The demand for nurses in Texas continues to grow rapidly, driven by population increases, expanding healthcare facilities, and rising patient care needs. Texas is home to some of the highest-paying cities and employers for nurses in the United States, making it a competitive and rewarding field. Whether you’re a registered nurse (RN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), nurse practitioner (NP), or specialized nurse, understanding salary trends is crucial for making informed career decisions.
In this article, we explore the top 20 nurse salaries in Texas for 2025. We provide detailed insights into average annual earnings, job roles, required qualifications, and the factors influencing pay across different facilities and regions. From large metropolitan hospitals to specialized clinics, salaries can vary widely based on location, experience, and certifications.
If you’re planning to start or advance your nursing career in Texas, this comprehensive guide will help you understand where the highest-paying opportunities are and what factors contribute to better compensation.
Nurse Salary in Texas
Below is a detailed breakdown of the top 20 nurse salaries in Texas for 2025, covering various nursing roles and specialties across the state.
1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Average Annual Salary: $212,000 – $230,000
- Hourly Rate: $100 – $110
- Education Required: Master’s or Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia
- Experience Level: Advanced
- Overview: CRNAs are among the highest-paid nurses in Texas due to their specialized skills in administering anesthesia during surgeries and medical procedures. They often work in hospitals, surgical centers, and outpatient clinics.
2. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Average Annual Salary: $125,000 – $140,000
- Hourly Rate: $60 – $70
- Education Required: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: Nurse Practitioners in Texas provide advanced patient care, including diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans. Salaries vary depending on specialization, with family, psychiatric, and acute care NPs earning higher wages.
3. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Average Annual Salary: $105,000 – $120,000
- Hourly Rate: $50 – $58
- Education Required: Master’s or Doctorate in Nursing
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: CNS professionals focus on improving patient care outcomes through evidence-based practices. They often work in hospitals, research facilities, and academic institutions, contributing to quality control and policy development.
4. Nurse Midwife
- Average Annual Salary: $98,000 – $112,000
- Hourly Rate: $47 – $54
- Education Required: MSN with a specialization in Midwifery
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: Certified Nurse Midwives provide prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care to expectant mothers. In Texas, midwives are in high demand, especially in metropolitan areas where birthing centers and maternity hospitals are prevalent.
5. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Registered Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $92,000 – $105,000
- Hourly Rate: $44 – $50
- Education Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: ICU nurses work in high-pressure environments, caring for critically ill or injured patients. Salaries are higher than general RNs due to the demanding nature of the role and the advanced skills required.
6. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Average Annual Salary: $94,000 – $108,000
- Hourly Rate: $45 – $52
- Education Required: MSN or DNP with a Pediatric focus
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: PNPs specialize in providing healthcare to infants, children, and adolescents. Texas’s growing pediatric population contributes to competitive salaries for professionals in this field, especially in children’s hospitals and clinics.
7. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Average Annual Salary: $120,000 – $135,000
- Hourly Rate: $58 – $65
- Education Required: MSN or DNP in Psychiatric Nursing
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: PMHNPs manage mental health care for patients with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. With Texas facing increasing mental health care demands, these professionals are highly sought after.
8. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $90,000 – $102,000
- Hourly Rate: $43 – $49
- Education Required: BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: NICU nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in specialized hospital units. Their roles require extensive training and emotional resilience, leading to above-average pay compared to general RNs.
9. Travel Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $95,000 – $120,000
- Hourly Rate: $46 – $58
- Education Required: RN license, BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Varies
- Overview: Travel nurses work on short-term assignments across Texas, filling staffing gaps in hospitals and clinics. Their salaries are significantly higher due to relocation allowances, housing stipends, and the flexibility required for the role.
10. Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $85,000 – $96,000
- Hourly Rate: $41 – $46
- Education Required: BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: ER nurses handle high-stakes medical situations, from trauma care to urgent illnesses. With Texas hosting numerous Level I trauma centers, ER nurses are compensated well for their fast-paced, critical work.
11. Operating Room (OR) Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $87,000 – $100,000
- Hourly Rate: $42 – $48
- Education Required: BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: OR nurses assist surgeons during operations, ensuring patient safety and smooth procedures. Their expertise in surgical techniques and sterile environments makes them highly valued in hospitals across Texas.
12. Oncology Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $88,000 – $104,000
- Hourly Rate: $43 – $50
- Education Required: BSN or MSN in Oncology Nursing
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: Oncology nurses care for cancer patients, administering treatments and providing emotional support. Texas’s advanced cancer treatment facilities offer competitive pay for oncology specialists.
13. Nurse Educator
- Average Annual Salary: $82,000 – $95,000
- Hourly Rate: $39 – $45
- Education Required: MSN or Doctorate preferred
- Experience Level: Senior
- Overview: Nurse educators train future nurses in universities and healthcare institutions. As the demand for skilled nurses grows in Texas, educators play a critical role, resulting in steady salaries and strong job security.
14. Flight Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $96,000 – $115,000
- Hourly Rate: $46 – $55
- Education Required: BSN required, certifications in trauma and critical care
- Experience Level: Mid to Senior
- Overview: Flight nurses provide critical care during air medical transport, responding to emergencies across Texas’s rural and urban areas. Due to the risks and responsibilities, they receive higher-than-average pay.
15. Home Health Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $78,000 – $90,000
- Hourly Rate: $37 – $43
- Education Required: RN license, BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Entry to Mid
- Overview: Home health nurses care for patients recovering from illness or surgery in their homes. With Texas’s aging population, this field is growing quickly, and salaries are competitive in both urban and rural settings.
16. Nurse Manager
- Average Annual Salary: $105,000 – $125,000
- Hourly Rate: $50 – $60
- Education Required: BSN or MSN, leadership certifications preferred
- Experience Level: Senior
- Overview: Nurse managers oversee hospital units, managing staff, budgets, and patient care standards. In Texas’s large healthcare facilities, their leadership responsibilities command strong compensation packages.
17. Hospice Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $79,000 – $88,000
- Hourly Rate: $38 – $42
- Education Required: RN license, BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Entry to Mid
- Overview: Hospice nurses provide compassionate care to terminally ill patients and support their families during end-of-life stages. Texas’s growing hospice sector offers competitive salaries for professionals specializing in palliative care.
18. Dialysis Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $84,000 – $92,000
- Hourly Rate: $40 – $44
- Education Required: RN license, BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Entry to Mid
- Overview: Dialysis nurses treat patients with kidney disease, managing dialysis procedures and patient education. With rising rates of chronic kidney disease in Texas, dialysis specialists are increasingly in demand.
19. Labor and Delivery Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $86,000 – $94,000
- Hourly Rate: $41 – $45
- Education Required: BSN preferred
- Experience Level: Mid
- Overview: Labor and delivery nurses assist mothers through childbirth, providing prenatal and postpartum support. Texas hospitals pay competitively for skilled professionals in this rewarding specialty.
20. Public Health Nurse
- Average Annual Salary: $77,000 – $85,000
- Hourly Rate: $36 – $41
- Education Required: BSN required
- Experience Level: Entry to Mid
- Overview: Public health nurses work with communities to improve overall health and prevent diseases. Texas’s diverse population and large rural areas create ongoing demand for these professionals.
Salary Trends for Nurses in Texas
Nursing salaries in Texas vary significantly depending on experience, education, specialization, and location. Over the past five years, the state has experienced a steady increase in average pay rates due to rising healthcare demands and workforce shortages.
- Overall Average RN Salary (2025): $88,000 – $94,000 annually
- Overall Average NP Salary (2025): $125,000 – $140,000 annually
- Overall Average LVN Salary (2025): $53,000 – $60,000 annually
Key Drivers of Salary Growth:
- Population Growth: Texas’s population exceeds 30 million, resulting in increased healthcare demands.
- Hospital Expansion: New hospitals and medical facilities are opening, especially in metropolitan areas.
- Specialization Demand: Advanced nursing specialties, such as CRNA and NP roles, are experiencing higher salary boosts.
- Nursing Shortages: With an ongoing shortage of qualified nurses, employers are offering competitive pay and sign-on bonuses.
Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Texas
While Texas offers competitive salaries statewide, earnings vary significantly by location. Major metropolitan areas and regions with high healthcare demands generally offer higher pay rates. Below are the top five highest-paying cities for nurses in Texas:
1. Houston
- Average RN Salary: $94,000 – $100,000
- Highlights: Home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, Houston offers high-paying opportunities across specialized nursing roles, research facilities, and private hospitals.
2. Dallas
- Average RN Salary: $91,000 – $97,000
- Highlights: Dallas boasts a strong healthcare sector with numerous hospitals, including some of the country’s top-ranked children’s and cardiac facilities, making it a hub for specialized nursing jobs.
3. Austin
- Average RN Salary: $89,000 – $94,000
- Highlights: As Texas’s fastest-growing city, Austin provides competitive salaries and job openings in both public and private healthcare institutions, especially in surgical and trauma care.
4. San Antonio
- Average RN Salary: $87,000 – $92,000
- Highlights: San Antonio’s large military presence and advanced medical facilities create a diverse range of nursing opportunities, particularly in critical care and pediatrics.
5. Fort Worth
- Average RN Salary: $85,000 – $91,000
- Highlights: Fort Worth has a rapidly growing healthcare industry, with several expanding hospital systems offering higher wages to attract experienced nurses.
Top Employers for Nurses in Texas
Several healthcare systems in Texas consistently rank among the best employers for nurses, offering competitive salaries, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
1. Houston Methodist Hospital System
- Location: Houston
- Highlights: Known for high-quality patient care and advanced facilities, Houston Methodist consistently ranks among the best hospitals in the U.S.
2. Baylor Scott & White Health
- Location: Statewide
- Highlights: As Texas’s largest nonprofit healthcare system, Baylor Scott & White provides excellent pay scales and opportunities for specialization.
3. UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Location: Dallas
- Highlights: A leading academic medical center offering competitive compensation, especially for research-focused and specialized nursing roles.
4. Texas Children’s Hospital
- Location: Houston
- Highlights: One of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, offering some of the highest salaries for pediatric and neonatal nurses.
5. HCA Healthcare
- Location: Multiple cities
- Highlights: With dozens of facilities across Texas, HCA offers a wide range of nursing opportunities with competitive pay and sign-on bonuses.
Factors Influencing Nurse Salaries in Texas
Several factors contribute to the significant salary variations across nursing roles in Texas. Understanding these can help you make informed decisions about your career path and earning potential.
1. Level of Education
- Nurses with advanced degrees, such as MSN or DNP, earn substantially more than those with only an associate degree or diploma.
- Specialized certifications can also boost salaries, especially for CRNAs, NPs, and CNS professionals.
2. Years of Experience
- Entry-level nurses typically earn 20%–30% less than their mid-career counterparts.
- Nurses with 10+ years of experience, especially in leadership or specialized roles, command significantly higher salaries.
3. Specialization
- Specialized nursing roles—such as anesthesia, neonatal care, psychiatric care, and oncology—generally earn more than general RNs and LVNs due to their advanced skills and higher demand.
4. Location
- Metropolitan areas like Houston and Dallas offer higher wages compared to rural regions, primarily due to larger hospital networks and increased patient volume.
5. Healthcare Facility Type
- Large hospitals and teaching institutions tend to pay more than small clinics or nursing homes.
- Travel nurses often earn premium pay, thanks to relocation stipends and flexible contracts.
Entry-Level vs. Experienced Nurse Salaries
Nurse salaries in Texas also depend heavily on experience. Below is a quick comparison:
| Experience Level | Average Annual Salary (RN) | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $70,000 – $78,000 | $33 – $37 |
| Mid-Level (3–7 years) | $82,000 – $90,000 | $39 – $43 |
| Senior-Level (8+ years) | $95,000 – $105,000 | $46 – $50 |
| Advanced Practice Nurses | $120,000 – $230,000 | $58 – $110 |
This shows that experience plays a critical role in salary progression, especially for those who pursue advanced certifications or leadership positions.
Projected Nursing Job Growth in Texas
Texas is projected to experience one of the fastest nursing job growth rates in the U.S. due to rising healthcare needs.
- Registered Nurses: Expected growth of 16% by 2030
- Nurse Practitioners: Expected growth of 38% by 2030
- Licensed Vocational Nurses: Expected growth of 9% by 2030
The demand is particularly strong in critical care, pediatrics, geriatrics, and advanced practice nursing roles, making Texas one of the most promising states for nursing careers.