RN: Salary, Job Growth, and Benefits
Written by:
Wilson College
• Jun 26, 2026
Nursing is a rewarding, in-demand profession. Registered nurses (RNs) benefit from above-average salaries, strong job growth, and other professional benefits. The median RN salary is among the highest salaries in healthcare for careers that don’t require a graduate degree. The profession also has a high number of job openings and many opportunities to specialize or advance.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can advance their careers through additional education. In a two- to three-year LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program , LPNs can meet the education requirement for RN licensure and prepare to enjoy the benefits of becoming an RN.
What Are the Responsibilities of an RN?
RNs provide bedside care to patients, promote healthy behaviors, and educate patients about health conditions. Their duties include conducting comprehensive health assessments, administering medical treatments, and assisting healthcare professionals during procedures. RNs may also supervise nursing staff, including LPNs.
Compared with LPNs, RNs have more clinical responsibilities and greater autonomy. The duties of an LPN vs. RN vary, with LPNs providing basic patient care and RNs providing comprehensive care. LPNs typically work in residential care facilities, doctor’s offices, and home healthcare settings. Most RNs work in hospitals, where they treat patients in a wider variety of specialty areas than LPNs do.
Common RN specialties include:
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Critical Care Nursing: Critical care nurses are RNs who work in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments to provide care for patients with complex medical needs.
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Home Health Nursing: Home health nurses are RNs who provide care in patients’ homes, including administering medications and checking vital signs.
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Medical-Surgical Nursing: Medical-surgical nurses are RNs who work in hospitals and surgical clinics caring for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures.
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Mental Health Nursing: Mental health nurses are RNs who assess and monitor patients in psychiatric hospitals and other settings related to mental healthcare.
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Neonatal Nursing: Neonatal nurses are RNs who care for newborn babies, including premature infants and those with health complications.
RNs need either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN to receive RN licensure depending on state-specific requirements.
Benefits of Becoming an RN
LPNs who advance their knowledge and skills with an RN program can boost their salary potential and qualify for more jobs. A BSN also positions nurses for in-demand roles and career advancement opportunities.
Strengthen Clinical Skills
BSN curriculums emphasize clinical judgment, problem-solving, and patient care skills. BSN students develop clinical abilities during coursework and supervised clinical experiences. The advanced clinical training in a bachelor’s nursing program also prepares RNs for specialties including leadership and management roles.
Meet the Growing Demand for RNs
Although RNs make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce in the nation—at nearly 3.4 million—the healthcare system desperately needs new RNs to meet growing demand.
The United States is projected to face a 10% shortage of RNs in 2027, according to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA). That translates into more than 300,000 unfilled positions for RNs.
Pursue Career Advancement
Nurses with a BSN benefit from more job opportunities than those with an ADN. According to 2023 survey data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 70% of employers reported a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses when hiring RNs.
BSN-prepared RNs also have more opportunities to advance their nursing careers. These RNs can advance by earning specialty certification, taking on supervisory duties, or pursuing a graduate degree.
Increase Earning Potential
When comparing the LPN vs. RN salary, LPNs who earn an RN license can increase their earning potential significantly. Nationally, LPNs reported a median annual pay of $62,340 in 2024, according to BLS data. In contrast, RNs earned a median annual wage of $93,600.
BSN graduates also have a strong job placement record. According to the AACN survey data, 96% of BSN graduates received a job offer within four to six months of completing their programs.
RN Salary and Job Growth
The salary and job outlook for RNs remain strong. While the BLS reported a median annual pay of $93,600 in 2024, the top 10% earned more than $135,000. RNs who worked in hospitals—making up 59% of the profession—earned a median of $97,260.
In addition to a strong earning potential, positions for the profession are projected to increase by 5% between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS—an average of 189,100 job openings each year. In comparison, LPN jobs are projected to increase by 3% in the same time period, with around 54,400 annual job openings.
What’s driving demand for RNs? An aging population and a growing number of chronic conditions are fueling increased need for healthcare services. RNs are projected to experience job growth in hospital, outpatient care, home healthcare, and residential care settings.
Advance Your Nursing Career at Wilson College Online
Becoming an RN can help LPNs build on their clinical skills and advance their nursing careers. Wilson College Online’s LPN to BSN program gives nursing students credit for their prior education and allows them to keep working while they earn a degree.
The flexible BSN program emphasizes evidence-based practice, holistic patient care, and nursing leadership. Learners also gain hands-on clinical experience. Find out how Wilson can help you become an RN.
Recommended Readings
5 Benefits of a BSN: What Nurses Should Know
How to Balance Nursing School and Work
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data
American Nurses Association, Why Is Nursing a Good Career Choice?
Bureau of Health Workforce Analysis, Nurse Workforce Projections, 2022-2037
Indeed, “20 Top Nursing Specialties (With Career Descriptions and Salaries)”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses