collageAdditionally, Texas is a right-to-work state, meaning while nurses can unionize in Texas, nurses at workspaces can also refuse to join the union or pay union dues. While this can reduce the union’s bargaining strength, some prefer having the option.
Top Nursing Programs in Texas
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M International University | Laredo, TX |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 3 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX |
| 4 | Texas State University | San Marcos, TX |
| 5 | Texas A&M University | College Station, TX |
| 6 | University of Houston | Houston, TX |
| 7 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX |
| 9 | The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX |
| 10 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon, TX |
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Nursing Program Requirements in Texas
NCLEX-RN PASS RATE: 90.8%STATE NURSING BOARD: TEXAS BOARD OF NURSING
The Texas Board of Nursing oversees licensing in Texas. Requirements for an RN license include graduating from an accredited nursing program, passing the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN), and completing the background check. Check below for more details.Collapse All Expand All
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Texas
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for an RN in Texas is $76,800. Between 2018 and 2028, job growth for nurses is projected to be 16.8%, more than twice the national growth of 7%. By 2030, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that Texas is expected to have a shortage of 15,900 nurses, 5.6% below its anticipated nurse needs. Consequently, graduates of the best nursing schools in Texas will be in high demand.
Texas’ overall cost of living index is 92, compared to 100 for the United States as a whole. Data from Salary.com indicates the cost of living in major cities in Texas, except for Austin, is lower than the national average. Texas does not have a state income tax.
| NURSING LEVEL | SALARY (MEAN ANNUAL) | PROJECTED JOB GROWTH (2018-2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Assistant | $29,050 | 11.6% |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | $48,380 | 10.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $76,800 | 16.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,700 | 31.9% |
Sources: BLS and Projections Central
Highest Paying Cities for Nurses in Texas
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for Registered Nurses
| TOP PAYING METROPOLITAN AREAS | AVERAGE SALARY FOR RNS |
|---|---|
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $84,960 |
| Killeen-Temple | $77,000 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $77,990 |
| Victoria | $75,730 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $75,110 |
Source: BLS
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse Practitioners
| TOP PAYING METROPOLITAN AREAS | AVERAGE SALARY FOR NPS |
|---|---|
| Laredo | $126,370 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $121,050 |
| Midland | $123,470 |
| Waco | $119,710 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $125,810 |
Source: BLS
Explore the Best BSN Programs in Texas and School Info
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- Texas A&M International UniversityLOCATIONLaredo, TXTUITION$$$$$
- The University of Texas at AustinLOCATIONAustin, TXTUITION$$$$$
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyLOCATIONEdinburg, TXTUITION$$$$$
- Texas State UniversityLOCATIONSan Marcos, TXTUITION$$$$$
- Texas A&M UniversityLOCATIONCollege Station, TXTUITION$$$$$
- University of HoustonLOCATIONHouston, TXTUITION$$$$$
- Sam Houston State UniversityLOCATIONHuntsville, TXTUITION$$$$$
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonLOCATIONArlington, TXTUITION$$$$$
- The University of Texas at El PasoLOCATIONEl Paso, TXTUITION$$$$$
- West Texas A&M UniversityLOCATIONCanyon, TXTUITION$$$$$
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