John BlessingNursing is one of the most in-demand and rewarding professions in Texas, with salaries that vary significantly depending on role, location, experience, and specialization. The term “nurse” covers a wide range of positions, from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) to advanced practice providers like Nurse Practitioners and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
In Texas, Registered Nurses earn an average annual salary that ranges from approximately $73,000 to over $100,000 depending on the source and methodology, while specialized roles like CRNAs can command well over $200,000. This comprehensive guide covers nurse salaries in Texas, drawing on salary survey data and industry compensation analyses.
NURSE SALARY IN TEXAS
1. Registered Nurse – Texas Statewide Average
The average pay for a Registered Nurse in Texas is approximately $101,286 per year, or $49 per hour, with an average bonus of $1,661. The average salary range is between $70,597 and $123,265. On average, a Bachelor’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse, and this compensation analysis is based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Texas.
2. Registered Nurse – Texas Statewide Average (Alternative Estimate)
Another salary analysis reports that the average salary for a Registered Nurse in Texas is $73,534 per year, or $35 per hour. The typical salary range shows top earners making $90,126, the majority range between $66,021 and $82,219, and entry-level at $59,180. This figure is lower than other estimates, reflecting differences in data sources and methodologies.
3. Registered Nurse – Texas Statewide Average (Survey Data)
Survey data reports that the average annual pay for a Registered Nurse in Texas is $86,201, or approximately $41.44 per hour. Salaries range as high as $142,544 and as low as $39,129, with the majority ranging between $65,200 and $100,600. Top earners make $128,102 annually. Texas ranks near the bottom among all states for Registered Nurse salaries according to this data set.
4. Registered Nurse – Texas Statewide Average (Job Posting Data)
Job posting data reports that the average base salary for a Registered Nurse in Texas is $40.35 per hour, with an average of $12,250 in overtime per year. This is 9% below the national average. Salaries range from a low of $26.50 to a high of $61.45 per hour, based on thousands of salaries taken from job postings.
5. Registered Nurse – Texas Statewide Average (Active Jobs Data)
Active jobs data reports that the average salary for a Registered Nurse in Texas is $47.98 per hour, which is equal to the national average. This data is based on active job listings.
6. Registered Nurse – Houston
In Houston, the average base salary for a Registered Nurse is $41.95 per hour, with an average of $12,250 in overtime per year. This is 6% below the national average. Salaries range from $27.67 to $63.61 per hour. The highest-paying companies for Registered Nurses in Houston include ProMed Staffing Resources ($416,000 per year), AAI ($207,500), and NationwideTherapyGroup-NTG ($178,880).
Another source reports that the average salary for a Registered Nurse in Houston is between $65,849 and $116,984. Late-career RNs in Houston earn an average of $52.56 per hour, with a total pay range of $78,000 to $130,000.
7. Registered Nurse – Dallas
In Dallas, the average pay for a Registered Nurse is $109,596 per year, or $52.69 per hour, which is 5% higher than the national average. The average salary range is between $76,388 and $133,378. Entry-level nurses earn around $76,000, while senior-level nurses earn up to $133,000. The estimated salary growth over five years projects to $124,910.
Another source reports the average salary for a Registered Nurse in Dallas is between $65,274 and $115,962. The average hourly pay for an RN in Dallas is $38.66, with a total pay range of $63,000 to $102,000. Entry-level nurses earn an average of $30.46 per hour, while early-career nurses earn $35.03 per hour.
8. Registered Nurse – Austin
In Austin, the average salary for a Registered Nurse is between $65,446 and $116,267. The average weekly salary for a Registered Nurse – Medical/Surgical in Austin is $1,425, with an average of $11,344 in overtime per year. The highest-paying companies include Aequor ($187,200 per year), ProTouch Staffing ($182,000), and Winston Support Services ($169,000).
The average hourly pay for a mid-career RN in Austin is $36.54, with a total pay range of $66,000 to $94,000. A separate report for RNs with geriatrics skills shows an average hourly pay of $36.79. Austin is listed as the highest-paying city for Registered Nurse Average jobs in Texas, with an average salary of $91,711.
9. Registered Nurse – San Antonio
In San Antonio, the average Registered Nurse salary is $110,508. Localized salaries for various RN job titles include Telemedicine Registered Nurse ($93,772), Staff Nurse – RN II ($84,596), Staff Nurse – RN III ($97,773), Float Nurse – RN ($93,242), Travel Nurse – RN ($138,486), Staff Nurse – RN I ($69,641), and Staff Nurse – RN – Emergency Room ($77,040).
10. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – Texas
Licensed Practical Nurses in Texas typically earn less than Registered Nurses. While specific data is not provided, LPN salaries generally range from $45,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on location and experience. LPNs work under the supervision of RNs and doctors, providing basic patient care.
11. Nurse Practitioner – Texas
Nurse Practitioners in Texas earn significantly more than Registered Nurses. Data for San Antonio shows Nurse Practitioner – Emergency Room earning $127,323 and Nurse Practitioner – Pediatric earning $119,484. Statewide, NPs typically earn between $110,000 and $140,000 annually, depending on specialty and location.
12. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) – Texas
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are the highest-paid nursing professionals in Texas, with a median annual salary of $244,990. Major metropolitan areas like San Antonio ($262,560), Odessa ($262,065), and Austin ($257,363) offer the highest compensation. CRNAs in Texas earn approximately 4% more than the national median.
13. Travel Nurse – Texas
Travel Nurses in Texas earn premium rates due to the temporary nature of their assignments. Data for San Antonio shows Travel Nurse – RN earning $138,486 per year, or $66.58 per hour. Travel nurses typically receive housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and other benefits in addition to their hourly pay.
14. Registered Nurse – First Year (Entry Level)
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Texas earn an average of $59,180 per year (10th percentile). The lowest reported hourly rate is $26.50, which equates to approximately $55,120 per year for full-time work. Entry-level RNs in Dallas earn $30.46 per hour and in Austin earn $30.59 per hour.
15. Registered Nurse – Experienced (Senior Level)
Senior-level Registered Nurses in Texas earn an average of $90,126 per year (90th percentile). Senior-level RNs in Dallas earn up to $133,378 per year. Late-career RNs in Houston earn $52.56 per hour, with total pay reaching $130,000.
16. Registered Nurse – Overtime Earnings
Overtime is a significant component of nurse compensation in Texas. The average overtime for Registered Nurses in Texas and Houston is $12,250 per year. This can substantially increase total annual earnings, especially for nurses who work extra shifts or pick up overtime during staffing shortages.
17. Registered Nurse – Bonus and Commission
In addition to base salary and overtime, nurses may earn bonuses and commissions. The average bonus for Registered Nurses in Texas is $1,661. Data for Dallas shows bonuses ranging from $252 to $11,000 and commissions from $0 to $13,000. These additional earnings can add thousands of dollars to annual compensation.
18. Registered Nurse – Salary by Education
A Bachelor’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Registered Nurse on average. Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) typically earn more than those with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Many hospitals in Texas now require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses, which can influence hiring and salary decisions.
19. Registered Nurse – Salary by Specialty
Specialty significantly affects nurse salaries in Texas. Emergency Room nurses in San Antonio earn $77,040, while Telemedicine RNs earn $93,772. Medical/Surgical nurses in Austin earn $1,425 per week, or approximately $74,100 per year. Nurses with specialized certifications in areas like critical care, oncology, or perioperative nursing can command higher salaries.
20. Registered Nurse – Salary by Shift
Night shift and weekend differentials can add 10-20% to a nurse’s base hourly rate. While specific data is not provided, these differentials are standard in most Texas hospitals and healthcare facilities. Nurses who work nights, weekends, or holidays can significantly increase their total compensation through these shift differentials.
COMPARISON TABLE
| Rank | Role / Source | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nurse (Texas) | $101,286 | $49.00 |
| 2 | Registered Nurse (Texas) | $86,201 | $41.44 |
| 3 | Registered Nurse (Texas) | $73,534 | $35.00 |
| 4 | Registered Nurse (Texas) | ~$83,928 | $40.35 |
| 5 | Registered Nurse (Texas) | ~$99,798 | $47.98 |
| 6 | Registered Nurse (Houston) | ~$87,256 | $41.95 |
| 7 | Registered Nurse (Dallas) | $109,596 | $52.69 |
| 8 | Registered Nurse (Dallas) | ~$80,413 | $38.66 |
| 9 | Registered Nurse (Austin) | $65,446–$116,267 | — |
| 10 | Registered Nurse (San Antonio) | $110,508 | — |
| 11 | Travel Nurse – RN (San Antonio) | $138,486 | $66.58 |
| 12 | Nurse Practitioner – ER (San Antonio) | $127,323 | $61.21 |
| 13 | Nurse Practitioner – Pediatric (San Antonio) | $119,484 | $57.44 |
| 14 | Staff Nurse – RN III (San Antonio) | $97,773 | $47.01 |
| 15 | Telemedicine RN (San Antonio) | $93,772 | $45.08 |
| 16 | Float Nurse – RN (San Antonio) | $93,242 | $44.83 |
| 17 | Staff Nurse – RN II (San Antonio) | $84,596 | $40.67 |
| 18 | Staff Nurse – RN – ER (San Antonio) | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| 19 | Staff Nurse – RN I (San Antonio) | $69,641 | $33.48 |
| 20 | CRNA (Texas) | $244,990 (median) | — |
TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING NURSE SALARIES IN TEXAS
Data Sources Vary Significantly: The wide range of reported salaries—from $73,534 to $101,286 for the same role—reflects differences in data sources and methodologies. Some sources report lower figures based on employer-reported data, while others report higher figures based on survey data and job postings. Always consider the source when comparing salaries.
Location Matters: Major metropolitan areas like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio offer higher salaries than rural areas. Dallas RNs earn an average of $109,596, while the statewide average is $101,286. San Antonio RNs earn $110,508.
Experience Drives Earnings: Entry-level nurses earn significantly less than experienced nurses. In Dallas, entry-level RNs earn around $76,000, while senior-level nurses earn up to $133,378. Salary growth continues over time, with estimated earnings reaching $124,910 after five years.
Specialty and Certification Increase Pay: Nurses with specialized skills and certifications earn more. Travel nurses earn $138,486 in San Antonio, while Nurse Practitioners in emergency rooms earn $127,323. Advanced practice roles like CRNAs command the highest salaries at over $244,000.
Overtime and Differentials Add Up: Overtime, night shift differentials, weekend differentials, and bonuses can significantly increase total compensation. The average overtime for Texas RNs is $12,250 per year, and bonuses can range from $252 to $11,000.
CONCLUSION
Nurse salaries in Texas vary widely depending on role, location, experience, and specialty. Registered Nurses earn an average of $73,534 to $101,286 per year depending on the data source, with the highest-paying cities including Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. Advanced practice providers like Nurse Practitioners and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists earn significantly more, with CRNAs commanding median salaries of $244,990. Entry-level nurses can expect to earn around $59,000 to $76,000, while experienced nurses can earn over $130,000.
Overtime, shift differentials, and bonuses can add thousands of dollars to annual compensation. By understanding the factors that influence nurse salaries in Texas—location, experience, specialty, and practice setting—nurses can make informed decisions about their careers and maximize their earning potential in the Lone Star State.