CRNA Salary in Texas (2026)

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are among the highest-paid advanced practice providers in the United States, and Texas offers a robust job market with competitive compensation. With a national median base salary around $218,000, CRNAs in Texas can expect earnings that vary significantly based on location, experience, practice setting, and employment model. Understanding these variations is essential for both new graduates entering the field and experienced CRNAs considering relocation or career changes.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of CRNA salaries across Texas, including state averages, city-by-city breakdowns, and the factors that influence earning potential.

CRNA Salary in Texas

1. Texas Statewide CRNA Salary Overview

Texas CRNA salaries reflect the state’s status as a major healthcare market with diverse practice environments. According to Salary.com data, the average CRNA salary in Texas ranges from approximately $210,000 in smaller cities to over $240,000 in major metropolitan areas. The state’s position as an ACT (Anesthesiologist Care Team) model state means most CRNAs work under physician supervision, though this does not significantly diminish earning potential in hospital settings.

Nationwide, CRNA median base salary reached $218,000 in 2026, with the top quartile earning $255,000. Texas CRNAs generally fall within this range, with urban centers and specialized facilities offering compensation at the higher end.

2. Austin, TX CRNA Salary

Austin has emerged as one of Texas’s most competitive markets for CRNA compensation. As of August 2026, the average CRNA salary in Austin is $240,801 per year, or approximately $116 per hour. The salary range spans from $216,729 at the entry level (10th percentile) to $311,679 for top earners (90th percentile), with the majority of CRNAs earning between $228,201 and $277,901.

Experience significantly impacts earnings in Austin. Entry-level CRNAs (less than one year) earn an average of $236,797, while those with over eight years of experience average $260,284. Mid-career professionals (2-4 years) see a notable jump to $257,527.

3. Dallas, TX CRNA Salary

Dallas offers a large job market with salaries slightly below Austin’s average. As of June 2026, the average annual pay for a CRNA in Dallas is $238,040, or approximately $114.44 per hour. The salary range is broad, with the 25th percentile at $174,600 and the 75th percentile at $319,000, while top earners (90th percentile) can reach $361,587.

The wide salary range in Dallas reflects the diversity of practice settings, from large hospital systems to outpatient surgery centers. Locum tenens CRNAs in Texas, including Dallas, earn an average of $241,958 annually, with top earners reaching $367,537.

4. Houston, TX CRNA Salary

Houston, home to the Texas Medical Center, offers CRNA opportunities at some of the nation’s leading institutions. MD Anderson Cancer Center, for example, lists CRNA salaries with a minimum of $215,000, a midpoint of $245,000, and a maximum of $275,000. This range reflects the premium compensation available at specialized academic medical centers.

The Houston market benefits from the concentration of healthcare facilities, including Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. CRNAs in Houston can expect compensation in the $230,000 to $260,000 range for hospital-employed positions, with additional earning potential through call coverage and overtime.

5. San Antonio, TX CRNA Salary

San Antonio offers a strong CRNA job market with compensation slightly below Austin and Dallas. According to Salary.com data, the average CRNA salary in San Antonio is approximately $226,400. This positions San Antonio as a solid mid-range market for CRNA compensation in Texas.

The city’s lower cost of living relative to Austin and Dallas means that a $226,000 salary in San Antonio can provide a higher quality of life than a comparable salary in more expensive markets. Military medical facilities, including Brooke Army Medical Center, also offer CRNA positions with competitive federal compensation.

6. El Paso, TX CRNA Salary

El Paso presents a unique opportunity for CRNAs seeking higher compensation in exchange for serving an underserved region. Tenet Healthcare and the Hospitals of Providence System have advertised positions offering annual salaries exceeding $300,000 plus a $75,000 sign-on bonus. These positions include additional compensation for call coverage and extra shift coverage, along with comprehensive benefits.

The El Paso market demonstrates how critical access and underserved areas can offer premium compensation to attract CRNAs. While Salary.com lists El Paso’s average at $211,800, the advertised premium positions show that significantly higher earnings are achievable in the region.

7. Other Texas Cities

Beyond the major metropolitan areas, CRNA salaries in Texas vary by location. Longview offers an average of $222,000, with CHRISTUS Health advertising new grad starting salaries of $205,000 plus premium pay rates of $150/hour for overtime and shift differentials. Amarillo averages $221,200, Killeen $221,100, Temple $219,600, and Waco $217,700.

Smaller cities like Lubbock ($217,100), Wichita Falls ($215,600), Abilene ($214,500), and Harlingen ($210,000) offer slightly lower averages but may provide higher purchasing power due to lower living costs. McAllen and Brownsville, at $209,100 and $209,600 respectively, represent the lower end of the Texas salary spectrum.

8. Locum Tenens and 1099 CRNA Earnings in Texas

For CRNAs willing to work on a contract or independent basis, Texas offers substantial earning potential. Locum tenens CRNAs in Texas earn an average of $241,958 annually, or approximately $116.33 per hour. Top earners in this category reach $367,537, with the majority earning between $177,500 and $324,200.

Nationally, 1099 CRNA rates range from $150 to $210 per hour in urban areas, and $210 to $275 per hour in rural or critical access settings. Annualized at full-time hours, this translates to gross earnings of $270,000 to $495,000 before taxes and expenses.

Comparison Table

1. Experience Significantly Impacts Earnings

CRNA salaries in Texas increase substantially with experience. In Austin, entry-level CRNAs earn an average of $236,797, while those with over eight years of experience earn $260,284. Mid-career professionals (2-4 years) see a notable jump, suggesting that the first few years of practice are critical for building earning potential.

2. Practice Setting Matters

Hospital-employed CRNAs in CRNA-only models earn more than those in ACT (Anesthesiologist Care Team) models. While Texas is an ACT state, some facilities, particularly in rural areas, allow greater autonomy and compensate accordingly. Critical access hospitals offer the highest compensation, with base salaries of $260,000 to $310,000 plus call and overtime.

3. Locum Tenens Offers Premium Earnings

For CRNAs willing to work on a contract basis, locum tenens positions in Texas offer average annual earnings of $241,958, with top earners reaching $367,537. The flexibility and premium pay make locum work an attractive option for CRNAs seeking to maximize income or explore different practice environments.

4. Sign-On Bonuses Are Common

Many Texas employers offer sign-on bonuses to attract CRNAs. El Paso positions advertise $75,000 bonuses, while Longview offers up to $35,000. These bonuses can significantly enhance first-year compensation and are often negotiable.

5. Cost of Living Affects Real Earnings

While Austin and Dallas offer the highest nominal salaries, the cost of living in these cities is also higher. San Antonio, El Paso, and smaller Texas cities offer lower salaries but significantly lower living costs, potentially resulting in greater disposable income and purchasing power.

6. Shift Differentials and Overtime Add Value

Many Texas CRNA positions include shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends. Longview, for example, offers $12/hour for evenings, $14/hour for nights, and $16/hour for weekends, which can stack with premium pay rates for overtime. These additions can substantially increase total compensation.

7. Rural and Underserved Areas Pay Premiums

Texas’s rural and underserved regions offer the highest CRNA compensation. El Paso’s $300,000+ positions and the general rural premium of $260,000 to $310,000 base salaries demonstrate that CRNAs willing to work in less populated areas can earn significantly more than their urban counterparts.

Closing

Texas offers a strong and diverse market for CRNA compensation, with salaries ranging from approximately $210,000 in smaller cities to over $300,000 in premium positions in underserved areas. Major metropolitan areas like Austin, Dallas, and Houston provide competitive salaries in the $230,000 to $260,000 range, while El Paso and other rural regions offer premium compensation for those willing to serve communities with limited healthcare access.

The key factors influencing CRNA salaries in Texas include experience, practice setting, geographic location, and employment model. Locum tenens and 1099 positions offer the highest earning potential, particularly for CRNAs willing to work in critical access or rural settings. Sign-on bonuses, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities further enhance total compensation.

For new CRNAs entering the field, Texas offers excellent opportunities to build a rewarding career with strong earning potential. For experienced CRNAs, the state’s diverse market provides options to maximize income through strategic choices about practice setting and location. Whether seeking the urban amenities of Austin and Dallas or the premium compensation of underserved regions, CRNAs in Texas can find positions that align with their career goals and financial objectives.