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2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in Austin: $99K Median

Registered Nurses in Austin, TX earn between $73K and $153K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Austin, TX is $98,980 per year — +15% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $73,278 (entry, 25th percentile) to $152,582 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Austin earned approximately $14,997 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$98,980
+560.0% YoY · $8,248/mo
Entry
$74,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$120,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$152,582
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$99K
Houston
$90K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$80K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$90K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Austin

Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment and care planning
  • Medication administration
  • Wound care and clinical procedures
  • Patient and family education
  • Care coordination with physicians

Education & Certifications

Typical path: BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN

In-demand certifications

NCLEX-RNBLS/ACLSCCRN (critical care)CNOR (perioperative)Compact Nursing License

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

HCA Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
CommonSpirit Health
Veterans Health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Registered Nurse listings.

TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses.

Registered Nurse Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$73,278$98,980$152,582
Monthly$6,107$8,248$12,715
Weekly$1,409$1,903$2,934
Hourly$35$48$73

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,930.43
Per month$6,494
Biweekly paycheck$2,997
Effective tax rate21.3%

Tax Breakdown on $98,980

Gross salary$98,980
Federal income tax−$13,477.6
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,571.97
Take-home (net)$77,930.43

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Registered Nurse Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$68,770
2–3 yr$74,750
4–6 yr$97,750
7–10 yr$120,750
11–15 yr$142,485
15+ yr$136,666

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,997
2026 median:$98,980
Change:+$83,983

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth and Epic EHR.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$83,176
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $89,982 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
  • Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
  • Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items?"

Anchor on $121K–$153K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Austin, TX?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Austin is $98,980 per year as of April 2026 — $8,248/month, $1,903/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $73,278 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $152,582 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $98,980 a good Registered Nurse salary in Austin?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $98,980 a real purchasing power of approximately $83,176 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $98,980 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $98,980 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $98,980 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $98,980 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $98,980 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $98,980 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $98,980 each ($197,960 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $98,980 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $98,980 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Austin. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Austin?
On a $98,980 Registered Nurse salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $77,930.43 per year ($6,494/month, $2,997 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,477.6, state $0, FICA $7,571.97. Effective tax rate: 21.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Austin earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $98,980 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $83,176 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Austin?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Austin typically start at around $74,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $120,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $152,582+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Austin grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,997 in 2025 to $98,980 in 2026 (+$83,983). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Austin?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Registered Nurses are: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Austin?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Austin include: HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, CommonSpirit Health, Veterans Health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Registered Nurse salary in Austin?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare negotiations: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., NCLEX-RN or BLS/ACLS). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Registered Nurse in Austin?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Registered Nurse salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

Nurse Practitioner →Pharmacist →Physical Therapist →Occupational Therapist →Physician →Dentist →

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$90KSan Antonio, TX$80KSan Diego, CA$102KDallas, TX$90KFort Worth, TX$88KDenver, CO$95KEl Paso, TX$73KPortland, OR$95K

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