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

Registered Nurse Salary in Houston: $90K Median

Registered Nurses in Houston, TX earn between $67K and $139K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $86,070 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Houston, TX is $90,374 per year — +5% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,314 (90th percentile). Registered Nurses in Houston earned approximately $13,693 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$90,374
+560.0% YoY · $7,531/mo
Entry
$68,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$139,314
Senior/lead
Registered Nurse Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$90K
San Antonio
$80K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$90K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$99K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Registered Nurses in Houston

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

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses

Major employers active in Houston 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 — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$66,906$90,374$139,314
Monthly$5,576$7,531$11,610
Weekly$1,287$1,738$2,679
Hourly$32$43$67

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($86,070) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Registered Nurse Take-Home Pay in Houston

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$71,876.109
Per month$5,990
Biweekly paycheck$2,764
Effective tax rate20.5%

Tax Breakdown on $90,374

Gross salary$90,374
Federal income tax−$11,584.28
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,913.611
Take-home (net)$71,876.109

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 — Houston

Career-stage progression for Registered Nurses in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,790
2–3 yr$68,250
4–6 yr$89,250
7–10 yr$110,250
11–15 yr$130,095
15+ yr$124,782

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,693
2026 median:$90,374
Change:+$76,681

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
$94,140
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Houston

Walk-away anchor: $82,158 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

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 $110K–$139K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific Telehealth/Epic EHR expertise.

Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Houston, TX?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Houston is $90,374 per year as of April 2026 — $7,531/month, $1,738/week, or about $43/hour. Salaries range from $66,906 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,314 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $90,374 a good Registered Nurse salary in Houston?
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. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $90,374 a real purchasing power of approximately $94,140 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $90,374 in Houston?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $90,374 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $90,374 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $90,374 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $90,374 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $90,374 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $90,374 each ($180,748 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $90,374 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $90,374 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 Houston. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Registered Nurse in Houston?
On a $90,374 Registered Nurse salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $71,876.109 per year ($5,990/month, $2,764 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,584.28, state $0, FICA $6,913.611. Effective tax rate: 20.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Registered Nurses in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($86,070 nationally vs $90,374 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $94,140 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Registered Nurse earn in Houston?
Entry-level Registered Nurses in Houston typically start at around $68,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Registered Nurses earn $110,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $139,314+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Houston grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,693 in 2025 to $90,374 in 2026 (+$76,681). 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 Houston?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Registered Nurses in Houston?
Top employers hiring Registered Nurses in or near Houston 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 Houston?
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 Houston?
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 Houston?
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) increasingly preferred over ADN is the typical path. However, Houston'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 Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($86,070) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — 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 Houston

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

Registered Nurse Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$90KPhiladelphia, PA$90KSan Antonio, TX$80KDallas, TX$90KAustin, TX$99KFort Worth, TX$88KCharlotte, NC$88KEl Paso, TX$73K

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