[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whether you want to work in offbeat Austin, big cities like Houston or Dallas, or in rural nursing, the demand for registered nurses (RNs) in Texas is high, and the cost of living is below average.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide outlines RN salary ranges in Texas, where salaries are highest, and what other healthcare professionals earn. Keep reading for the information you need to negotiate your salary and plan for your career.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Average RN Salaries in Texas[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/texas/”]Texas[/hen-ui-link] is home to myriad healthcare employers, from massive hospitals and health systems in the major cities to small rural clinics. RNs earn a median $79,120, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is lower than the national average of $82,750, but the cost-of-living index in Texas is 99.5, 0.5% lower than the national average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Experience, responsibilities, certifications, local cost of living, demand, and type of employer are some of the most important factors in determining salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table]Texas RN Salary Range[hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Percentile[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Annual RN Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Hourly RN Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentile”]10%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual RN Salary”]$59,780[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Hourly RN Salary”]$28.74[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentile”]25%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual RN Salary”]$62,590[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Hourly RN Salary”]$30.09[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentile”]50% (Median)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual RN Salary”]$77,320[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Hourly RN Salary”]$37.17[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentile”]75%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual RN Salary”]$93,320[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Hourly RN Salary”]$44.87[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Percentile”]90%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Annual RN Salary”]$99,070[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Hourly RN Salary”]$47.63[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ align=”right”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source:[/hen-ui-text] BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Texas RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The real value of a salary offer depends on the local cost of living. Cost-of-living adjustments are based on how much typical goods and services cost in an area. These calculations include housing, food, medical care, transportation, recreation, and utilities. Of course, for a big state like Texas, the cost of living varies, with popular or big cities like San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, or Austin costing more.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Since the Texas cost-of-living index is 99.5, 0.5% lower than the national average, that is the equivalent of a 0.5% higher salary. This average RN salary in Texas is $79,516, after adjusting for the cost of living.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Texas[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Houston and Dallas are the highest-paying cities for RNs, offering major healthcare systems and excellent recreation, dining, and entertainment options. In addition, the city of Austin is becoming a technology hub. The resulting population growth has increased the demand for nurses and RN salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a regional population of almost 500,000, Killeen – Temple rounds up the top five highest-paying urban areas. Nearby Fort Hood, the local military base, is the primary employer and driver of economic growth.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table]Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Texas[hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]City[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average RN Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”City”]Houston — The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average RN Salary”]$83,890[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”City”]Dallas-Fort Worth — Arlington, TX[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average RN Salary”]$82,260[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”City”]Austin — Round Rock, TX[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average RN Salary”]$81,430[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”City”]San Antonio — New Braunfels, TX[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average RN Salary”]$78,870[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”City”]Killeen — Temple, TX[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average RN Salary”]$77,350[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ align=”right”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source:[/hen-ui-text] BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Texas[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are unsure about [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]becoming an RN[/hen-ui-link] in Texas, you can begin your career as a nursing assistant or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). (Note: Texas and California use the term “licensed vocational nurse,” while other states use “licensed practical nurse.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While nursing assistants and LVNs make considerably less money, it is easier and faster to earn this credential than it is an RN. Starting your nursing career with an LVN can give you valuable experience necessary when becoming an RN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Similarly, if you want to earn more than the typical RN salary Texas employers offer, consider earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/”]master of science in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN) and becoming a nurse practitioner. For an even higher salary, consider earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/dnp//”]doctor of nursing practice[/hen-ui-link] (DNP) and becoming a nurse anesthetist after you earn your RN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34343,33915,34204″][/hen-ui-article-row]