New York State Nurses Association is a union of frontline nurses and healthcare professionals united for patients, practice, safe staffing and healthcare for all. They are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses.
By: All Nursing Schools Staff
Salaries for New York nurses with an ADN
Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) play a vital role in New York’s workforce, utilizing their expertise to keep patients healthy and on the road to recovery, and hospitals and clinics running smoothly. Their knowledge and skills are essential for communications between medical teams, patients and family members, and their work ensures that patients receive optimal care. This career offers a wide variety of opportunities, and it’s important to have a solid understanding of the salary landscape for nurses in New York with an ADN in order to make informed decisions about their futures.
Three great reasons to work as an RN with an ADN in New York are:
- High demand and job security: New York has one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., with constant demand for nurses due to its large, diverse population and aging demographic. Job stability is strong in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.
- Competitive salaries and union benefits: New York offers some of the highest RN salaries in the country, especially in urban areas like New York City. Many nursing jobs are unionized, providing better wages, health benefits and retirement plans.
- Diverse work environments and career growth: From world-renowned hospitals to rural clinics and public health roles, New York provides a wide range of job opportunities. Nurses can also pursue specializations in areas like pediatrics, mental health or critical care.
In this Article
Quick view | Salary statistics | Factors affecting salaries in NY | Earning an ADN | Cost of living considerations | Professional resources in NY
Snapshot of registered nurses with an ADN in NY
Pursuing an ADN is one of the fastest ways to launch your career as a registered nurse (RN) and reap the financial rewards that go with it.
There are roughly 188,060 people employed as RNs in New York says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This makes New York the fourth-highest employer of registered nurses in the country after California, Texas and Florida and amounts to approximately 20 people working as RNs in New York for every 1,000 people that live in the state. The median wage per hour is $51, considerably higher than the national average of $45 an hour. The forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 4.9%.
The following NY employers offer opportunities in clinical practice, research and public health, providing RNs with diverse career paths and access to some of the most advanced healthcare environments in the nation. Some of the largest employers for registered nurses in the state include:
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Multiple locations, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester County:
- Nurses work in specialized units such as emergency care, oncology, pediatrics, cardiology and surgical units. They play key roles in patient care, monitoring and assisting with advanced medical procedures.
- Mount Sinai Health System, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island:
- Nurses are involved in acute care, critical care and outpatient services. RNs support medical research, assist in advanced treatments and work in departments like oncology, maternity and psychiatric care.
- Northwell Health, Multiple locations across Long Island, Staten Island, Westchester and New York City:
- Northwell is known for its innovation in healthcare delivery. RNs support patient care in hospitals, ambulatory centers and home health services. Specializations include trauma care, pediatrics, cardiology and behavioral health.
- NYC Health + Hospitals (Public Hospital System), New York City’s five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island):
- RNs work in emergency departments, outpatient clinics and specialty units, supporting diverse patient populations. Nurses in this system provide care for underserved communities and are vital to public health initiatives.
- Albany Medical Center, Albany:
- Albany Medical Center is a teaching hospital and trauma center where RNs are integral to emergency care, ICU support and surgical services. Nurses also assist with medical research and train nursing students.
ADN RN salary stats for New York
The median annual salary for registered nurses with an ADN in New York ranks above the national median of $93,600. However, it’s important to note that salaries may vary based on factors such as experience, education, employer and location within the state, which may have a higher or lower cost of living.
Registered Nurses
10%$77,930
25%$89,360
50%$105,600Median
75%$125,810
90%$153,420
Median Hourly Wage$51
Job growth4.9%
Total Employment204,120
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $113,490 | $83,900 | $154,440 |
| Ithaca, NY | $103,290 | $75,230 | $118,400 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $101,710 | $65,390 | $119,970 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $100,950 | $72,610 | $120,510 |
| Binghamton, NY | $98,420 | $71,770 | $124,710 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $96,060 | $73,600 | $133,140 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,380 | $75,160 | $115,340 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,090 | $67,070 | $117,890 |
| Rochester, NY | $95,010 | $76,320 | $125,810 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $92,470 | $72,190 | $125,980 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary ranges for NY nurses with an ADN
The BLS reports that the salary range for RNs in New York typically spans from $77,930 to $153,420 per year. This salary range includes entry-level positions as well as senior-level roles, such as nurse educators and managers, and takes into account the various factors mentioned above.
Employment by NY metro area
The BLS follows employment by metropolitan areas and they note that large cities logically employ more nurses than smaller cities or towns. New York City, NY-Newark, NJ-Jersey City, PA, ranks number one in the U.S. as largest employer of RNs in the nation, followed by the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area.
NY salary growth and job outlook
As is true for most careers within the healthcare field, nursing is growing. The BLS predicts an overall 4.9% job growth for registered nurses in New York through 2034. Of course, where you live in New York can affect employment opportunities. As the most populous metro area in the state, and the country, the New York City metro area has the most jobs for RNs, with 184,360 in the area in 2023. Elsewhere throughout the state, nurses found the most work in Buffalo, Rochester and Albany.
Factors affecting ADN RN salaries in New York
Several factors can influence salaries in the nursing field in the state of NY. These factors may include:
- Type of care:
- Most hospitals look for nurses with a BSN, but many other healthcare settings offer opportunities for nurses with an ADN. Long-term care, medical-surgical nursing, rehabilitation, mental health nursing and home care nursing are areas that readily hire ADN-prepared nurses.
- Geographic location and cost of living:
- Salaries can vary significantly depending on the location within New York. Nurses in New York City will typically earn higher wages than those in other areas of the state to offset the high cost of living.
- Specializing:
- Earning a certification in a nursing specialty may increase your job opportunities and earning potential.
- Where you work:
- The specific industry you work in and the size of the healthcare facility can often influence salary ranges. For instance, large hospital healthcare systems can sometimes offer higher salaries than small physician offices.
- Unionization:
- The NYSNA is the largest union in New York, representing over 42,000 nurse members. Unions can advocate on nurses’ behalf for better pay, benefits and overtime privileges.
What salary you earn with an ADN may depend on factors such as job location, your employer type, your experience, whether you specialize and if you are a member of a union.
Resources for pay disparity in New York
There are federal laws that protect workers in regard to pay. Nurses in New York are protected by the state’s Equal Pay Provision, which protects workers with some of the strongest equal pay legislation in the country. If you believe you may be experiencing unfair pay or discrimination, you have state and federal resources to help. Some state resources include:
Federal resources include:
New York education requirements
New York has a unique requirement for RNs, often called the “BSN in 10” law, which requires nurses to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within 10 years of becoming licensed. Here’s a step-by-step guide focusing on the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) path and how it fits into this requirement.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This takes two to three years to complete. The ADN is a faster, cost-effective way to start working as an RN. You’ll be eligible for RN licensure after graduation.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a standardized test required for RN licensure in all 50 states, including New York.
- Apply for RN Licensure in New York by submitting an application to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions.
- Start working as an RN while planning for BSN completion.
- Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. New York’s “BSN in 10″ law requires RNs to obtain a BSN within 10 years of licensure. Without it, you risk losing your RN license. You can opt for a RN-to-BSN bridge program, which allows RNs to complete their BSN while working. Programs are available online or in hybrid formats. Schools Offering RN-to-BSN in NY include SUNY Empire State College, CUNY School of Professional Studies and Stony Brook University.
- Consider earning a professional certification to specialize. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers credentials in nine nursing specialties, including pediatrics. Many specialty nursing organizations offer certifications as well.
Should I earn a BSN or ABSN?
In New York, yes. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report written in 2010 recommended that by 2020, at least 80% of the nursing workforce should hold a BSN degree. While it did not explicitly set a deadline for “all nurses” to hold a BSN, this goal sparked changes in state policies and hiring practices. New York is the only state that requires all nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years of becoming a nurse.
Cost of living considerations in NY
Cost of living is an important factor when you’re evaluating nursing salaries across New York. Cost of living factors include expenses such as housing, transportation and healthcare. These expenses can vary across cities and regions within New York. It can be a good idea to compare salaries with local expenses. This can help you make decisions about job offers and housing.
For instance, New York City has a 78% higher cost of living than the rest of the country, and Manhattan, has the highest cost of living in the U.S. at 128% higher. The state of New York, however, has the 4th highest cost of living in the country, ranking below Hawaii, California and Massachusetts. But at 26% higher than other states, it is still expensive. Some metro and non-metro areas within New York State have much lower costs of living than New York City, especially in areas in Central and Upstate New York.
New York professional associations and networking
Professional associations can be a great way to network, build your career, learn new skills, earn credentials and more. In New York, nurses can look into:
Rochester Black Nurses Association serves as the voice for Black nurses and diverse populations by ensuring equal access to professional development, educational opportunities and improving health service.
Northeast New York Professional Nurses Organization’s purpose is to uphold nursing standards of practice, excellence in leadership, education and research, legislation and community health.
American Nurses Association–New York is a professional association for registered professional nurses in New York state that is dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing practice, improving the quality of health care services and promoting professional and leadership development of RNs.
This guide to salaries for RNs with an ADN in New York is designed to give you a thorough overview of what to expect pay-wise in this important healthcare field. Consider it your starting point for making smart career choices, negotiating your salary and setting achievable goals for your education and professional journey.