Betty Jo Rocchio, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy, a multistate health system based in St. Louis, Missouri, has been a nurse for over 32 years. By five a.m., she’s up and prepping for her weekly flight from Columbus to St. Louis, where she’ll spend the week working and making rounds.

Working in a leadership role gives Rocchio the opportunity to create a culture where nurses and patients can thrive, according to a Johnson & Johnson profile. “What nurses care about most is coming into work, providing great patient care and being able to leave with enough energy for themselves and their families.”

If you’re interested in a rewarding and lucrative career, consider a degree in nursing. Pay ranges can differ depending on your location, work environment and chosen pathway within nursing:

Location matters. Curious about your potential earnings as a nurse? Here’s a general look at salaries throughout the United States, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides patients with essential day-to-day care, such as checking vital signs, changing bandages and recording patient concerns. They work under the supervision of a physician in a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital, and may assist with at-home visits. LPNs also maintain medical records, coordinate between the entire medical care team and ensure that patients and families understand proper care outside of a hospital or clinic.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for an LPN in 2022 was $54,620. Here’s a list of the top-paying states for licensed practical nurses in 2022:

LPN Salary Washington: $69,950
LPN Salary California: $69,930
LPN Salary Massachusetts: $68,170
LPN Salary Rhode Island: $66,770
LPN Salary Alaska: $66,710

As with other nursing disciplines, the salary for LPNs varies by geography, according to 2022 BLS data. Interested to see where your state falls? See the state-by-state breakdown below.

A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed medical professional that provides patient care in a range of settings, including major hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and schools. They diagnose and treat conditions that fall under their specific focus, such as oncology, pediatrics or geriatrics. Earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing online can prepare you for this career path.

In 2022, the average annual salary for registered nurses was $81,220, according to BLS data. The top five states for RN earnings are:

RN Salary California: $133,340
RN Salary Hawaii: $113,220
RN Salary Oregon: $ 106,610
RN Salary Massachusetts: $104,150
RN Salary Alaska: $103,310

Becoming an advanced practice nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), requires furthering your education, specializing in a specific area and obtaining additional certifications and credentials. This might involve earning a master of nursing degree online.

According to the BLS, there are three types of advanced practice nurses:

Certified nurse practitioner: Cares for patients of all ages, diagnoses and treats illnesses and promotes better health outcomes. They may specialize in acute care, psychiatric mental health, women’s health, or family health.

Certified nurse-midwife: Cares for pregnant women and their families. They assist with prenatal care, labor and delivery, helping new mothers adjust to life with a newborn.

Certified nurse anesthetist: Administers anesthesia before and after surgery, monitors patients’ vital signs and provides pain management.

Interested in annual APRN compensation? Check out the below chart for certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and certified nurse anesthetists in the U.S. based on 2022 BLS data.

Disclosure: “Not available” (N/A) indicates that the BLS has not provided data. All data was accessed in 2023.

Last updated: October 2023