Nurse Salaries Houston RN Salary in Houston and Nurse Salaries Texas
Registered Nurses (RNs) are in demand nationwide: Numerous jobs are available and nursing salaries are strong nationwide.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the employment of RNs is projected to grow 15 percent through 2026. In addition to the growing need for RNs to meet healthcare needs in our communities, there’s also a national nursing shortage due to one million RNs reaching retirement age in the next 10 to 15 years.
The BLS reports that there were nearly 3 million licensed RNs in the United States in 2016, and another 438,100 are projected to join the workforce by 2026.
The BLS, along with PayScale.com, confirm that Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree will have better job prospects—and nursing salaries—than those without a bachelor’s degree. Employers also are increasingly requiring RNs to have BSN degrees: In 2011, only 30 percent of employers required a BSN, compared to 45 percent in 2014 and 79 percent strongly preferring a BSN today. The Health and Medicine Division projects that the number of nurses with a BSN will increase to 80 percent by 2020.
With such high demand in the workplace, RNs can take advantage of many excellent career opportunities—and strong nursing salaries.
What is the Registered Nurse Salary Average?
The median annual wage for registered nurses with a BSN was $71,730, as of May 2016, according to the BLS. For RNs with an associate nursing degree, median nursing salaries were reported at $57,088.
The following are some median nursing salaries for RNs with a BSN who work in specialized areas:
- Family nurse practitioner (NP): $93,864
- Nurse case manager: $70,460
- Clinical nurse manager: $83,652
- Nursing director: $90,393
In May 2018, the BLS reported the following median nursing salaries for RNs with a BSN who worked in these settings:
| Government | $78,390 |
| Hospitals: state, local, private | $73,650 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $68,320 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $63,990 |
| Educational services: state, local, private | $61,850 |
The best paying states for BSN-trained nurses are California, with average nursing salaries of $125,430, followed by Hawaii ($117,370) and Massachusetts ($109,560).
The state of Texas ranks second among the top five states with the highest employment of nurses, and Houston nursing salaries are some of the highest among Texas nurse salaries, reports the BLS:
- California
Average RN Salary: $106,950
Average Hourly: $51.42
Number of RNs: 294,510
- Texas
Average RN Salary: $72,890
Average Hourly: $35.04
Number of RNs: 210,350
- New York
Average RN Salary: $85,610
Average Hourly: $41.16
Number of RNs: 182,490
- Florida
Average RN Salary: $66,210
Average Hourly: $31.83
Number of RNs: 177,600
- Pennsylvania
Average RN Salary: $70,390
Average Hourly: $33.84
Number of RNs in California: 148,520
What Are the Highest-Paying Nurse Salaries?
Here is a sample of the highest-paying careers—and nursing salaries—for RNs with BSN degrees, according to NurseJournal.com and PayScale.com:
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: Prescribes and administers anesthesia to patients during medical procedures. CRNAs represent half of the anesthesia providers in the United States.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $143,739
Nurse Practitioner: Diagnoses illnesses and diseases, creates treatment plans based on the needs of patients, and interprets diagnostic lab tests.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $107,480
Certified Nurse Midwife: Provides care for women through pregnancy, postpartum issues, birth control and family planning.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $111,130
Mental Health or Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Prescribes medications and assesses and diagnoses patients, focusing on those who suffer from mental health issues like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $101,602
Orthopedic Nurse: Helps patients who are suffering from fractured bones, arthritis, osteoporosis, joint injuries or other musculoskeletal issues.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree or an associate nursing degree
Median Annual Salary: $101,034
Geriatric Nurse: Works with aging and elderly adults to provide specialized care.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $94,000
Clinical Nurse Specialist: Provides patients with expert advice on treatment options and serves as consultant to help colleagues make informed decisions on medical treatments.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree; a graduate level nursing degree is preferred
Median Annual Salary: $87,184
Nurse Researcher: Works to improve the field of nursing by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting results to improve medical processes and practices.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $81,500
Neonatal Nurse: Specializes in caring for newborn and premature infants during their first few weeks or months. They also conduct research, consult with other medical professionals, or educate patients and the general public on issues related to infancy.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree preferred
Median Annual Salary: $61,168
Pediatric Nurse: Works with children, including infants, elementary-aged kids, adolescents and teenagers, and helps with child growth and development.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree preferred
Median Annual Salary: $58,914
Your Next Steps to a BSN Salary: Houston Nursing Degree
If you’re ready to apply to the BSN program at Houston Christian University, start your application process here.
If you still have questions and want more information, please contact us today. We’re ready to help you take your next steps to earning your BSN degree at HBU.
Undergraduate Admissions:
(281) 649-3211 or 1 (800) 969-3210
admissions@HBU.edu