5 levels of nurses and their salary differences

Understanding your nursing career progression and salary potential is crucial in today's rapidly growing health care field. With the health care industry projected to add about 1.9 million openings each year on average, there are abundant opportunities for advancement.¹ Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your scope of practice, knowing the different tiers of the profession can help you map out your future. This post will cover the different nursing credentials, their responsibilities, and how nurse education impacts earnings.

Key Takeaways

• Nursing generally falls into five primary levels based on education, licensure, and clinical scope
• Higher levels of nursing require more advanced degrees and offer greater clinical autonomy
• Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) opens doors to leadership roles, specialized care, and Magnet hospital environments
• Salary potential increases significantly as nurses advance their education and take on more complex patient care responsibilities
  

How many levels of nursing are there?

While there are countless specialties within the profession, nursing generally falls into five primary credential levels based on education and licensure. These levels include Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Registered Nurses (RNs) with an associate degree or diploma, BSN-prepared RNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).

Each level requires a specific educational pathway and passing a corresponding licensure or certification exam. Higher levels require more advanced degrees, such as a BSN or a master's degree, and offer greater clinical autonomy. For example, while CNAs and LPNs focus on foundational patient care, RNs coordinate comprehensive care plans, and APRNs can often provide primary and specialty health care services independently.1

What Are the Levels of Nursing in Order?

The standard career progression moves from entry-level bedside support to advanced practice roles. The specific educational requirements and daily responsibilities for each tier are:

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Requires a brief state-approved training program and competency exam. CNAs provide basic care and assist patients with activities of daily living³
  
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Requires a state-approved educational program, typically taking about a year, and passing the NCLEX-PN exam. LPNs provide basic medical care under the supervision of RNs or physicians⁴
  
• Registered Nurse (ADN/Diploma): Requires an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. RNs assess patient health, administer medications, and coordinate care⁵
  
• BSN-Prepared Registered Nurse: Requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. These nurses perform all RN duties but have additional training in leadership, public health, and research, making them eligible for management roles
  
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN): Requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and national certification. APRNs, such as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and manage patient care plans⁶

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

CNAs and LPNs form the foundational levels of the nursing workforce. A CNA, or nursing assistant, is an entry-level role focused on basic patient care. Their daily responsibilities include helping patients eat, bathe, dress, and move, in addition to checking vital signs.² This role is essential for maintaining patient comfort and safety in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

An LPN (or LVN in some states) takes on more clinical responsibility. After completing a certificate or diploma program and earning licensure, LPNs provide basic medical care. Their duties often include changing bandages, inserting catheters, monitoring patient health, and reporting patient status to RNs and doctors.³

Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Registered nurses and APRNs hold advanced clinical responsibilities and coordinate complex patient care. To become an RN, individuals must earn either an ADN or a BSN and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. RNs provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and provide emotional support to patients and their families.⁴

APRNs represent the highest clinical levels of nursing. Entering this tier requires graduate-level nurse education, typically an MSN or a DNP. APRN roles include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. These professionals have a much broader scope of practice, allowing them to provide primary and specialty health care, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications.⁵

What are the 5 levels of nurses and their average salaries?

Salary potential in nursing is closely tied to education, experience, and the level of clinical responsibility. Here is a breakdown of the earning potential for the five distinct nursing levels:

CNA: The average annual pay for a nursing assistant is approximately $41,734, or about $20.06 per hour⁶

LPN: Licensed practical nurses earn an average annual salary of $62,140, or roughly $29.88 per hour⁷

RN (ADN/Diploma): Registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $93,600, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics⁴

BSN-Prepared RN: While standard RN salary data encompasses both ADN and BSN nurses, holding a BSN significantly impacts an RN's overall earning potential by opening pathways to leadership and specialized roles that typically offer higher compensation

APRN: Advanced practice roles offer the highest salaries, with nurse practitioners earning an average annual pay of $130,295⁸

Factors such as years of experience, geographic location, and the specific health care facility can also heavily influence a nurse's earning potential across all levels.

What are the levels of being a nurse you can reach with a BSN?

Earning a BSN is a critical step in nursing career progression. For practicing RNs with an associate degree, the RN-BSN route is a practical educational pathway to advance their careers. Employers show a strong preference for BSN program graduates, with an employment rate of 93% within four to six months after graduation.⁹

The health care industry demand for BSN-educated nurses is particularly high in leadership positions, specialized care units, and Magnet-designated hospitals. In fact, the American Nurses Credentialing Center requires that nurse leaders in Magnet hospitals hold a bachelor's degree in nursing or higher.¹¹ Furthermore, a BSN serves as the necessary foundation for nurses who eventually want to pursue graduate degrees to become APRNs or nurse educators.

Elevate your nursing career with an online RN-BSN from Oklahoma City University

Understanding the different levels of nursing highlights the profound impact that education has on your career trajectory and salary potential. Progressing from an associate-level RN to a BSN-prepared nurse not only increases your clinical knowledge but also unlocks opportunities for leadership roles, specialized care, and higher earning potential in a competitive market.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career, Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a flexible, online RN-BSN program through the Kramer School of Nursing. Designed for working nurses, the program features an asynchronous format with no set login times, allowing you to balance your education with your professional and personal life. You can complete the program in as few as 12 months full-time and prepare yourself for advanced roles that will benefit your life and career in the long term.

Don't wait to start moving up in the health care field. Reach out to an admission outreach advisor today to learn more about our curriculum and admissions process.