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2026 Salary Data — El Paso, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Registered Nurse Salary in El Paso: $73K Median

Registered Nurses in El Paso, TX earn between $54K and $113K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in El Paso, TX is $73,160 per year — -15% below the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $54,162 (entry, 25th percentile) to $112,778 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in El Paso earned approximately $11,085 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$73,160
+560.0% YoY · $6,097/mo
Entry
$55,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$89,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$112,778
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — El Paso vs Nearby
El Paso
$73K
Houston
$90K
-19% vs El Paso
San Antonio
$80K
-9% vs El Paso
Dallas
$90K
-19% vs El Paso

Free ATS scan · El Paso employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in El Paso

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

El Paso Job Market

Border region hub with strong military and manufacturing presence.

Population
678K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.5%
Median Home
$215K

Top Industries in El Paso

MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in El Paso 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 — El Paso

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$54,162$73,160$112,778
Monthly$4,514$6,097$9,398
Weekly$1,042$1,407$2,169
Hourly$26$35$54

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in El Paso

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$59,766.06
Per month$4,981
Biweekly paycheck$2,299
Effective tax rate18.3%

Tax Breakdown on $73,160

Gross salary$73,160
Federal income tax−$7,797.2
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,596.74
Take-home (net)$59,766.06

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 — El Paso

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in El Paso.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$50,830
2–3 yr$55,250
4–6 yr$72,250
7–10 yr$89,250
11–15 yr$105,315
15+ yr$101,014

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for El Paso's 0.85× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$11,085
2026 median:$73,160
Change:+$62,075

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
$85,070
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in El Paso

Walk-away anchor: $66,509 (offers below this are below market for El Paso).

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 $89K–$113K for experienced roles, citing El Paso market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — El Paso

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in El Paso, TX?
The average Registered Nurse salary in El Paso is $73,160 per year as of April 2026 — $6,097/month, $1,407/week, or about $35/hour. Salaries range from $54,162 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $112,778 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier (0.85×).
Is $73,160 a good Registered Nurse salary in El Paso?
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. El Paso's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $73,160 a real purchasing power of approximately $85,070 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $73,160 in El Paso?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For El Paso specifically (median home price $215,000), a $73,160 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $73,160 enough for a single person in El Paso?
A single adult in El Paso typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $73,160 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $73,160 enough for a couple in El Paso?
A couple (one earner) in El Paso typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $73,160 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $73,160 each ($146,320 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $73,160 enough for a family of 4 in El Paso?
A family of 4 (one earner) in El Paso typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $73,160 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 El Paso. Childcare costs in El Paso typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in El Paso?
On a $73,160 Registered Nurse salary in El Paso, TX, you take home approximately $59,766.06 per year ($4,981/month, $2,299 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $7,797.2, state $0, FICA $5,596.74. Effective tax rate: 18.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in El Paso earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in El Paso earn approximately 15% less than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $73,160 in El Paso). However, El Paso's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $85,070 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in El Paso?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in El Paso typically start at around $55,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $89,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $112,778+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in El Paso increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in El Paso grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $11,085 in 2025 to $73,160 in 2026 (+$62,075). 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 El Paso?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. El Paso's top industries include Military, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 El Paso.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in El Paso?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near El Paso 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 El Paso?
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 El Paso?
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 El Paso?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, El Paso'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 El Paso are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by El Paso's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.85× — 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 El Paso

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

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$90KSan Antonio, TX$80KDallas, TX$90KAustin, TX$99KFort Worth, TX$88KMemphis, TN$76KOklahoma City, OK$76KTulsa, OK$76K

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