Complete Guide to Advancing Your Nursing Career in Maryland
Boost Your Salary from $67,263 to $85,000+ | Break-Even in 6–8 Months
Maryland offers exceptional opportunities for LPNs transitioning to RN: High salaries (Baltimore Metro $88k–$102k), proximity to federal agencies and research hospitals, no eNLC reciprocity (Maryland-only license), and affordable ADN programs ($8,000–$20,000).
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| Position | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Entry-Level | Experienced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN | $67,263 | $32.34 | $56,000 | $75,000 |
| RN (ADN) | $85,000 | $40.87 | $73,000 | $98,000 |
| RN (BSN) | $92,000 | $44.23 | $79,000 | $110,000 |
| Maryland Region | LPN Salary Range | RN Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Metro | $64,000 – $73,000 | $88,000 – $102,000 |
| Montgomery County / Bethesda | $68,000 – $78,000 | $92,000 – $110,000 |
| Annapolis / Anne Arundel County | $63,000 – $72,000 | $86,000 – $98,000 |
| Frederick | $62,000 – $70,000 | $84,000 – $95,000 |
| Hagerstown | $60,000 – $68,000 | $80,000 – $90,000 |
| Salisbury / Eastern Shore | $58,000 – $66,000 | $78,000 – $88,000 |
| Southern Maryland (St. Mary's, Calvert) | $61,000 – $69,000 | $82,000 – $92,000 |
| Cumberland / Western Maryland | $57,000 – $65,000 | $76,000 – $85,000 |
Maryland Specialty RN Salaries (with experience):
All programs listed are approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN or CCNE. Programs typically take 12–18 months (ADN) or 2–3 years (BSN online part-time).
Location: Cumberland, MD (Online format)
Program Type: ADN Bridge | Duration: 3 semesters (~18 months)
Tuition: ~$10,500 (in-county); ~$16,500 (out-of-county)
Highlights: Fully online didactic coursework; selective admission (points-based); ACEN-accredited; strong NCLEX pass rate; flexible for working LPNs.
Location: Baltimore County (multiple campuses)
Program Type: ADN Transition | Duration: ~12–15 months after transition course
Tuition: ~$12,000 (county residents)
Highlights: Transition course bridges LPN to ADN program; established nursing program; strong clinical partnerships (Johns Hopkins, MedStar, etc.).
Website: ccbcmd.edu (LPN-to-RN Transition)
Location: Largo, MD
Program Type: ADN Bridge (AS degree) | Duration: 12–18 months
Tuition: ~$11,500 (in-county)
Highlights: Close to Washington DC; flexible scheduling; approved by Maryland Board of Nursing; affordable tuition for Prince George's County residents.
Website: pgcc.edu (LPN-to-RN Transition)
Location: La Plata, MD (3 campuses)
Program Type: ADN Bridge | Duration: 2 years (part-time option available)
Tuition: ~$10,000 – $13,000
Highlights: Southern Maryland's premier nursing program; flexible scheduling for working LPNs; clinical sites include MedStar St. Mary's Hospital.
Website: csmd.edu/nursing
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Program Type: ADN Bridge | Duration: 15 months
Tuition: ~$9,500 (county residents)
Highlights: Accelerated 15-month track; Western Maryland location; approved by Maryland Board of Nursing; strong clinical partnerships.
Website: hagerstowncc.edu (LPN-RN Transition)
Location: Columbia, MD
Program Type: ADN LPN Pathway | Duration: 18 months
Tuition: ~$13,000 (county residents)
Highlights: Application window: February 15 each year; $25 application fee; Howard County location (near Baltimore & DC); excellent NCLEX pass rates.
Website: howardcc.edu (LPN Pathway)
Location: Takoma Park & Germantown, MD
Program Type: ADN Transition Course (NURS 130) | Duration: 7-credit transition + ADN program
Tuition: ~$14,000 (county residents)
Highlights: Serves LPNs, military medics/corpsmen; Montgomery County (DC Metro area); transition course eases entry into ADN program; strong clinical partnerships.
Contact programs directly for application deadlines, prerequisites, and scholarship opportunities. Most Maryland programs have Fall and Spring admission cycles with rolling applications.
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Many Maryland healthcare employers offer tuition reimbursement for LPNs advancing to RN:
| Employer | RN Salary Range (Annual) | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins Hospital & Health System | $88,000 – $115,000 | Tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness, 403(b) match, excellent health insurance |
| University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) | $84,000 – $108,000 | Tuition assistance, pension, comprehensive benefits, loan repayment |
| MedStar Health (10 hospitals in MD) | $82,000 – $105,000 | Tuition reimbursement, 401(k) match, flexible scheduling |
| Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic | $86,000 – $110,000 | Tuition assistance ($5k/year), excellent benefits, pension |
| Luminis Health (Anne Arundel Medical Center) | $80,000 – $100,000 | Tuition reimbursement, sign-on bonuses, 401(k) match |
| Suburban Hospital (Johns Hopkins Medicine) | $85,000 – $108,000 | Johns Hopkins benefits package, tuition assistance, loan forgiveness |
| Holy Cross Hospital (Trinity Health) | $82,000 – $102,000 | Tuition reimbursement, comprehensive benefits, 403(b) match |
| Sinai Hospital (LifeBridge Health) | $81,000 – $100,000 | Tuition assistance, 401(k), flexible scheduling |
| Frederick Health Hospital | $78,000 – $95,000 | Tuition reimbursement, sign-on bonuses, competitive benefits |
| INOVA Health System (Northern Virginia, many MD RNs commute) | $86,000 – $110,000 | Tuition reimbursement, excellent benefits, career advancement |
Maryland is home to major federal healthcare agencies offering RN positions with excellent salaries and benefits:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (ADN Bridge Program) | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Books, Supplies, Uniforms | $800 – $1,500 |
| NCLEX-RN Application & Exam Fees | $300 |
| NCLEX-RN Prep Materials | $200 – $500 |
| Background Check, Drug Screening, Health Requirements | $200 – $400 |
| Transportation, Parking (clinical rotations) | $500 – $1,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $10,000 – $23,700 |
Average Total Investment: ~$15,000 (typical for Maryland community college ADN bridge programs)
| Metric | LPN | RN (ADN) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $67,263 | $85,000 | +$17,737 |
| Monthly Salary | $5,605 | $7,083 | +$1,478 |
| 10-Year Earnings | $672,630 | $850,000 | +$177,370 |
| 40-Year Career Earnings | $2,690,520 | $3,400,000 | +$710,800+ |
Note: 40-year figures account for inflation (~2.5%/year), annual raises (~2–3%), and potential salary growth with experience.
Total Investment: $15,000 (average)
Annual Income Increase: $17,737
Monthly Income Increase: $1,478
Break-Even Point: $15,000 ÷ $1,478/month = 10.1 months
✅ You'll recover your entire investment in about 10 months—or as little as 6–8 months if you receive scholarships, employer tuition assistance, or have lower program costs.
With an RN license (and later, a BSN or MSN), Maryland nurses can pursue:
With a 6–10 month break-even, $710,800+ lifetime earnings increase, and access to world-class healthcare institutions, advancing from LPN to RN in Maryland is one of the smartest career moves you can make.
The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is NOW.
Contact your top 2–3 Maryland programs this week, request information, and start working on prerequisites and TEAS prep. Your future as a Maryland RN—with higher pay, better benefits, and expanded career opportunities—awaits!
Maryland Board of Nursing: (410) 585-1900 | health.maryland.gov/mbon
Last Updated: January 17, 2026 | Sources: Maryland Board of Nursing, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Maryland Hospital Association, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, NCSBN
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