Nursing Salaries
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 6 percent from 2022 to 2032. 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 over 3 million licensed RNs in the United States in 2023, and about 193,100 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade, faster than the average for all occupations.
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 2014, only 45 percent required a BSN degree, compared to 79 percent strongly preferring a BSN today. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which conducts the National Nursing Workforce Survey, over 71.7% of RNs had a BSN or a higher degree in 2023, and this number is expected to increase to 80%.
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 $81,220, as of May 2022, according to the BLS. For RNs with an associate nursing degree, median nursing salaries were reported at $77,001.
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 2022, the BLS reported the following median nursing salaries for RNs with a BSN who worked in these settings:
| Government | $92,310 |
| Hospitals: state, local, private | $82,250 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | $78,670 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $75,410 |
| Educational services: state, local, private | $65,450 |
The best paying states for BSN-trained nurses are California, with average nursing salaries of $137,690, followed by Hawaii ($119,710) and Oregon ($113,440).
Top States for Nursing Employment
The state of Texas ranks second among the top 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: $137,690
Average Hourly: $66.20
Number of RNs: 332,560
- Texas
Average RN Salary: $90,210
Average Hourly: $43.37
Number of RNs: 251,840
- Florida
Average RN Salary: $84,760
Average Hourly: $40.75
Number of RNs: 207,910
- New York
Average RN Salary: $106,620
Average Hourly: $51.26
Number of RNs: 188,060
- Pennsylvania
Average RN Salary: $87,530
Average Hourly: $42.08
Number of RNs in California: 144,100
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: $181,157
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: $126,260
Certified Nurse Midwife: Provides care for women through pregnancy, postpartum issues, birth control and family planning.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $129,650
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: $119,772
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: $100,035
Geriatric Nurse: Works with aging and elderly adults to provide specialized care.
Requirements: RN with BSN degree
Median Annual Salary: $109,712
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: $100,392
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: $78,182
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: $67,332
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 HCU.
Undergraduate Admissions:
(281) 649-3211 or 1 (800) 969-3210
admissions@hc.edu