As a registered nurse, you may wonder what the salary for an RN with an associate’s degree is. The infographic below gives you the answer, showing that an RN with an associate’s degree can earn up to $69,435 per year. Use this information as a guide to help you plan your career path as a licensed nurse.
Registered nurses with associate’s degrees can earn a higher salary, but they may have to travel outside of the United States to find jobs. A nursing degree will aid in receiving additional certifications, as well as promotions within the medical field.
The average yearly salary for a Registered Nurse with an Associate’s Degree is $54,000 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for Registered Nurses was $68,450 in May 2010.
Salary For RN With Associate’s Degree Overview
It’s a common question: is it worth it to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing? It’s a four-year commitment, and depending on where you live, the cost of tuition may be steep. But if you do decide to go for your B.S., how much money will you make?
The answer depends on where you live and what kind of nursing job you take. In general, though, the picture is pretty good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for RNs with an associate’s degree is $70K per year; for those with a BSN or higher, it’s $97K per year. That’s an increase of $27K over the associate-degree holders’ salaries—not bad!
Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) Salary
An associate degree in nursing, or ADN, is an excellent first step toward a fulfilling career as a registered nurse. The average ADN salary is one of the primary benefits associated with this career choice, so if you are considering an ADN program, learning more about your expected salary and the factors that influence it can help you make a better decision. Here, you will learn more about your starting and average salary, expected salary growth, and what you can do to earn more money as you take further steps along your career path.
What Can I Do with an Associate Degree in Nursing?
Requirements to become a nurse will vary depending on the nursing career you’re after; however, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a great introductory degree if you are interested in becoming a nurse. Once you complete an ADN, you’ll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN certification exam for registered nurses (RNs). As an RN, you’ll work above a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN).
As an RN, you’ll be able to take on more responsibilities and roles than an LPN. You’re more likely to work closely with patients and doctors, treating patients and carrying out medical orders. As an RN, you’ll need to check on vitals, administer medication and treatment, keep patient records, and monitor any changes. You’ll also act as a liaison between the patient and his/her family and the medical team. As an RN, you’ll be an important face for the clinic or hospital when the doctor is unavailable. RNs work in almost every medical field, so you can work in a clinic, private office, hospital, community center, home healthcare office, retirement home, and school. The table below shows the average salary of RNs in some of these environments.
Starting Salary of a Newly Graduated RN with ADN?
The expected associates degree in nursing salary for new graduates who are just entering the workforce is roughly $51,280 a year, which equals $24.65 an hour or $4,270 a month for full-time RNs. This is an excellent starting salary, and when compared to other career choices that require only an associate degree for entry-level positions, it is also among the highest.
| Type | Salary |
| Hourly | $24.65 |
| Monthly | $4,270 |
| Annual | $51,280 |
Average Salary of an RN with ADN?
The average RN with associate’s degree in nursing salary is $70,820 a year, which is equal to $34.05 an hour or $5,900 a month for RNs working full-time. This salary is the average for all ADN-educated RNs regardless of experience, location, employer, and specialization. You can expect a lower salary when you first enter the workforce, but this will grow with time as you gain more experience. You will also earn a bigger salary in highly-populated metro areas as compared to more rural locations. Finally, RNs with ADNs who work for state or government-owned hospitals tend to earn higher salaries than those working for private.
| Type | Salary |
| Hourly | $34.05 |
| Monthly | $5,900 |
| Annual | $70,820 |
| (Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Employment & Salary of RNs with ADN in Various Healthcare Settings
The setting in which you choose to work will also play a role in your salary as an RN with an ADN degree. RNs in federal government earn the most with an average salary of $84,180. ADN-educated RNs working for elementary and secondary schools tend to earn the least at $57,150, on average.
| Industry | Employment | Average Salary | Annual Salary Range | |
| Hourly | Annual | |||
| Private Hospitals | 477,760 | $36.55 | $73,530 | $49,850 – $103,870 |
| Offices of Physicians | 64,690 | $32.16 | $64,700 | $41,150 – $93,790 |
| Home Health Care Services | 59,170 | $33.77 | $67,930 | $45,160 – $97,590 |
| Local Government Owned Hospitals | 57,810 | $34.96 | $70,340 | $45,700 – $100,650 |
| Nursing Care Facilities | 51,300 | $31.59 | $63,560 | $45,260 – $87,210 |
| Federal Government | 26,140 | $41.84 | $84,180 | $61,840 – $111,880 |
| State Government Owned Hospitals | 20,750 | $38.35 | $77,160 | $50,290 – $115,970 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 18,420 | $36.78 | $74,010 | $51,080 – $102,140 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | 16,010 | $28.40 | $57,150 | $33,450 – $85,100 |
| Temporary Help Services | 13,280 | $33.86 | $68,130 | $39,890 – $98,820 |
| (Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
