Are you looking for a profession that pays an outstanding salary in Pennsylvania? Does helping sick or injured persons appeal to you? If you answered “yes” to both the questions, you may be an excellent candidate for a career as a registered nurse (RN). The best thing about choosing to become an RN in Pennsylvania, like in all other states, is that an associate degree in nursing, or ADN, can provide you with all the training you need in only two years!
- 4.7% RN Job Growth
- $87,530 Yearly Salary
- 144,100 RNs Employed
Source: Projections Central, BLS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for RNs in Pennsylvania is $87,530 per year. This is obviously a great reason to become an RN in Pennsylvania. There are also many benefits you can enjoy if you complete an ADN program in Pennsylvania. For example, many RNs enjoy such great perks as sign-on bonuses, health and dental insurance, retirement packages, and paid vacations. Moreover, RNs can choose among a large variety of employers in need of trained nursing professionals.
Of course, in addition to acquiring the necessary training for a career as an RN, you will also need to obtain a nursing license to work as an RN in Pennsylvania. You can do this by applying for and passing the national nursing exam for RNs, the NCLEX-RN.
Related: Typical Course Outline of an ADN Program
The Best ADN Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a terrific place to obtain your ADN because of the presence of numerous schools offering ADN programs here. Some of the highly reputable schools that offer accredited ADN programs in Pennsylvania include:
Bucks County Community College
275 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 968-8000Butler County Community College
107 College Dr, Butler, PA 16002 (724) 287-8711Clarion University of Pennsylvania
840 Wood St, Clarion, PA 16214 (814) 393-2000Clarion University of Pennsylvania
1801 W 1st St, Oil City, PA 16301 (814) 676-6591Community College of Allegheny County
800 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (412) 323-2323Community College of Allegheny County
595 Beatty Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146 (724) 327-1327Community College of Beaver County
1 Campus Dr, Monaca, PA 15061 (724) 480-2222Community College of Philadelphia
1700 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 (215) 751-8000Delaware County Community College
901 Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063 (610) 359-5000Gwynedd Mercy University
1325 Sumneytown Pike, Lower Gwynedd Twp, PA 19002 (215) 646-7300Harcum College
750 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (610) 525-4100Harrisburg Area Community College
1 HACC Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 780-2300Harrisburg Area Community College
2010 Pennsylvania Ave, York, PA 17404 (717) 718-0328La Roche College
9000 Babcock Blvd, Allison Park, PA 15101 (412) 367-9300Lehigh Carbon Community College
4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, PA 18078 (610) 799-2121Lock Haven University
401 N Fairview St, Lock Haven, PA 17745 (570) 484-2011Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
201 University Dr, Clearfield, PA 16830 (814) 768-3405Luzerne County Community College
1333 S Prospect St, Nanticoke, PA 18634 (570) 740-0200Luzerne County Community College at Kulpmont Nursing Center
1100 Spruce St, Kulpmont, PA 17834 (800) 377-5222Mercyhurst University
501 E 38th St, Erie, PA 16504 (814) 824-2000Montgomery County Community College
340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422 (215) 641-6300Mount Aloysius College
7373 Admiral Peary Hwy, Cresson, PA 16630 (814) 886-4131Northampton County Area Community College
3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020 (610) 861-5300Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
850 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 544-4912Pennsylvania College of Technology
1 College Ave, Williamsport, PA 17701 (570) 326-3761Pennsylvania State University
Pollock Rd, University Park, PA 16802 (814) 865-4700Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Altoona
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601 (814) 949-5000Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Behrend
4701 College Dr, Erie, PA 16510 (814) 898-6000Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Fayette
2201 University Dr, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456 (724) 430-4100Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Mont Alto
1 Campus Dr, Mont Alto, PA 17237 (717) 749-6000Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Scranton
120 Ridgeview Dr, Dunmore, PA 18512 (570) 963-2500Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071 (412) 809-5100Reading Area Community College
10 S 2nd St, Reading, PA 19602 (610) 372-4721Thomas Jefferson University
1020 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 955-6000University of Pittsburgh
300 Campus Dr, Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-7500University of Pittsburgh
504 E Main St, Titusville, PA 16354 (814) 827-4400Westmoreland County Community College
145 Pavilion Ln, Youngwood, PA 15697 (724) 925-4000
Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in Pennsylvania
RNs in Pennsylvania are in high demand, with a projected 4.7% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 144,100 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $87,530, or $42.08 per hour.
Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.
Explore salary trends for RNs in Pennsylvania's metro areas below:
| Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington-NJ-DE-MD | $45.60 | $94,850 |
| Reading | $43.79 | $91,090 |
| Lebanon | $43.02 | $89,480 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton-NJ | $42.63 | $88,660 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro | $42.04 | $87,440 |
| Williamsport | $41.59 | $86,520 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $41.58 | $86,480 |
| York-Hanover | $40.99 | $85,250 |
| Lancaster | $40.27 | $83,770 |
| East Stroudsburg | $39.63 | $82,440 |
| Pittsburgh | $39.53 | $82,220 |
| State College | $39.03 | $81,170 |
| Gettysburg | $38.65 | $80,390 |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton | $38.31 | $79,680 |
| Altoona | $38.05 | $79,140 |
| Erie | $38.01 | $79,070 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | $37.82 | $78,660 |
| Johnstown | $36.23 | $75,360 |
Source: BLS
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
For questions about nursing programs and licensure in Pennsylvania, please contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Address: 2601 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Phone: (717) 783-7142
- Fax: (717) 783-0822
- Website: dos.pa.gov
Conclusion
Becoming an RN in Pennsylvania is a wise choice currently. Not only do RNs earn substantial salaries, but they can also begin working with an ADN.
