What RNs earn in Houston
Registered nurses in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro earn a median of $99,830 a year, 2% above the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $81,890 and $116,000, so experience, specialty and shift differentials can move you a long way inside that range. Among the 60 metro markets The RN Network tracks, Houston ranks #23 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,830 | $81,890 – $116,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,560 | $116,500 – $143,680 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $275,310 | $220,840 – $323,790 |
| Nurse Midwife | $129,280 | $112,610 – $149,040 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
What a Houston RN actually takes home
Here is the part most pay comparisons miss. Texas does not tax wages, so the state takes nothing out of your paycheck. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare still come out the same way they do in every state, but there is no second income tax stacked on top.
At the Houston median of $99,830, every 1% of state income tax you would pay somewhere else is about $998 a year that stays with you here. In a state with a 5% income tax, that adds up to roughly $4,992 a year, or about $416 a month. To match a Houston paycheck at the median, a job in that state would need to pay about $105,084.
Compare offers on take-home pay, not on the number at the top of the offer letter.
Cost of living and the Houston nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $1,573 a month in Houston, which is roughly 19% of a median RN salary before taxes. That leaves RNs here more room in the budget than in most big nursing markets.
About 65,910 RNs work in this metro, the #6 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 350 healthcare employers in Houston, Pasadena and The Woodlands, including 105 dialysis centers, 91 behavioral health facilities, 72 long-term care facilities and 46 outpatient surgery centers.
Hospitals hiring nurses in Houston
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in Houston
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Career advice for Houston nurses
Watch the latest episode of Nursing Matters, the show that helps nurses find the right job, land the offer and grow their careers.
You Passed the NCLEX. Can You Lose This License? Nursing Matters Episode 102626
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Read the article →Common questions about nursing in Houston
How much do registered nurses make in Houston?
The median RN salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro is $99,830 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $81,890 and $116,000.
What do nurse practitioners earn in Houston?
Nurse practitioners in the Houston metro earn a median of $134,560 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in Houston?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $1,573 a month in Houston, roughly 19% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in Houston?
Hospitals in the Houston area include Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Methodist the Woodlands Hospital, Houston Methodist West Hospital, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Houston VA Medical Center. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
Does Texas have a state income tax on nurse pay?
No. Texas does not tax wages, so no state income tax comes out of an RN paycheck in Houston. Federal income tax and Social Security and Medicare still apply. At the Houston median RN salary, every 1% of state income tax you would pay elsewhere is about $998 a year that stays in your pocket here.
How do I find a nursing job in Houston?
Browse current Texas openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in Houston can find you, and compare pay using the Texas salary guide.