The Texas Action Coalition, part of the Center to Champion Nursing in America, reports that 50 percent of Texas’s 190,090 RNs hold an associate’s degree as their highest educational level at a time when today’s complex medical environment requires more nurses to hold BSN degrees or higher.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that there are 39 accredited schools of nursing in Texas. In 2013, 18,460 students were enrolled in baccalaureate programs, 5,304 in master’s programs and 893 at the doctoral level. This number is expected to increase dramatically with the help of the Texas Action Coalition’s development of a multi-focused statewide model to promote RN-BSN and LPN-BSN programs that implement a concept-based curriculum.
Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs in Texas
According to the US Department of Labor, BSN-educated RN’s represent those earning in the 75th and 90th percentiles. In Texas, BSN educated RNs representing the top 25% in their field earned the following in 2013.
- 75th Percentile Annual Salary – $78,970
- 90th Percentile Annual Salary – $91,360
- 75th Percentile Hourly Wage – $37.97
- 90th Percentile Hourly Wage – $43.93
The Advance Healthcare Network for Nurses published the results of its annual salary survey, which breaks down salaries throughout the Southern Region of the United States by educational level. The findings revealed that BSN-educated RNs in Texas can expect to earn more on average than their counterparts throughout the Southern Region.
- Diploma – $53,860
- Associates Degree – $58,562
- Baccalaureate Degree – $61,956
- Master’s Degree – $77,370
The Texas Workforce Commission shows the difference between the average RN salary in Texas as it compares to RNs with more experience and a higher-level of education.
- Mean Annual Salary – $67,855
- Experienced Annual Salary – $76,654
Annual Salaries for BSN-Educated RNs in Texas by Region
Salaries differ between cities and regions of Texas. The following annual salaries listed by the Texas Workforce Commission (2012) show the difference between average RN and experienced, BSN-educated RNs in various regions.
For comparison, the table below shows a full analysis of annual salaries for BSN-educated RNs in various metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas of Texas (US Department of Labor, 2013).