How Much Does a BSN Make an Hour: Demystifying Your Salary Range With a Nursing Degree

By gabriel

10/14/2022

Are you considering a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

You must be interested in knowing your earning potential!

Luckily, BSN nurses make excellent money and have numerous opportunities to earn much higher. A fair return for the effort it takes to acquire the degree.

Read this piece to discover how much a BSN earns per hour and other relevant information, such as how the figures compare to the wages of other RNs, such as Associate and Diploma nurses.

Ready? Here we go!

Key Takeaways

  • The US Bureau of Labor Statistics department reported that BSN-RNs average $77,600 per year. This figure may improve with experience and location.
  • The five top-paying states for BSN nurses are Washington, New York, New Hampshire, California, and Vermont.
  • BSN nurses average over 10% more than ADN nurses per year.

What Is BSN?

A BSN is a degree awarded to nursing students who complete specific 4-year programs in accredited schools. High-school applicants for these programs must meet specific prerequisites, including credits in biology, chemistry, and math.

Registered nurses with lesser degrees may also apply, as the BSN curriculum offers more knowledge and increases ability.

How Much Does a BSN Make a Year?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses is $77,600, beating the national salary average of $51,000+.

What’s better? This average may improve if you’re in a high-paying location, work for a big employer, or are experienced and specialized.

How Much Does a BSN Make an Hour?

Your hourly wage as a BSN nurse commensurates with your annual salary, and it ranges from $28 (North Carolina) to $45 (Washington), although other factors may also contribute.

BSN nurses with five years of experience in Washington or California may earn as high as $65.

What Are the Top-paying States for BSNs?

As a BSN nurse, your state plays a considerable role in your salary. Below, we cite a Ziprecruiter table of the five highest-paying states in the US.

What Is the Average BSN Salary in Each State?

See the table below for the average BSN salary in each state, covering annual, monthly, weekly, and hourly considerations.

State Annual Average Monthly Average Weekly Average Hourly Average
Alabama $69,016 $5,751 $1,327 $33.18
Alaska $73,176 $6,098 $1,407 $35.18
Arizona $73,256 $6,105 $1,409 $35.22
Arkansas $63,981 $5,332 $1,230 $30.76
California $83,471 $6,956 $1,605 $40.13
Colorado $68,123 $5,677 $1,310 $32.75
Connecticut $74,978 $6,248 $1,442 $36.05
Delaware $67,994 $5,666 $1,308 $32.69
Florida $66,604 $5,550 $1,281 $32.02
Georgia $70,668 $5,889 $1,359 $33.97
Hawaii $76,879 $6,407 $1,478 $36.96
Idaho $78,592 $6,549 $1,511 $37.78
Illinois $63,634 $5,303 $1,224 $30.59
Indiana $72,786 $6,065 $1,400 $34.99
Iowa $68,102 $5,675 $1,310 $32.74
Kansas $68,489 $5,707 $1,317 $32.93
Kentucky $69,767 $5,431 $1,253 $33.54
Louisiana $69,294 $5,775 $1,333 $33.31
Maine $77,249 $6,437 $1,486 $37.14
Maryland $72,753 $6,063 $1,399 $34.98
Massachusetts $79,179 $6,598 $1,523 $38.07
Michigan $63,925 $5,327 $1,229 $30.73
Minnesota $71,452 $5,954 $1,374 $34.35
Mississippi $64,166 $5,347 $1,234 $30.85
Montana $74,017 $6,168 $1,423 $35.59
Nebraska $71,585 $5,965 $1,377 $34.42
Nevada $72,601 $6,050 $1,396 $34.90
New Hampshire $84,739 $7,062 $1,630 $40.74
New Jersey $73,703 $6,142 $1,417 $35.43
New Mexico $67,721 $5,643 $1,302 $32.56
New York $87,488 $7,291 $1,682 $42.06
North Carolina $58,250 $4,854 $1,120 $28.00
North Dakota $72,671 $6,056 $1,398 $34.94
Ohio $70,923 $5,910 $1,364 $34.10
Oklahoma $66,532 $5,544 $1,279 $31.99
Oregon $69,488 $5,791 $1,336 $33.41
Pennsylvania $75,659 $6,228 $1,437 $36.37
Rhode Island $73,736 $6,145 $1,418 $35.45
South Carolina $68,357 $5,696 $1,315 $32.86
South Dakota $70,549 $5,879 $1,357 $33.92
Tennessee $71,443 $5,954 $1,374 $34.35
Texas $76,258 $6,355 $1,466 $36.66
Utah $69,916 $5,826 $1,345 $33.61
Vermont $80,022 $6,669 $1,539 $38.47
Virginia $70,647 $5,887 $1,359 $33.96
Washington $93,772 $7,814 $1,803 $45.08
West Virginia $76,026 $6,336 $1,462 $36.55
Wisconsin $71,264 $5,939 $1,370 $34.26
Wyoming $78,178 $6,515 $1,503 $37.59

Source: Ziprecruiter

Are There Other Reasons to Be a BSN Nurse?

BSN-schooled nurses have other benefits apart from superior pay. They include:

Below is a more extensive table of roles you can fill when you advance your BSN degree.

Data culled from ZipRecruiter.com, Salary.com, Payscale.com, and Indeed.com.

Nursing Job Estimated Annual Salary
Cardiac Care Registered Nurse $70,316
Cath Lab Registered Nurse $101,472
Clinical Nurse Specialist $100,523
Critical Care Registered Nurse $94,981
CVICU Registered Nurse $86,647
Emergency Room Registered Nurse $76,415
Family Nurse Practitioner $105,267
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner $119,647
Home Health Nurse $77,808
Informatics Registered Nurse $90,935
Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse $99,043
Medical/Surgical Registered Nurse $95,054
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse $87,269
Oncology Registered Nurse $89,614
Operating Room Registered Nurse $84,163
PACU Registered Nurse $92,397
Pain Management Nurse $98,636
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner $107,067
PICU Registered Nurse $82,929
Progressive Care Unit / Stepdown Registered Nurse $86,924
Psychiatric Registered Nurse $77,853
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner $117,634
Telemetry Registered Nurse $88,005
Wound Care Registered Nurse $76,197

Data culled from ZipRecruiter.com, Salary.com, Payscale.com, and Indeed.com.

Can BSN-RNs Practice in Multiple States With a Single License?

Yes, you can practice interstate as a BSN-holder with a multi-state license. This license is obtainable from the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) program and grants you a permit in over 35 US states.

Participating states in the program are:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Virgin Islands
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

What Is the Cost of Securing a BSN Degree?

The cost of earning a BSN degree depends on two main factors: in-state versus out-of-state and traditional versus accelerated.

In-state students pay more than out-of-state students for traditional programs, with the average cost per credit hour at a community college no more than $100 per hour versus out-of-state tuition rates of up to $250 per credit hour.

As for traditional versus accelerated, accelerated BSN programs cost more than conventional four-year alternatives. Consider it the price for the extra speed!

Are Scholarships Available for BSN Undergrads?

Yes, BSN students can tap into several financial aid choices, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.

Many scholarships follow a central format. For example, the Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship is a one-time general award for students in financial need. In contrast, the $5000 Delaware Nursing Incentive Program is only open to Delaware residents who rank in the upper half of their class.

Here is a select list of BSN scholarships:

To see if you qualify for scholarships, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

How Long Does It Take to Secure Your Nursing license?

Your state of primary residence influences your waiting time, as states issue licenses faster than others. For example, Arizona may take one to two months, while Alaska takes ten business days only.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a BSN?

Taking an accelerated BSN program can earn this degree within 18 months versus four years under a traditional program.

Meanwhile, LPNs in BSN programs generally spend between 28 and 32 months due to the transferable credits.

How Does a Sample BSN Curriculum Look?

Here is a traditional BSN plan by the University of Miami Nursing School:

Areas of Proficiency
Written Communication Skills Credits
ENG 105 English Composition I 3
ENG 106 English Composition II 3
Quantitative Skills
NUR 202 Introductory Statistics in Health Care 3
Areas of Knowledge
Arts & Humanities 9
People & Society 9
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)* 0
Clinical Prerequisites
BIL 150 General Biology 5
& BIL 151 and General Biology Laboratory
CHM
HCS 212 Human Anatomy 4
& HCS 213 and Human Anatomy Laboratory
HCS 215 Principles of Systemic Physiology 3
MIC 301 Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System 3
MTH 3
NUR 202 Introductory Statistics in Health Care 3
NUR 306 Principles of Nutrition 3
NUR 317 Theories in Growth and Development 3
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
Major
NUR 300 Seminar in Inter-Professional Health Care 1
NUR 304 Adult Health I: Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (C) 6
NUR 307 Pharmacology 3
NUR 308 Adult Health II (C) 7
NUR 311 Theories and Concepts of Nursing 2
NUR 314 Health Assessment and Promotion (L) 3
NUR 315 Pathophysiology 3
NUR 318 Women’s Health Nursing (C) 4
NUR 320 Child and Adolescent Health Nursing (C) 4
NUR 400 Theories, Research and Evidence-Based Practice 3
NUR 411 Adult Health III (C) 5
NUR 412 Epidemiology for Population-Based Care 2
NUR 418 Pre-Immersion for Traditional Option Students 0
NUR 430 Leadership in Nursing 3
NUR 441 Public Health Nursing (C) 2
NUR 448 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (C) 4
NUR 453 Role Transition (C) 5
Total Credit Hours 121-122

Here is an example of a shorter RN to BSN curriculum, courtesy of North Carolina Wesleyan University.

How Do I Become a Registered Nurse?

Becoming a registered nurse requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) after completing your program.

This exam covers the eight nursing fields covered in school, from health promotion to pharmacological therapies:

Candidates who pass the NCLEX receive a permanent license subsequent to a temporary one, and the waiting duration depends on your state.

How Much Do BSNs Earn Hourly: Conclusion

The BSN degree is the standard expected of a qualified nurse. This certification holder earns considerably higher than their diploma and associate counterparts and can make even more.

Consider that you work in Washington as a private nurse-midwife with over five years of experience. You’d earn over $120,000 annually! This figure may be better with a multi-state license.

In addition, a favorable jobs outlook with nearly double-digit percentage growth and the growing demand for nurses will ensure you have a steady career to last a lifetime!

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