Texas Nurses Association (TNA): The state’s largest professional nursing organization, TNA advocates for nursing practice, policy and patient care standards across Texas. It offers continuing education, leadership development and networking opportunities for nurses at all career stages.
Registered Nurse Career and Degree Guide
By: All Nursing Schools Staff
How much do RNs make in Texas?
In Texas, registered nurses (RNs) navigate a salary landscape shaped by a delicate interplay of demand, geography and specialization. The median salary for RNs in Texas is slightly below the national median but is strengthened by the state’s lower cost of living. Earnings vary widely: Nurses in major metros like Houston and Dallas frequently surpass six figures, while those in rural or less acute care settings often fall below the midpoint. Several factors drive these differences, including the city or region of employment, education level (such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an Associate Degree in Nursing), an RN’s years of clinical experience, the type of employer (e.g., hospital vs. long-term care), and whether one works nights, weekends or other high-demand shifts.
Some of the reasons that RNs may want to consider working in Texas include:
- High demand and job growth: Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the country which fuels a continuous need for healthcare professionals. Settings like hospitals, outpatient centers and long-term care facilities are actively hiring RNs, creating a wealth of job opportunities and long-term stability.
- Diverse settings and specializations: Nurses in Texas can work in a wide range of environments from large urban hospitals in cities like Houston and Dallas to community clinics and rural health centers. This variety allows RNs to pursue specialties that align with their skills and career goals, such as critical care, pediatrics or oncology.
- Competitive pay and benefits: While the median salary in Texas is slightly below the national RN median, nurses often enjoy a better cost-of-living-to-salary ratio, meaning their earnings go further. Many employers also offer sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, tuition reimbursement and strong benefits packages.
- No state income tax: Texas is one of the few states without a state income tax. This financial advantage allows nurses to keep more of their paychecks, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize take-home income.
In this Article
Quick view | Top employers | Salary statistics | Education requirements | Cost of living considerations | Professional resources in TX
Snapshot of registered nurse salaries in TX
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas is home to approximately 261,050 RNs, the second-most out of any state in the country behind only California. The median wage per hour is $43, just slightly lower than the national average of $45 an hour. The forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 4.9%.
Top RN employers in Texas
Some of the largest employers of RNs in the state of Texas include:
- Texas Health Resources (THR), Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (multiple hospitals and outpatient centers):
A faith-based nonprofit system operating in North Texas, THR has around 29 hospital locations, more than 4,000 licensed beds and over 28,000 employees.- HCA Healthcare (Hospital Corporation of America), Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio:
While headquartered elsewhere, HCA Healthcare operates a large number of hospital locations in Texas (including under brands such as Medical City Healthcare) and is a major employer of RNs in Texas.- Texas Medical Center, Houston:
Located in Houston, TMC is the largest medical complex in the world (including the world’s largest children’s hospital and largest cancer hospital) and more than 120,000 employees.- Baylor Scott & White Health (BSW), Statewide, with major locations in Dallas, Temple, Waco and Austin:
Based in Dallas but with locations statewide, this large nonprofit health system has over 50 hospitals in its network.- Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Statewide:
A for-profit healthcare company headquartered in Dallas, Tenet operates approximately 77 hospitals in Texas, making it one of the largest employers of RNs in the state.
RN salary stats for Texas
The median annual salary for registered nurses in Texas is about the same as the national average at $90,010, but keep in mind that typical salaries vary depending on your location within the state and other factors like experience, education level, employer and more.
Registered Nurses
10%$64,660
25%$77,450
50%$90,010Median
75%$102,200
90%$122,060
Median Hourly Wage$43
Job growth4.9%
Total Employment261,050
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $98,740 | $67,400 | $122,800 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $97,810 | $69,360 | $125,320 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $95,210 | $64,660 | $116,800 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $94,900 | $64,210 | $122,820 |
| Midland, TX | $88,460 | $64,650 | $110,180 |
| Waco, TX | $87,330 | $64,380 | $108,180 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $87,100 | $63,260 | $115,990 |
| Amarillo, TX | $83,810 | $64,300 | $112,130 |
| El Paso, TX | $81,380 | $62,550 | $119,040 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $81,190 | $61,670 | $105,920 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary ranges for Texas nurses
The BLS reports that the salary range for RNs in Texas typically spans from $64,660 for the lowest 10% of RNs to $122,060 for the top 10% of RNs per year. This range generally includes both newcomers to the profession and more experienced RNs.
Employment of RNs by metro area
The BLS tracks salaries and employment by metropolitan areas. Unsurprisingly, large metropolitan areas employ the most RNs. The Dallas and Houston metro areas rank fifth and seventh on the list, respectively:
And here are the top 10 metro areas nationwide for RN pay. Texas doesn’t make the list, but many of these locations have such high salaries because of their high cost of living:
Texas salary growth and job outlook
The BLS predicts an overall 4.9% job growth for registered nurses in Texas through 2034. The job outlook for registered nurses (RNs) in Texas is very strong, driven by a combination of demographic growth, changing healthcare needs and systemic workforce shortages. According to the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, nursing shortages and maldistribution of jobs continues to affect the state despite overall employment numbers mostly bouncing back after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, they report that the supply of nurses in Texas is lower than the national average. Rural and underserved areas of the state face especially acute shortages, creating opportunities for nurses willing to work outside metro centers. For RNs in the field, this means strong job security, favorable negotiating power and a wide array of settings to choose from.
Texas RN education requirements
You must obtain an RN license through the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) in order to work as a nurse in the state.
Here are the basic steps. Be sure to consult the BON for full details:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED: You’ll need a high school education in order to gain admission to nursing programs.
- Complete an accredited nursing program and clinical experience: Students must complete an accredited nursing program such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or another program (such as an LVN-to-RN program) approved by the BON.
- Register for the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (NJE): Nursing applicants must take and pass the NJE before they can take the NCLEX-RN exam. The NJE test students on laws and regulations related to nursing practice within the state.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam: After their education, nursing graduates must also take and pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) in order to obtain a license.
- Maintain your license. Once your license is issued by the BON, Texas RNs must complete 20 contact hours of continuing nursing education every two years in order to renew their license and keep it active.
Other state-specific requirements
- Complete a background check and fingerprinting:
- Before taking the NCLEX-RN exam, students must also submit fingerprints to the BON and complete a criminal background check. Prior legal issues could affect eligibility for licensure.
- Complete the state jurisprudence exam:
- Texas is one of several states that require nursing licensure applicants to complete a state-specific jurisprudence exam in order to qualify for licensure. Even nurses applying for licensure by endorsement (meaning they already have an active license in another state) must also pass the exam.
Cost of living in Texas
The cost of living in Texas is generally lower than the national average, which makes it an attractive state for nurses seeking to maximize their earnings. Everyday expenses such as housing, utilities and transportation tend to be more affordable than in many other large states, particularly those on the East and West Coasts. This lower cost of living means that even if nurse salaries in Texas are slightly below the national RN average, nurses often enjoy greater purchasing power and can stretch their income further.
Word Population Review reports that the overall cost of living index in Texas is 92.7, meaning that the cost of living is 7.3% lower than the national average.
That said, costs vary widely depending on where you live and work. Major metropolitan areas like Austin, Dallas and Houston offer the highest concentrations of nursing jobs and top salaries, but they also come with higher living expenses, especially when it comes to housing and childcare. Austin, for example, has seen housing prices rise sharply in recent years due to rapid population growth and tech industry expansion. In contrast, regions such as San Antonio, El Paso, Lubbock and smaller rural communities tend to be much more affordable, allowing nurses to enjoy lower rent or mortgage costs while still earning competitive wages. For nurses weighing job offers or relocation opportunities, understanding the relationship between local salaries and cost of living is essential to making informed financial and career decisions.
Take a look at some of the most populous Texas cities and how their cost of living compares to the national average according to RentCafe:
| TX city | Cost of living compared to nation |
|---|---|
| Houston | 6% lower |
| San Antonio | 9% lower |
| Dallas | 1% lower |
| Forth Worth | 4% lower |
| Austin | 3% lower |
| El Paso | 12% lower |
Professional resources for Texas nurses
Professional nursing associations and industry organizations play a vital role in supporting nurses throughout their careers. Becoming a member of these groups opens doors to valuable resources such as networking events, mentorship opportunities, continuing education programs and up-to-date healthcare insights shared through journals, online forums and digital platforms. The following organizations are especially beneficial for nurses who live and work in Texas.
Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (TONL): Formerly known as the Texas Organization of Nurse Executives, TONL focuses on empowering nurse leaders through professional development, mentorship, and advocacy for effective healthcare leadership practices.
Texas Nurses Foundation (TNF): The philanthropic arm of the Texas Nurses Association, TNF provides scholarships, research funding, and grants to support nursing education, innovation, and workforce development in Texas.
Texas League for Nursing (TLN): An affiliate of the National League for Nursing, TLN supports nurse educators and promotes excellence in nursing education across the state through professional development programs and academic collaboration.
This guide to RN salaries in Texas is designed to give you a clear picture of what to anticipate when it comes to compensation in one of the state’s most essential healthcare careers. Nursing in Texas not only offers solid earning potential but also strong job security which is fueled by population growth, healthcare system expansion and a continuing shortage of skilled professionals. Whether you’re starting your journey in nursing or planning to move into an advanced practice or leadership position, gaining insight into the state’s pay trends can help you make smart choices about where to work, how to advance and what salary goals to set as you shape your career path.