<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="18" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> USC`s Online Master of Science in Nursing Program </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your MSN Online From USC in Just 21 Months </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Become a family nurse practitioner online in as few as 21 months with top-ranked USC's CCNE and BRN-Accredited online Master of Science in Nursing program.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-18" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-18" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://nursing.usc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/USC-MSN_Formal-Vertical_Ver_S.Dworak-Peck-School-of-SW_CardOnTrans.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://nursing.usc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="19" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Online MS in Nursing From Georgetown University </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your Master’s in Nursing Online From Georgetown University </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. </p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-19" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-19" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Georgetown_S_SNHS_grayCMYK.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="20" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> Advance Your Career With Nursing@Simmons </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your MSN and Become an FNP or PMHNP Online From Simmons University </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care. Explore Nursing@Simmons programs for RNs who hold a BSN or bachelor’s degree.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-20" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-20" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msn-fwp/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SC-MSN_University_Nursing_Color_Stacked.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/msn-fwp/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Nursing

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Meghan Malas

<p>The U.S. is in dire need of more nurses and other health care workers—and there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, according to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/">estimates by the American Nurses Association</a>. Beyond the immediate need for more nurses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing career paths for the next decade. And while nurses of all levels of training are in demand, there is a particular need for professionals with <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">master’s degree-level training</a> or higher. </p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>“Master’s degree-prepared nurses have the potential to earn higher salaries than their bachelor’s degree-prepared counterparts, particularly when they are educated as advanced practice registered nurses such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists,” says Cindy Anderson, the senior associate dean for academic affairs and educational innovation at <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/the-ohio-state-university/">the Ohio State University’s College of Nursing</a>. </p>



<p>The median annual wage for registered nurses (RNs) was $77,600 in May 2021, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>.<strong> </strong>Meanwhile, the median wage for nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and nurse practitioners—careers that require a master’s degree—<a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm">was $123,780 per year</a>. That’s a pay hike of more than $46,000 a year by getting an advanced degree.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-higher-demand-makes-for-higher-salaries">Higher demand makes for higher salaries</h2>



<p>The stark difference in wages is reflected in the field’s job growth trends. The job outlook for registered nurses is projected to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm">grow 9%</a> from 2020 to 2030, just a fraction of the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm">52% growth rate</a> for nurse practitioners, according to figures from the BLS. </p>



<p>While the role of nurse practitioner is expected to be the fourth-fastest-growing career in the U.S., other <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/08/04/is-a-masters-degree-in-nursing-msn-worth-it/">popular career paths</a> for graduates of master’s degree programs—such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists—are forecasted to see <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm">gains of 45%</a> by 2030. </p>



<p>The demand for nursing professionals is due to the need for more health care services as the U.S. population ages and the aging of the nurse workforce itself. In order to add enough nurses into the workforce, nurse educators, who must hold a master’s degree or higher, are essential, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/">studies show</a>. In 2019, nursing schools turned away more than 80,000 qualified applicants to baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints, according a <a href="https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage">report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-a-high-paying-nursing-position">How to get a high-paying nursing position</h2>



<p>To be admitted into most accredited master’s degree programs in nursing, applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. There are master’s degree tracks for people who don’t already have an undergraduate degree, but they typically require more credits and take more time to complete. A master of science in nursing (MSN) program typically takes two to three years of study, according to <a href="https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing/">Nurse Journal</a>, and average program costs are $590 per credit, <a href="https://www.geteducated.com/online-college-ratings-and-rankings/best-rn-to-msn-online/">GetEducated.com</a> found.</p>



<p>People seeking the aforementioned occupations of nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist are required to have a current RN license and a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These programs may also require a year or more of applicable work experience to be admitted. </p>



<p>As the demand for nurses with graduate degrees rises, there are more career options for MSN students. Occupations like nurse consultant, nurse administrator, or clinical nurse specialist all require an MSN—and, on average, these roles pay more than RNs with just a bachelor’s degree in nursing earn. The <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/08/04/theyre-making-big-money-how-to-earn-139000-as-a-nurse/">average wage</a> for a nurse educator at a college, university, or professional school was $83,340, but at a general medical and surgical hospital, the average wage was $95,720, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251072.htm">latest BLS figures from 2021</a>.</p>



<p>Financial considerations, career development, and growth potential are all typical major drivers for someone to consider educational advancement toward a master’s degree, Anderson says. So, while a master’s degree in nursing doesn’t guarantee a better salary, diversifying your skills can be a valuable tool in helping open doors to personal and professional growth. </p>



<p><em><em><em>See how the schools you’re considering fared in </em></em></em>Fortune’<em><em><em>s rankings of the best master’s degree programs in <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">nursing</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-computer-science/"><em>computer science</em></a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/information-technology/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-cybersecurity/">cybersecurity</a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/"><em>psychology</em></a>,<a href="https://fortune.com/education/public-health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/"><em> public health</em></a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business-analytics/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-business-analytics/"><em>business analytics</em></a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/data-science/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-data-science/"><em>data science</em></a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/leadership/doctorate/rankings/best-online-doctor-education-programs/">doctorate in education</a>, and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-parttime-mba-programs-in-2022/"><em>part-time</em></a>, <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-executive-mba-programs-in-2021/"><em>executive</em></a>,<a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-mba-programs/"><em> full-time</em></a>, and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-online-mba-programs/"><em>online</em></a> MBA programs.</em></em></em></p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>If you want to find great resources to become a health coach, check out the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-health-coach-certifications/">best health coach certifications</a>.</li>
<li>Interested in a psychology degree? Here are some of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/">best online masters in psychology programs</a> you can find.</li>
<li>Want a more flexible way to earn an online master’s degree in nursing? Explore our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/%22">best online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>Choose one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/">best online masters in public health programs</a> to help you find the right school for you.</li>
<li>Our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">best online masters in nursing programs</a> can be a useful tool in your search for advanced online learning.</li>
<li>Many universities offer <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/most-affordable-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/">affordable online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>For those looking to learn the basics of nutrition, one of the programs in our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-nutritionist-certifications/">best nutritionist certifications</a> is a great first step.</li>
<li>Fulfill your ambitions of being a personal trainer with one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-personal-trainer-certifications/">best personal trainer certification</a> programs. </li>
</div></div>
</div>

<p>The U.S. is in dire need of more nurses and other health care workers—and there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, according to estimates by the American Nurses Association. Beyond the immediate need for more nurses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing is expected to remain one of […]</p>


What the demand for nurses with master's degrees means for their salaries

Attendees at a hospital recruiting event in California

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Health and Wellness

The U.S. is in dire need of more nurses and other health care workers—and there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, according to estimates by the American Nurses Association. Beyond the immediate need for more nurses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing is expected to remain one of [&hellip;]

What the demand for nurses with master’s degrees means for their salaries

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Business

Career Hub

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

WHAT THE DEMAND FOR NURSES WITH MASTER'S DEGREES MEANS FOR THEIR SALARIES

What the demand for nurses with master's degrees means for their salaries | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Preston Fore

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Northwestern, Columbia, and UPenn have the best EMBA programs in the country. Here's why

https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-exec-mba-programs-news/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

What the demand for nurses with master’s degrees means for their salaries

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

Northwestern, Columbia, and UPenn have the best EMBA programs in the country. Here's why

Advance Your Career With Nursing@Simmons