As a nurse, you should be aware of how much you can earn in Texas. The state imposes higher wage for registered nurses to encourage them to work in this medical specialty. Read on to learn about the details of registered nurses salary in Texas as well as the top paying cities.
Introduction
Of all the exciting professions to pursue in Texas, the registered nursing career is one of the best and most lucrative. The average annual registered nurse salary in Texas is $79,120, which will allow you to earn an excellent living when compared to the state’s overall cost of living. Your job outlook is outstanding in TX, too, with anticipated growth of 9.76% over the next five years. The information below will help you better understand the average salary and outlook associated with working as an RN in TX.
What is the Salary of an RN in Texas?
Starting Salary
Immediately after graduating your registered nursing program and obtaining your licensure, you can earn a starting RN salary in Texas of roughly $59,780 – much more than the starting salary in many other states.
| Type | Average Salary |
| Hourly | $28.74 |
| Monthly | $4,980 |
| Annual | $59,780 |
Average Salary
The average RN pay in Texas for all registered nurses in all cities is $79,120, which is equal to about $38.04 a year. This lucrative salary offers you plenty of opportunity to make an above-average living in the state.
| Type | Average Salary |
| Hourly | $38.04 |
| Monthly | $6,590 |
| Annual | $79,120 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Estimated Total Annual Compensation (Salary + Benefits)
When averaging your registered nurse income in TX, it is also important to think about benefits like insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. RNs in TX receive an average of $33,323 in benefits alone, and that is on top of their salaries.
| Component | Amount |
| Paid Leave | $8,303 |
| Supplemental Pay | $3,927 |
| Insurance | $8,751 |
| Retirement and Savings | $3,815 |
| Legally Required | $8,527 |
| Total Benefits | $33,323 |
| Average Annual Salary | $78,875 |
| Total Compensation | $112,197 |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Percentile Wage Estimates of all RN Workers in TX & Factors That Play a Role
Half of all the RNs in TX earn an RN average salary in TX of anywhere from $62,590 to $93,320 a year depending on factors like experience, location, employer, and specific position. Nurse managers and educators tend to earn more than RNs working directly with patients, and those who have more experience earn far more than those who are just entering the workforce.
In fact, 10% of all the RNs in the state earn less than $59,780, and they are likely inexperienced RNs who work in rural areas or in outpatient care facilities. On the other hand, 10% of all RNs earn more than $99,070 a year, and this represents the more experienced RNs working as managers or educators in highly populated metro areas.
| Percent of RN’s | Number of RN’s | Annual Salary |
| 10% | 21,763 | Under $59,780 |
| 15% | 32,645 | $59,780 – $62,590 |
| 25% | 54,408 | $62,590 – $77,320 |
| 25% | 54,408 | $77,320 – $93,320 |
| 15% | 32,645 | $93,320 – $99,070 |
| 10% | 21,763 | Above $99,070 |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Salary Trend (2017-2021)
Between 2017 and 2021, the average RN salary across the state of Texas grew by a total of 12.40%, which falls in line with the state’s overall cost of living. What’s more, as the number of BSN-educated RNs continues to climb, so does the average pay these nurses receive to compensate them for their enhanced skills and abilities.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | 72,070 | 1,680 | 2.39% |
| 2018 | 72,890 | 820 | 1.14% |
| 2019 | 74,540 | 1,650 | 2.26% |
| 2020 | 76,800 | 2,260 | 3.03% |
| 2021 | 79,120 | 2,320 | 3.02% |
| Overall Growth in Last Five Years | 8,730 | 12.40% | |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Salary Projection (2022-2026)
Between 2022 and 2026, salaries for RNs in Texas are expected to grow by another 13.44%, which is again due in part to the state’s cost of living and the number of RNs returning to school to earn baccalaureate degrees. As more studies show that BSN-educated RNs help drive better patient outcomes, employers increasingly prefer to hire nurses with higher education, and this demands higher pay.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2022 | $80,480 | $1,360 | 1.72% |
| 2023 | $82,450 | $1,970 | 2.45% |
| 2024 | $84,630 | $2,180 | 2.64% |
| 2025 | $86,990 | $2,360 | 2.79% |
| 2026 | $89,750 | $2,760 | 3.17% |
| Overall Growth in Next Five Years | $10,630 | 13.44% | |
| (Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Texas BSN Degree Holders vs ADN Degree Holders – Who Earns More?
To show the impact having a baccalaureate degree can truly make in your salary, consider that ADN-educated RNs in Texas earn an average of $76,530 a year. BSN-educated RNs earn $6,760 a year more at $83,290 a year, on average.
| ADN | BSN | How Much More Does an RN with BSN Earn |
| $76,530 | $83,290 | + $6,760 |
| (Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Texas RN vs National RN
The average annual salary for all RNs across the country is $82,750, and the average salary for Texas RNs is just 4.39% less at $79,120.
| Type | Texas | United States | Difference | |
| Number | % | |||
| Average Hourly Wage | $38.04 | $39.78 | -$1.74 | -4.37% |
| Average Annual Salary | $79,120 | $82,750 | -$3,630 | -4.39% |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
RN Salary vs All Occupations in TX
| Type | Texas | Texas All Occupations | Difference | |
| Number | % | |||
| Average Hourly Wage | $38.04 | 32.94 | +$5.10 | +15.48% |
| Average Annual Salary | $79,120 | $68,510 | + $10,610 | + 15.49% |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
RN Salary vs All Nursing Occupations in TX
$0$40,000$80,000$120,000$160,000$200,000(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018)Nursing AsstantLicensed Practical NurseNursing InstructorRegistered NurseNurse MidwiveNurse PractitionerNurse Anesthetist$27,030$46,990$71,780$72,890$95,900$111,060$158,510
RN Salary vs Similar Healthcare Occupations in TX
$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,000(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018)Medical AssistantEmergency Medical Technicia & ParamedicCardiovascular Technologist and TechnicianDental HygienistDiagnostic Medical SonographerRegistered NurseSocial WorkerOccupational TherapistPhysician Assistant$31,580$36,620$54,550$69,070$71,580$72,890$75,300$89,360$109,590
RN Employment & Pay in Different Healthcare Facilities of TX
Choosing an employer as an RN in Texas can have a huge effect on your salary. Hospitals and Home Health Care centers like urgent care facilities and clinics pay the highest salaries at $81,290 , $74,760 and $88,990, respectively. However, while 125,130 RNs across the state are employed in hospitals, only 9,380 are employed in Nursing Care Facilities. Conversely, even though 14,220 RNs in Texas work in physicians’ offices, they earn a much lower average salary of $70,620 a year. For this reason, it is very important to balance your job opportunities with your salary.
| Industry | Employment | Hourly Salary | Annual Salary |
| Hospitals | 125,130 | $39.09 | $81,290 |
| Physician’s Offices | 14,220 | $33.96 | $70,620 |
| Home Health Care | 12,410 | $35.95 | $74,760 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 10,550 | $42.78 | $88,990 |
| Nursing Care Facilities | 9,380 | $33.22 | $69,090 |
| (Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Registered Nurse Salary in 10 Major Cities of Texas
1. Houston
With a population of roughly 2.32 million people, Houston is home to numerous excellent facilities for RNs to consider for employment. Hospitals like Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Kindred Hospital are all popular RN employers in TX. You can also seek employment in medical centers like The Women’s Hospital of Texas or the St. Luke’s Health Medical center. Houston-based RNs earn $83,890 a year.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $79,060 | $1,530 | 1.97% |
| 2018 | $80,160 | $1,100 | 1.39% |
| 2019 | $81,350 | $1,190 | 1.48% |
| 2020 | $84,960 | $3,610 | 4.44% |
| 2021 | $83,890 | -$1,070 | -1.26% |
2. San Antonio
If you choose to work in San Antonio, you will have your choice of employment available to you – especially once you gain some experience. There are nearly 1.5 million people here, and they are served by hospitals like University Hospital, Methodist Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. St. Francis Nursing Home and Memorial Medical Nursing Center are also big RN employers in the city. On average, you will earn $78,870 a year if you choose to work here.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $68,020 | $1,590 | 2.39% |
| 2018 | $72,270 | $4,250 | 6.25% |
| 2019 | $72,410 | $140 | 0.19% |
| 2020 | $75,110 | $2,700 | 3.73% |
| 2021 | $78,870 | $3,760 | 5.01% |
3. Dallas
You can expect to earn a salary of about $82,260 a year if you work in Dallas, which is home to 1.34 million people. Here, hospitals are still the biggest employer of RNs, and some of the most popular among nurses include the incredibly high-tech Baylor University Medical Center, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, and The Kindred Hospital Dallas Central. You might also choose to work at a facility like The Traymore at Park Cities, which is a long-term care facility.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $74,670 | $1,770 | 2.43% |
| 2018 | $74,140 | -$530 | -0.71% |
| 2019 | $76,740 | $2,600 | 3.51% |
| 2020 | $77,990 | $1,250 | 1.63% |
| 2021 | $82,260 | $4,270 | 5.48% |
4. Austin
RNs who work in Austin, Texas earn $81,430 a year and do their part to provide exemplary healthcare to more than 950,000 people. Places like Cornerstone Hospital of Austin, Ascension Seton Northwest, and St. David’s Children’s Hospital are popular employers here. RNs also work at one of Texas’s largest psychiatric hospitals, Austin Lakes Hospital. Finally, First Choice Emergency Room and other urgent care/express care centers are very popular among the people of Austin, so they employ many RNs in the city, as well.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $68,780 | $1,720 | 2.56% |
| 2018 | $70,260 | $1,480 | 2.15% |
| 2019 | $72,170 | $1,910 | 2.72% |
| 2020 | $73,280 | $1,110 | 1.54% |
| 2021 | $81,430 | $8,150 | 11.12% |
5. Fort Worth
Texas Health has a huge presence in Fort Worth, which means Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest is one of the largest RN employers in the city. Aside from this, you might also choose to seek employment at John Peter Smith Hospital, Cook Children’s Medical Center, or Kindred Hospital Fort Worth. The Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center complex is another option, as is one of the dozens of nursing homes. In Fort Worth, you can earn an average annual salary of $82,260 a year.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $74,670 | $1,770 | 2.43% |
| 2018 | $74,140 | -$530 | -0.71% |
| 2019 | $76,740 | $2,600 | 3.51% |
| 2020 | $77,990 | $1,250 | 1.63% |
| 2021 | $82,260 | $4,270 | 5.48% |
6. El Paso
The 683,577 people who call El Paso home rely upon various facilities to keep them healthy and treat their illnesses and injuries. RNs work in places like The Hospitals of Providence, which is an entire network of facilities catering to different specialties, including pediatrics. Del Sol Medical Center and Kindred Hospital El Paso are also popular employers in this beautiful city. You can expect a salary of $69,240 in El Paso.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $69,120 | $2,910 | 4.40% |
| 2018 | $70,440 | $1,320 | 1.91% |
| 2019 | $74,380 | $3,940 | 5.59% |
| 2020 | $73,100 | -$1,280 | -1.72% |
| 2021 | $69,240 | -$3,860 | -5.28% |
7. Arlington
Arlington, TX is a popular tourist destination thanks to its immortal place in the history books, and about 396,000 people are permanent residents. RNs in Arlington earn $69,240 a year, on average, and most of them work in hospitals such as USMD at Arlington, Texas Heart Health & Vascular Hospital, and Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, among others. The Sundance Behavioral and Mental Health Hospital is also a popular place for RNs.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $69,120 | $2,910 | 4.40% |
| 2018 | $70,440 | $1,320 | 1.91% |
| 2019 | $74,380 | $3,940 | 5.59% |
| 2020 | $73,100 | -$1,280 | -1.72% |
| 2021 | $69,240 | -$3,860 | -5.28% |
8. Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is home to 325,000 people, many of whom are retirees. This means that many RNs in the city work in nursing and rehabilitation homes like Windsor Nursing & Rehab or Woolridge Place. Far more registered nurses are employees of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, the Corpus Christi Medical Center, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and South Texas Surgical Hospital, all of which offer top-notch regional services in their respective fields. You can earn a salary of $73,930 if you choose to work here.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $78,470 | $2,390 | 3.14% |
| 2018 | $64,170 | -$14,300 | -18.22% |
| 2019 | $65,600 | $1,430 | 2.23% |
| 2020 | $66,530 | $930 | 1.42% |
| 2021 | $73,930 | $7,400 | 11.12% |
9. Laredo
Laredo is smaller than many of the other major cities in Texas with a population of just 260,000, and RNs here earn $69,820 a year, on average. Laredo is not as affluent as many other parts of the state and serves numerous people who live well below the poverty line. The Doctors Hospital of Laredo, Laredo Specialty Hospital, and Driscoll Children’s Specialty Center are all excellent choices for RNs who are looking for employment here.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $67,020 | -$10,670 | -13.73% |
| 2018 | $67,370 | $350 | 0.52% |
| 2019 | $73,750 | $6,380 | 9.47% |
| 2020 | $75,210 | $1,460 | 1.98% |
| 2021 | $69,820 | -$5,390 | -7.17% |
Lubbock
Finally, Lubbock, Texas boasts a population of just over 253,000 people and is home to the prestigious Texas Tech University. RNs who work here earn an average annual salary of $72,480 and tend to work in hospitals more than any other type of facility. University Medical Center is one of the biggest RN employers in the area, as is Covenant Hospital and the Lubbock Heart and Surgical Hospital. Raider Ranch assisted living facility, Lubbock Health Care Center, and Lubbock Hospitality House all provide outstanding long-term care and employ a number of RNs, as well.
| Year | Annual Salary | Growth | |
| Number | % | ||
| 2017 | $69,010 | $4,070 | 6.27% |
| 2018 | $70,390 | $1,380 | 2.00% |
| 2019 | $70,090 | -$300 | -0.43% |
| 2020 | $72,030 | $1,940 | 2.77% |
| 2021 | $72,480 | $450 | 0.62% |
Which Texas Cities are Paying Registered Nurses the Most?
The amount of money you can earn as an RN will vary a great deal based on the city in which you work. In Houston, for example, you can earn an average of $84,960 a year, but in Longview, that salary falls to $61,380 a year – a more than $20,000 difference for the same job. This is caused by many factors, but the most influential is the responsibility of taking on a huge case load in bigger metro areas.
Conclusion
Registered nurses are licensed practitioners who help provide crucial care to patients in a wide variety of settings. Generally, they work under the supervision of a doctor or a nurse practitioner. Their day-to-day responsibilities depend on the specialty in which they choose to practice. Some of the most common specialties include ICU, pediatric, and medical-surgical nurses.
