What’s the Average MSN Salary in Texas?
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jun 2, 2025
What’s the Average MSN Salary in Texas?
Nurses play an invaluable role in our health care system. Across the country, with the wave of retirements of many older nurses and a shortfall of new graduates, the demand for skilled nurses is rising. Both the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) project that the U.S. will see a registered nurse (RN) shortage over the next decade.
Earning an advanced degree like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and seeking opportunities in a high-employment state like Texas can be a great way for aspiring nursing leaders to take control of their future. By equipping themselves with sought-after skills through an MSN program, nurses can compete for a desirable MSN salary in Texas and work toward their professional goals.
What Is an MSN?
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced degree in nursing. Prior to enrolling in a master’s in nursing program, students must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Additionally, most MSN students will likely have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and become an RN.
Typically, nurses who choose to enroll in an MSN program do so because they are interested in pursuing a senior level or nursing executive role, or they are looking to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
Why Earn an MSN?
While a BSN is an excellent qualification for a nursing career, it generally can only allow a nurse to advance so far. For nurses who are interested in specializing in a certain area of nursing, expanding their skills and workplace autonomy, or pursuing a leadership position, earning an advanced degree can be essential.
Many health care institutions, particularly larger organizations and government agencies, look for candidates with an advanced degree to fill their leadership positions, making completing additional training a valuable investment for nurses and a way for them to earn a higher MSN salary in Texas and across the country.
MSN Graduate Careers
MSN careers and specializations are varied. In senior clinical roles, MSN nurses provide bedside care to patients, coordinate with other health care professionals, oversee patients’ treatment care plans, and even head up nursing departments. Outside of clinical roles, MSN graduates work in nursing advocacy, facility administration, budgeting, strategic planning, research, teaching, and human resources.
Depending on their career goals, nurses with advanced training or specialized certifications can pursue any of a number of types of roles. Earning an MSN can open doors to roles in areas such as the following:
- Advanced clinical specializations
- Clinical nursing leadership
- Executive nursing leadership
- Research
- Education
- Public health
- Public advocacy
Specific roles available to MSN graduates include the following:
- Nursing manager
- Public health nurse
- Nursing advocate
- Nursing instructor
- Health care educator
- Director of nursing
While the MSN salary in Texas can vary depending on the type of facility an individual works for, their level of seniority, and their position, there are many opportunities available to skilled MSN graduates.
Where Do MSN Graduates Work?
Qualified MSN graduates can pursue any of a number of positions in either a clinical or nonclinical setting. Depending on their career goals, MSN graduates can pursue positions in any of the following types of organizations:
- Hospitals and health care facilities
- Clinics and private practices
- Government agencies and community centers
- Corporate businesses
- Educational institutions
- Charities and nonprofit organizations
- Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions
By earning an advanced degree, nurses can increase their employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas.
MSN Salary in Texas
According to the BLS, Texas is second only to California when it comes to the number of registered nurses employed in the state.
Registered nurses in Texas have a mean annual salary of $91,690 as of May 2024, according to the BLS. As far as MSN salaries in Texas, it can be helpful to look at the salaries for representative nursing professionals.
Cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Houston are ranked in the top 10 of metropolitan areas in the country that employ the most RNs, making them a great choice for nurses seeking work opportunities after graduation.
Below are the annual mean salaries for RNs in these areas as of May 2024:
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: $97,720
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands: $97,730
According to the BLS, the mean annual salary for postsecondary nursing instructors in Texas was $104,640, and for medical and health services managers, it was $124,750 as of May 2024.
Below are the annual mean salaries for postsecondary nursing instructors in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Houston as of May 2024:
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: $107,210
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands: $114,090
Below are the annual mean salaries for medical and health services managers in these areas as of May 2024:
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: $130,480
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands: $131,510
Pursue a Fulfilling Nursing Career in Texas
Nursing leaders have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their patients and in the organizations that care for them. By completing an advanced degree program such as the online Master of Science in Nursing program at The University of Tulsa, nurses can hone the technical and leadership skills they need to compete for senior level roles.
An accredited online program that offers three specialty tracks — Leadership and Innovation, Education and Elevation, and Public Health Global Vision — the MSN program at The University of Tulsa was designed to provide students with a well-rounded education that they can shape to fit their personal goals.
Discover how you can build a meaningful career with an MSN from TU.
Recommended Readings
How an MSN Can Prepare You for Advanced Nursing Practice
Nurse Work Environments: How an MSN Can Broaden Opportunities
Types of Nurses and Their Salaries
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Master’s Education
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet
Indeed, “12 Master in Nursing Jobs You Can Pursue With an MSN Degree”
Indeed, “20 Benefits of Earning a Master’s Degree in Nursing”
Indeed, “How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Texas (With Salary)”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Texas
