RN Salary in Texas (2026): The Complete BLS-Anchored Guide
Last verified: April 22, 2026 — all pay figures anchored to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 29-1141 Registered Nurses, May 2024 release; Nurse Licensure Compact membership per NCSBN; Texas staffing context from Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 257.
Texas is the second-largest U.S. state RN market by employment (~245,000 RNs, behind only California). BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 reports a Texas state RN median annual wage of $87,7201 — modestly above the national RN median of $86,070. Texas sits in a distinctive structural category: NLC-compact membership (fast interstate mobility), non-union market (no state-level collective-bargaining density), large for-profit health system presence (HCA, Tenet, Community Health Systems), and the Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world by volume. This guide is the complete Texas RN salary picture in 2026: every BLS-reported metro, the NLC licensure advantage, the Texas staffing-committee framework, care-setting differentials, Houston/Dallas/Austin/San Antonio employer landscape, travel-nurse comparison, and how specialty certifications stack on top of Texas base pay.
The Headline — Texas RN Pay in One Chart
BLS OEWS 29-1141 Registered Nurses, Texas state, May 2024 release:1
| Metric | Texas | U.S. median | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) annual | $87,720 | $86,070 | +2% |
| Mean annual | $90,390 | $94,480 | -4% |
| 10th percentile annual | $63,550 | $61,250 | +4% |
| 25th percentile annual | $73,690 | $72,800 | +1% |
| 75th percentile annual | $104,670 | $107,380 | -3% |
| 90th percentile annual | $120,690 | $132,680 | -9% |
| Median hourly | $42.17 | $41.38 | +2% |
| Employment | ~245,000 | ~3.3M | — |
Texas pay sits near the national median across all percentiles but has a lower ceiling than states with statutory-ratio laws or heavy union density. The Texas value proposition is different: cost of living is substantially below California and New York (especially housing), pay is competitive with the national median, and NLC-compact membership makes travel and multi-state practice structurally easier.
Why Texas Pays What It Does — The Structural Drivers
1. Non-union market, for-profit-heavy employer base. Texas is a right-to-work state with negligible RN union density. The largest RN employers are for-profit systems:
- HCA Healthcare — headquartered in Nashville but with its largest state footprint in Texas (dozens of Texas facilities including Medical City, Methodist Mansfield, Bayshore, Conroe, and others). HCA's Texas operations employ tens of thousands of RNs.
- Tenet Healthcare — Dallas-based, operates across Texas.
- Community Health Systems — national for-profit with Texas presence.
Non-union employers set pay via internal labor-market analysis rather than contractual scales. Bidding wars during short-staffing periods (2021–2022) drove Texas RN pay temporarily higher; rates have normalized in 2025–2026.
2. NLC Compact membership. Texas is one of the original NLC states — joined the Compact in 2000.2 Out-of-state RNs with compact licenses can practice in Texas without additional state licensure (as long as their compact license is from an NLC member state). This is a meaningful advantage for travel-nurse pipelines, temporary assignment flexibility, and mass-casualty response.
3. The Texas Medical Center (TMC) — largest medical complex in the world by volume. Houston's Texas Medical Center hosts Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, Texas Children's, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor St. Luke's, Ben Taub (Harris Health), Shriners Children's, TIRR Memorial Hermann, and more — approximately 10 million patient visits per year across the TMC campus.3 The TMC workforce concentration sustains competitive Houston metro pay.
4. Large volume of for-profit and non-profit academic systems.
- Houston Methodist Hospital — flagship academic medical center, non-union.
- Memorial Hermann Health System — Houston-based non-profit.
- Baylor Scott & White Health — Dallas-based, largest non-profit system in Texas.
- UT Southwestern Medical Center — academic medical center in Dallas.
- Methodist Health System (Dallas) — non-profit Dallas-based.
- Parkland Health (Dallas) — public safety-net hospital; competitive pay with pension.
- Seton Healthcare Family / Ascension Seton (Austin) — Catholic non-profit system.
- University Health (San Antonio) — public safety-net hospital; competitive pay.
- Methodist Healthcare (San Antonio) — non-profit.
- Harris Health System (Houston Ben Taub + LBJ) — public safety-net.
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston) — one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S.
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) — NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center; high OCN and oncology-cert weighting.
5. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 257 — nurse staffing committee framework. Texas requires hospitals to establish Nurse Staffing Committees with RN representation (majority RN) that develop and evaluate nurse-staffing plans; committees must have a minimum of 60% direct-care RNs.4 This is not statutory ratios like California's AB 394; it is a committee-driven process similar to New York's 2021 law. Meaningful floor-raising effect but less structural than AB 394.
6. Cost of living. Texas cost of living (especially housing in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin) has risen significantly over 2020–2025 but remains well below coastal metros. Nominal RN pay near national median + lower cost of living often produces stronger net real purchasing power than nominal pay numbers suggest.
Metro Breakdown — BLS-Reported Texas Areas
Texas metros with BLS OEWS 29-1141 published data (May 2024, top metros by employment):1
| Metro | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land | $44.84 | $93,270 | ~61,000 | TMC concentration. Largest metro RN workforce in TX. |
| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington | $43.63 | $90,760 | ~69,000 | Baylor + UT Southwestern + Methodist + Medical City (HCA) + Parkland. |
| San Antonio–New Braunfels | $39.60 | $82,360 | ~20,000 | University Health + Methodist + Baptist (Tenet) + Southwest Research Institute clinical programs. |
| Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown | $42.70 | $88,820 | ~14,000 | Seton (Ascension) + St. David's (HCA) + Texas Oncology. |
| El Paso | $38.43 | $79,930 | ~7,500 | University Medical Center + Hospitals of Providence + Las Palmas. |
| McAllen–Edinburg–Mission | $37.85 | $78,720 | ~7,500 | DHR Health + South Texas Health System. |
| Corpus Christi | $37.71 | $78,430 | ~4,000 | CHRISTUS Spohn + Corpus Christi Medical Center. |
| Brownsville–Harlingen | $37.49 | $77,980 | ~3,000 | Valley Baptist + Harlingen Medical Center. |
| Beaumont–Port Arthur | $38.80 | $80,700 | ~3,000 | Christus Southeast Texas. |
| Killeen–Temple | $41.24 | $85,790 | ~4,500 | Baylor Scott & White Temple (flagship non-Dallas Baylor). |
| Waco | $38.10 | $79,250 | ~3,000 | Baylor Scott & White + Ascension Providence. |
| Laredo | $36.33 | $75,570 | ~2,500 | Laredo Medical Center + Doctors Hospital of Laredo. |
| Lubbock | $37.19 | $77,340 | ~3,500 | UMC + Covenant. |
| Abilene | $35.99 | $74,860 | ~1,500 | Hendrick Health + Abilene Regional. |
| College Station–Bryan | $37.29 | $77,570 | ~2,000 | CHI St. Joseph + Baylor Scott & White. |
| Tyler | $36.43 | $75,770 | ~3,000 | UT Health East Texas + Christus Trinity Mother Frances. |
| Longview | $36.00 | $74,870 | ~2,000 | Christus Good Shepherd + UT Health. |
| Odessa / Midland | $37.25 | $77,480 | ~3,500 (combined) | Medical Center Health System + Midland Memorial. |
| Sherman–Denison | $37.55 | $78,110 | ~1,500 | Texoma Medical Center. |
| Amarillo | $37.17 | $77,310 | ~3,000 | BSA Health System + Northwest Texas Healthcare. |
| Wichita Falls | $34.15 | $71,020 | ~1,500 | United Regional Health Care. |
| Victoria | $35.90 | $74,670 | ~1,000 | Citizens Medical Center + DeTar. |
| Texarkana | $34.30 | $71,350 | ~1,000 | Christus St. Michael. |
| San Angelo | $34.80 | $72,390 | ~1,000 | Shannon Medical Center. |
| Midland (separate MSA) | $39.15 | $81,420 | ~1,500 | Midland Memorial. |
The Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio metros concentrate the Texas RN workforce. Border and West Texas metros run modestly lower.
Texas Pay by Care Setting
Base pay varies by care setting on top of the state BLS median. Typical 2026 Texas base ranges (before differentials), major metros:
| Care setting | Typical 2026 TX base (major metros) | Source link |
|---|---|---|
| Acute care med-surg / stepdown | $75,000–$105,000 | Hub F acute |
| ICU | $85,000–$125,000 | Hub F ICU |
| ED | $80,000–$120,000 | Hub F ED |
| OR / perioperative | $80,000–$115,000 | Hub F OR |
| L&D | $82,000–$120,000 | Hub F L&D |
| Pediatric specialty | $85,000–$130,000 | Hub F pediatric |
| Ambulatory | $72,000–$95,000 | Hub F ambulatory |
| Home health | $75,000–$105,000 | Hub F home health |
| Hospice | $72,000–$95,000 | Hub F hospice |
| School nursing | $50,000–$75,000 (10-month contract) | Hub F school |
Shift differentials typical in Texas hospital contracts: night +$3–$7/hour, weekend +$2–$5/hour, charge +$1–$4/hour, specialty-cert stipend varies by employer. Smaller Texas metros pay 10–20% below Houston/Dallas/Austin base.
Top Texas Employers — 2026 Pay Landscape
Houston Methodist Hospital (Houston) — flagship non-profit academic medical center. Houston Methodist System includes 8 hospitals. Competitive base pay; strong Magnet clinical ladder.
Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston) — 17 hospitals; non-profit; non-union.
Texas Children's Hospital (Houston) — one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S. Strong pediatric specialty-program concentration.
MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) — NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Premium oncology specialty programs; strong OCN/AOCNP weighting.
Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas + Temple + statewide) — largest non-profit health system in Texas. 51 hospitals; Temple flagship.
UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas) — academic medical center; state-employer structure.
Methodist Health System (Dallas) — non-profit; separate from Houston Methodist.
Parkland Health (Dallas) — public safety-net; competitive pay with pension (Dallas County pension).
Medical City Healthcare (Dallas area — HCA) — 16 HCA hospitals in the DFW metroplex.
Ascension Seton / Seton Healthcare Family (Austin) — Catholic non-profit.
St. David's HealthCare (Austin — HCA) — 7 HCA hospitals.
University Health (San Antonio) — public safety-net; competitive pay + Bexar County pension.
Methodist Healthcare (San Antonio) — non-profit joint venture.
Baptist Health System (San Antonio — Tenet) — 6 Tenet hospitals.
HCA Healthcare (statewide) — dozens of Texas facilities across Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio metros and beyond.
Tenet Healthcare (statewide) — Dallas-based; multiple Texas facilities.
VA Medical Centers (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, Amarillo, Temple) — federal pay scale + federal pension.
DHR Health (McAllen-Edinburg) — largest Rio Grande Valley health system.
CHRISTUS Health (statewide) — Catholic non-profit.
Compare specific facilities at Hospital Pay Band Comparator.
Specialty Certifications — What They Stack on Texas Base
Non-union Texas market differentials are less consistent than California or New York. Typical 2026 employer differential stacking:
- CCRN — AACN; TX differential typically $1–$2/hour + clinical-ladder step at Magnet facilities.
- CEN — BCEN; TX differential typically $1–$1.50/hour.
- OCN — ONCC; TX differential typically $1–$2.50/hour at NCI-affiliated programs (MD Anderson especially).
- CNOR — CCI; TX differential typically $1–$2/hour + RNFA pathway.
- PCCN / CMSRN / RNC-OB / RNC-NIC / CPN / TCRN / CPEN — codified at Magnet facilities; variable elsewhere.
Model at Specialty Cert Worth-It.
Travel Nurse Baseline — Texas Comparison
Texas is a mid-tier travel nursing market. The NLC compact makes licensure fast; rates are moderate.
Typical 2026 weekly gross for experienced travelers on Texas contracts:
| Specialty | Weekly gross (typical) | Weekly gross (crisis rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Med-surg | $1,700–$2,200 | $2,500–$2,900 |
| Telemetry/PCU | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,700–$3,100 |
| ED | $2,000–$2,600 | $2,900–$3,300 |
| ICU | $2,100–$2,700 | $3,000–$3,500 |
| CVICU/NICU/PICU | $2,300–$3,000 | $3,200–$3,700 |
| L&D | $1,900–$2,500 | $2,700–$3,100 |
| OR | $2,000–$2,700 | $2,900–$3,400 |
Licensure advantage: Texas is an NLC-compact state. Travelers with NLC multistate licenses from any other compact state can begin a Texas assignment without additional licensure (though agencies verify compact status). Single-state licensure is available for non-compact travelers; processing typically 4–8 weeks.2
Real take-home after IRS Publication 463 tax-home compliance, Texas housing (much more affordable than coastal metros — a significant margin-protector), and contract-specific terms typically runs 15–25% below headline. Run at Travel Nurse Contract Analyzer.
Texas RN Licensing — NLC Compact State
Texas is a compact (NLC) state — joined in 2000, one of the original NLC members.2 Practical implications:
- RNs with NLC compact licenses from any other compact state can practice in Texas without additional state licensure.
- Texas RNs with a Texas multistate (compact) license can practice in any other NLC state.
- Out-of-state RNs with single-state licenses (from non-NLC states like California, New York, Oregon, Nevada, Hawaii, Massachusetts) must obtain a Texas license by endorsement — typically 4–8 weeks processing.
Full Texas BON licensing detail: Texas Nurse Licensing Guide.
Career Lattice — How Texas RNs Grow Pay
Clinical ladder (typical Magnet hospital structure): Clinical Nurse I → II → III → IV → V. BSN + specialty cert + professional activity typically required for ladder advancement. Texas Magnet hospitals (Houston Methodist, UT Southwestern, Texas Children's, MD Anderson, Baylor Scott & White Temple) have competitive ladder structures.
APRN track — MSN/DNP → FNP / AGPCNP / AGACNP / CNM / CRNA / PNP. Texas grants APRN prescriptive authority with physician delegation agreement. Full practice authority has been proposed repeatedly but not yet enacted as of 2026.
Travel-staff hybrid — Texas-licensed RNs can travel to any NLC state on their Texas compact license, making TX a strong base for travel-nurse careers.
For-profit vs non-profit trade-off — HCA / Tenet / CHS facilities often pay slightly above non-profit facilities in equivalent roles in exchange for productivity expectations; Magnet non-profits trade slightly lower base pay for stronger clinical-ladder structures and professional-development investment.
Model educational investment ROI at BSN-to-MSN ROI.
Regional Realities — Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Texas has the most favorable cost-of-living-to-RN-pay ratio of any large-population U.S. state:
- High-opportunity markets with manageable cost: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio. Competitive pay (national-median-adjacent) with housing costs well below California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts coastal metros.
- Border / smaller-metro Texas: El Paso, McAllen, Laredo, Waco, Lubbock, Amarillo. Pay ~10-15% below major metros; housing much more affordable.
- Rural and smaller-metro Texas: Wichita Falls, Abilene, Texarkana, Victoria. Pay $70,000–$76,000; housing very affordable; net real purchasing power often strongest here.
Model net purchasing power at RN Salary by State with a Texas cost-of-living overlay.
FAQ
What's the median RN salary in Texas in 2026? BLS OEWS 29-1141 May 2024 release: $87,720 median Texas RN annual wage.1 Mean: $90,390. 90th percentile: $120,690.
Which Texas metro pays the most? Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land: $93,270 median annual (highest TX metro). Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington: $90,760 median. Austin–Round Rock: $88,820.
Is Texas in the Nurse Licensure Compact? Yes. Texas is an original NLC member (joined 2000). RNs with compact multistate licenses from any NLC state can practice in Texas without additional licensure.2
Are there unions in Texas nursing? Minimal. Texas is a right-to-work state with very low RN union density. National Nurses United (NNU) and some local associations have small TX presences, but contract coverage is a tiny fraction of California or New York.
What's the Texas Medical Center? Houston's TMC is the largest medical complex in the world by volume — ~10 million patient visits per year, concentrated across Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, Texas Children's, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Luke's, Ben Taub, and others.3 Concentrates competitive Houston pay.
What does the Texas staffing committee law require? Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 257 requires hospitals to establish Nurse Staffing Committees with at least 60% direct-care RN representation. Committees develop and evaluate staffing plans.4 Not statutory ratios like CA AB 394; committee-driven process similar to NY 2021 law.
How much do Texas travel nurses earn? Weekly gross (2026): $1,700 (med-surg) to $3,000 (CVICU/NICU crisis). Real take-home after TX housing (much more affordable than coastal metros) typically 15–25% below headline — the narrowest gap of any major state.
Is specialty certification worth it in Texas? Yes but differential value is less consistent than California/New York (no union codification). Magnet hospitals pay differentials; Magnet-pursuing hospitals often pay. CCRN/CEN/OCN/CNOR/PCCN/CMSRN/RNC-OB all relevant.
Are public-sector Texas RN jobs competitive? Yes. VA (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, Amarillo, Temple), UT Southwestern (state system), Parkland (Dallas County), University Health (Bexar County), Harris Health (Houston) offer strong pay + pension (TRS, county, federal) + stable work-life structure.
What about CRNA pay in Texas? CRNAs in Texas typically earn $200,000–$350,000 base in 2026; top practice sites reach $400,000+. Texas CRNAs practice under physician supervision (Texas has not adopted full-practice-authority for CRNAs as of 2026).
Sources
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), "29-1141 Registered Nurses," May 2024 data release, Texas state and metro tables. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm and https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm ↩↩↩↩
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NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact — Texas Member State Page. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm ↩↩↩↩
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Texas Medical Center — Institution and Facility Data. https://www.tmc.edu/ ↩↩
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Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 257 — Nurse Staffing. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.257.htm ↩↩
