Salary depends on employer, experience, specialty, and location. Here's how the two degrees compare on pay, programs, and long-term options.
ADN vs. BSN Degree Programs
An ADN is an undergraduate degree that takes two to three years. It's the fastest, cheapest route to becoming a registered nurse. Most ADN programs run through community colleges, where tuition is lower than at a four-year university. You can earn an ADN at some four-year schools too, but expect to pay more.
A BSN usually takes four years. Either way, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN to get licensed in their state.
Employers increasingly want the BSN. In its 2024 survey, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that about 72% of employers strongly prefer BSN graduates and 28% require at least a BSN for new RN hires. The BSN is also now the most common entry degree for RNs: the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey found 46% of nurses started with a BSN, up from 39% in 2015.
A BSN also opens more doors. It's the standard prerequisite for a master of science in nursing (MSN), which leads to nurse practitioner and other advanced practice roles where salaries reach six figures. You can earn an ADN first and then bridge into a BSN program at a university. You do not need an associate degree to start a BSN.
ADN vs. BSN Salary
The pay gap between an associate and a bachelor's degree shows up across most industries, and nursing is no exception. Payscale data puts BSN nurses about $18,000 ahead of ADN nurses on average.
ADN Nurse Salary
ADN nurses earn about $80,000 per year on average, according to Payscale (September 2025). Pay varies by role and experience. Common positions and average salaries for ADN nurses:
- Home health nurse: $73,461
- Emergency room nurse: $79,050
- Oncology nurse: $85,936
- Operating room nurse: $84,266
Building specialty experience and earning certifications open new opportunities. ADN nurses can also bridge to a BSN through an RN-to-BSN program, often with employer tuition reimbursement covering part of the cost.
BSN Nurse Salary
BSN nurses earn about $99,000 per year on average, according to Payscale. With experience, they can move into leadership and supervisory roles, including positions that don't involve direct patient care. Common positions and average salaries for BSN nurses:
- Clinical research nurse: $80,524
- Legal nurse consultant: $90,493
- Charge nurse: $85,918
- Nurse manager: $99,901
The BSN is also a stepping stone. It's a standard prerequisite for MSN programs and for advanced practice training as a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. An advanced degree also opens nurse manager, director, and nurse executive roles.
ADN vs. BSN Salary: Side by Side
Your degree level affects your earnings. The 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey found average RN salary rising with each degree level, with doctor of nursing practice (DNP) holders earning the most.
ADN vs. BSN: Salary and Career Outlook
Nurses are in demand regardless of degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects RN employment will grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the 3% average for all occupations, with about 189,100 openings each year. The national median RN wage was $93,600 in May 2024 (BLS); the Payscale averages above reflect self-reported pay for ADN- and BSN-prepared nurses specifically.
The differences sharpen between the two degrees. Beyond the employers requiring or preferring a BSN, New York enacted a "BSN in 10" law in 2017 requiring all RNs in the state to earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure. The BSN became the most common degree among nurses seeking RN licensure for the first time in 2022, per HRSA.
Facilities with more BSN-trained nurses tend to see better patient outcomes. The AACN reports that a higher share of BSN-educated nurses was associated with 24% better odds of survival among patients in cardiac arrest.
Both degrees lead to RN licensure, and each has tradeoffs. Pick the path that fits your situation. But on salary and professional options, the BSN holds a clear edge, even if it costs more time and money up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ADN and BSN nurses earn the same starting pay? Often close at entry level, since both sit the same NCLEX-RN and hold the same license. The gap widens with experience: Payscale puts BSN nurses about $18,000 ahead of ADN nurses on average, and the BSN opens leadership and advanced-practice roles that an ADN does not.
Is a BSN required to work as an RN? No. You can become a licensed RN with an associate degree (ADN). But the AACN's 2024 survey found 28% of employers require a BSN for new RN hires and 72% strongly prefer one, so an ADN can limit which hospitals will hire you.
How much do registered nurses make nationally? The median RN wage was $93,600 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies widely by state, setting, and specialty.
Can I start with an ADN and earn a BSN later? Yes. RN-to-BSN bridge programs let licensed ADN nurses finish a bachelor's, often online and while working, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement toward the cost.
Will an ADN or BSN affect my job outlook? Demand is strong for both. BLS projects 5% RN job growth from 2024 to 2034 with about 189,100 openings a year, though employer BSN preferences mean a bachelor's can broaden where you qualify.
Does a BSN lead to higher-paying roles than an ADN? Yes. A BSN is the standard prerequisite for an MSN and advanced-practice training as a nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, or nurse anesthetist, where salaries reach six figures, and it qualifies you for nurse manager, director, and executive positions.