories for BSN nurses are Puerto Rico ($49,340 per year), Alabama ($83,380 per year), South Dakota ($84,280 per year), Mississippi ($84,500 per year), Iowa ($85,940 per year), and Arkansas ($90,280 per year).

However, it is worth noting that despite persistent pay differences across states, virtually all state-level wage estimates for BSN-prepared registered nurses show an increase in earning potential compared with previous data sets. 

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.

Highest Paying Areas for BSN Nurses

The state or territory you practice in is not the only geographic differentiator for your earning potential; the area — metropolitan or non-metropolitan — where you find placement also influences your salary. Below are the 15 highest-paying geographical areas in the US. Unsurprisingly, virtually all of them are located in California.

Industries with the Highest BSN Salary Estimates

The industry you work in as a BSN nurse will also impact your earning potential, sometimes more than the state or region you work in. Below are the 15 highest-paying industries for BSN nurses, as reported by the BLS:

How Much Does an Entry-Level BSN Nurse Make?

The entry-level pay for BSN-prepared registered nurses is $80,321 annually, or about $38.62 per hour, according to 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 $36,000 and $136,000 yearly. 

The average salary for all entry-level positions in the United States is $56,243 per year, according to job aggregator Talent.com, making the starting salaries of BSN nurses almost $24,078 higher than the base level. 

One factor that influences the salary expectations of registered nurses with a BSN is prior nursing experience. So, if you have been practicing as an RN, pursuing an RN-to-BSN path can dramatically enhance not only your education and skills but also your pay.

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 begun practicing with a BSN or higher. 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 that BSN nurses provide is a key argument in 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 $14,800 more per year than for RNs in general, representing a $2,710 increase in difference from previous estimates. 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 command higher salaries. 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 number of practical hours.

Here are some of the best-paying BSN nursing specialties:

• Nurse case managers: Nurse case managers develop and coordinate long-term care plans for patients who require ongoing medical attention, including geriatric, HIV, or cancer patients. This role typically involves communication with patients, families, providers, and care teams to ensure treatment plans are followed and patient needs are met. Nurse case managers earn nearly $99,000 per year, with an estimated annual salary of $98,869.

• Informatics nurses: Also known as nurse informaticists, these professionals bridge the gap between nursing practice and information technology. Their responsibilities may include analyzing healthcare data, supporting clinical software and hardware, and helping improve patient care through technology. Informatics nurses can expect to earn over $98,000 annually, with an estimated salary of $98,409.

• ICU nurses: ICU nurses work in intensive care units, caring for patients in critical condition who may be ventilated, intubated, or receiving life-saving medications and treatments. Their work requires strong clinical judgment, technical skill, and the ability to perform in highly structured, high-pressure environments. ICU registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $118,725.

• Travel nurses: Travel nurses are RNs who take short-term assignments in different locations across the country or abroad. Because the role is location-dependent and often helps fill urgent staffing needs, travel nursing can offer strong earning potential and flexibility. Travel nurse salaries are estimated at over $101,000 per year, with an average annual salary of $101,132. 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: Also called perioperative nurses, OR nurses work with patients before surgery and may assist the surgical team during procedures. They help maintain a secure, sterile, and ready-to-go operating room environment while also supporting communication with patients and their families. Operating room nurses earn more than $94,500 annually, with an estimated salary of $94,573.

• Oncology nurses: they specialize in caring for patients diagnosed with cancer. They help patients navigate treatment, monitor symptoms and side effects, provide education, and support patients and families through a sensitive and often emotionally demanding area of care. BSN-trained oncology nurses earn over $91,000 per year, with an estimated annual salary of $91,094.

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 to 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 advance 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 an 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 is more manageable, while others find it more pressing to enter the job market as soon as possible and therefore 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 $14,800 higher than the national average for other jobs. Additionally, BSN nurses are among the top earners in their field and have many opportunities to specialize in higher-paying roles.

• How Much Does a BSN Make a Year?

  The average BSN salary in the US is $112,350 per year, or $54.02 per hour, assuming BSN nurses are in the 75th percentile of earners. However, the entry-level salary for nurses with a BSN is estimated at $80,321 per year and can go as low as $61,500 per year. 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, with 51.5% holding that degree when 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 $14,800 more per year for BSN RNs.
• What Is the Highest-Paid Nurse With a BSN?
  The highest BSN nurse salary, in general, is earned by cardiac care unit nurses, at approximately $152,404 per year. They are followed by neonatal nurses, who earn around $127,391 annually, and legal nurse consultants, who earn an estimated $126,227 per year. Other high-paying BSN roles include utilization review nurses, who earn approximately $118,759 annually, and ICU registered nurses, who earn approximately $118,725 annually. Travel nurses also have strong earning potential, with average annual salaries of about $101,132, while oncology nurses earn around $91,094 per year.