RN Salary by Role in Texas
RN Pay by Metro in Texas
Where you work inside Texas moves your paycheck. Here is what registered nurses earn in each major Texas market, compared with the national RN median of $97,550. Tap a metro for hospitals, openings and cost of living.
| Metro | Median RN pay | Typical range | NP median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $101,420 | $81,640 – $110,630 | $130,980 |
| Houston | $99,830 | $81,890 – $116,000 | $134,560 |
| Austin | $97,890 | $81,540 – $106,450 | $128,050 |
| San Antonio | $94,370 | $78,100 – $100,760 | $131,770 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
About RN Pay in Texas
RN salaries in Texas sit close to the national average, with staff nurses earning around $77,000 a year.
Pay climbs steadily with experience and responsibility. New grad RNs in Texas typically start around $56,000, while nurses who move into specialty units like the ICU, ER, or OR can expect closer to $87,000. Stepping into leadership pays off too — nurse managers average around $97,000, directors of nursing around $112,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $133,000 or more. Nurses who pursue advanced practice (NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM) report average earnings near $97,000.
Texas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate RN or LPN license issued here is valid for practice in other compact states — useful for travel nursing, telehealth, or relocating without re-licensing.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Know your number, then get matched with roles that pay it.
Claim My Free Talent Agent Profile