Average Salary for Online Nursing Degree Holders

Nursing is one of fastest growing occupations in the United States, and according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a growth rate of more than 25 percent is expected over the next five years.

Career Outlook

The growing demand for qualified nurses is due in part to the rapid expansion and advancements taking place in today’s modern health care industry. If you are presently working as a registered nurse (RN), you can advance your nursing career by pursuing higher educational studies such as earning an online Masters Degree in nursing where you venture into areas of orthopedics or pediatrics. In addition, the higher the levels of your education and training, the better your prospects are for attracting rewarding salary packages.

Types of Online Nursing Degrees

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) – An online bachelor’s degree in nursing is the standard educational requirements in the field of nursing. By successfully earning online bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can establish a career in the field of geriatrics, emergency room care, home health care, critical care, oncology or obstetrics. The average salary for individuals with an online bachelor’s degree in nursing is in the range of around $35,000 to $60,000 per year.

Online Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN) – If you want to build a rewarding career in this highly competitive health care industry, pursuing an online master’s degree in nursing is the recommended pathway to fulfilling your professional aspirations. The program builds on the training acquired from the four-year nursing program through courses in areas such as healthcare management, nursing technology, research applications and illness management. Successful completion of a master’s in nursing not only expands your employment opportunities, but also significantly increases your average earning potential. Holders of a master’s degree in nursing assume leadership positions in allied health fields such as healthcare systems administration, education, consulting and research.

Top Universities Offering Online Nursing Degrees

There are many online institutions that offer nursing training programs ranging from certificate to undergraduate and graduate programs. The primary benefit to earning your online degree in nursing is that you can study at locations convenient to you, schedule classes to fit your busy schedule as well as study at your own pace without having to disrupt your present day job. Some of these top online schools for earning your nursing degree are:

• Kaplan University
• Indiana State University
• Liberty University
• South University

Average Salary for Online Nursing Degree Holders

Listed are some specific job titles held by nursing majors and their associated salaries. The average salaries for these healthcare professionals will vary widely depending on their level of training, education, location, the health care setting in which they work as well as experience, as the average salary for online nursing degree holders is set on the basis of work experience. Individuals with three or four years experience in the field of nursing earn lot more in comparison to those with no prior in-house work experience. Some of these job titles include:

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): – around $30,000 to $45,000 annually (United States)
• Staff Nurse: – around $60,000 to $70,000 per year (United States)
• Head Nurse: – around $80,000 to $90,000 annually (United States)
• Nursing Education Director: – of around $85,000 to $95,000 per year (United States)