How Much Do Nurses Make? Salary and Career Outlook

Nursing school is an investment in your future, offering excellent earning potential as a nurse. You might even be wondering how much does a nurse make in a year? The short answer is that the earning potential depends on the level of education you invest in and the role you choose.

From working in a hospital to healthcare administration to assisted living, there are many tracks you can take, and all will have different salaries. If and when you choose to add advanced credentials like a Master of Science (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), this added experience will open even more advancement opportunities. This is also true for LPNs seeking to advance their education through an ADN or BSN program to obtain their RN licensure.

Nurses are always needed. In fact, this is only becoming truer as the years go by; employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations (BLS). Employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners (NPs) is projected to grow 40% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations (BLS). We see this trend in geriatric and long-term care as well.

Because of an aging population, we’re seeing huge growth in areas that are specific to aging, such as nursing homes, in-home nurses, dementia care, hospice care, etc. In terms of specialty care, nurses who are specialized in areas such as cardiac care, emergency medicine, neonatal, etc., are in high demand as the need for specialized and well-educated nurses in these areas is continuing to grow (CSP).

There are many factors that impact a nurse’s salary, such as their role. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) determines that the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $62,340 in 2024. Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. BLS LPN/LVN

The BLS also reports that the average salary for registered nurses (RNs) in the United States is $93,600, but this is just a national average and will vary by location. While the BLS doesn’t specifically break out RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), those with a BSN typically have higher earning potential. Some sources suggest the median for BSN-prepared RNs is around $96,000 annually, though salaries vary significantly based on factors like industry, specialization, and location. BLS RN

When you expand this calculation to include other types of nursing positions, such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, the average salary goes up to $132,050. However, these types of specialty roles require a Master’s degree or MSN (BLS NP). Often, salaries will be different in nursing positions due to differing levels of education required, and can depend on the area of expertise.

Another factor that impacts a nurse’s salary is the state and region in which they live and work. The highest paying locations are those that either have a higher cost of living or place emphasis on healthy living (Drexel). Shown below are examples of the annual mean wage for RNs in the highest-paying states:

While these are the highest paying states, the highest demand for nursing professionals are usually in rural hospitals and places where there is a scarcity of healthcare options . If you choose to live in one of these rural locations and have a nursing degree, there is a likelihood you’ll be in high demand. As for your specific area, learn more about salaries as an RN or licensed practical or vocational nurse at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are a few other important factors that influence a nursing salary such as education level, area of specialty, and amount of experience. For example, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) makes the absolute most out of any nursing specialty due to the requirement of advanced training and degrees, specifically a doctorate, with an average salary of $214k (BLS). Next to that, Nurse Practitioners (NP) earn the second largest salaries, with ones in the psychiatric-mental health field currently earning the most annually on average ($134k), according to Medscape. NPs specializing in adult gerontology acute care are not far behind with an average annual salary of $132k.

As in many career realms and industries, the more education you have under your belt, the better your potential for career growth and earning potential. At Galen, we help you pursue your dreams and further your nursing degree so you can achieve your goals. Whether you aspire to be an RN or pursue a career as a CRNA, we’ll help you find the right path to reach your maximum earning potential.

Whether your goal is to build a career or fulfill a calling, you can find a high level of support at Galen College. Talk to us about your goals, and we’ll help you answer any questions you might have, as well as provide resources. We’ll support you with advisors, job fairs and markets, healthcare employer visits, job placement services, and many more. Learn more about the many opportunities in nursing.