2026 Salary — Texas
Updated April 29, 2026
Registered Nurse Salary in Texas: $88K Median
Registered Nurses in Texas earn between $65K and $135K per year.
That's +2% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Registered Nurse salary in Texas is $87,791 per year — +2% above the US national median of $86,070. Salaries range from $64,994 (entry, 25th percentile) to $135,334 (90th percentile). Texas's cost-of-living index is 93. Texas has no state income tax.
Median
$87,791
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$66,300
Experienced
$107,100
Top 10%
$135,334
About Registered Nurses in Texas
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and educate patients about health conditions.
Hot 2026 Skills
TelehealthEpic EHRBSN credentialSpecialty certificationsNLC compact license
ATS Keywords
patient caremedication administrationEHR (Epic, Cerner)critical thinkingBLSIV therapypatient education
Registered Nurse Salary in Texas Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Houston | $90,374 |
| Dallas | $90,374 |
| Austin | $98,980 |
| San Antonio | $80,045 |
| Fort Worth | $87,791 |
| El Paso | $73,160 |
| Arlington | $86,070 |
How to Negotiate Your Registered Nurse Salary in Texas
Walk-away anchor: $79,810.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Registered Nurse Salary FAQ — Texas
What is the average Registered Nurse salary in Texas?
The average Registered Nurse salary in Texas is $87,791 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $64,994 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $135,334 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Registered Nurse pay in Texas compare to the US average?
Registered Nurses in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($86,070 nationally vs $87,791 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Registered Nurse salaries in Texas increase in 2026?
Yes — Registered Nurse salaries in Texas grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,302 in 2025 to $87,791 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth and Epic EHR demand.
Which Texas cities pay Registered Nurses the most?
Top-paying Texas metros for Registered Nurses: Houston ($90K), Dallas ($90K), Austin ($99K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Registered Nurses in Texas?
RN employment projected to grow 6% through 2034, with 194,500 openings annually. Chronic shortage continues, driving competitive salaries and signing bonuses. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Texas have state income tax?
No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $87,791, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Registered Nurses in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth, Epic EHR, BSN credential, Specialty certifications, NLC compact license. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Texas employers.
How can I increase my Registered Nurse salary in Texas?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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%). Walk-away anchor for Texas: $79,810.
Methodology
Texas Registered Nurse salary is the BLS national median ($86,070) adjusted by Texas's state multiplier (1.02×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Registered Nurse Salary in Other States
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