Registered nurses in Texas earn between $67,120 at the 10th percentile and $127,950 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $79,170 at the 25th percentile and $105,100 at the 75th percentile, which is the range most employers will find relevant when setting offers for candidates with moderate to strong experience. Use the seniority and specialization of your specific role to decide where within that band to anchor your offer.
Registered nurse salary in Texas (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Texas is $95,380 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $95,970 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Texas employs 271,380 registered nurses, and the $610 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Texas typically earn around $67,120, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $127,950 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Texas, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $95,970 |
Average Annual Salary | $95,380 |
vs. National Average | 6.0% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 271,380 employed registered nurses across Texas.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Texas
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $67,120 |
25th Percentile | $79,170 |
75th Percentile | $105,100 |
90th Percentile | $127,950 |
Employers setting offers for registered nurses in Texas should expect a wide range depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall near $67,120, while experienced specialists in senior roles reach $127,950 or beyond, giving you a practical budgeting span of roughly $60,000 across the full candidate pool.
Registered nurse salary by city in Texas
City | Average Annual Salary |
Dallas | $100,820 |
Houston | $100,290 |
Austin | $97,610 |
San Antonio | $93,760 |
El Paso | $88,420 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a registered nurse in Texas, so employers should adjust compensation benchmarks to the specific metro where the role sits. Dallas leads at $100,820 and El Paso sits at the lower end at $88,420, a spread of more than $12,000 that can shift your budget significantly. Roles in San Antonio and El Paso allow for lower anchoring, while Dallas and Houston hiring requires offers closer to or above the statewide mean.
How Texas compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Texas | $95,380 | $95,970 |
California | $150,280 | $140,270 |
New York | $113,440 | $109,440 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Illinois | $94,360 | $95,990 |
Florida | $90,650 | $84,190 |
Texas is a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring relative to California and New York, which makes it a practical location for employers managing labor budgets. Texas sits at $95,380 mean versus California's $150,280 and New York's $113,440, while Georgia at $95,080 and Illinois at $94,360 are nearly identical to Texas. Employers competing for talent across Texas, Georgia, and Illinois should expect similar compensation expectations and can use consistent offer frameworks across those markets.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Texas
What is the salary range for a registered nurse in Texas?
How does Texas compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Texas pays registered nurses 6.0% below the national mean of $101,420, with a statewide mean of $95,380. Compared to peer states, Texas is closely aligned with Georgia at $95,080 and Illinois at $94,360, and sits above Florida at $90,650. Employers in Texas can expect to pay less than counterparts in California or New York but should budget similarly to those hiring in Georgia or Illinois.
What do the top-earning registered nurses make in Texas?
Registered nurses at the 90th percentile in Texas earn $127,950 per year. Senior specialists in high-demand settings or with advanced certifications are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. When competing for top-tier talent in Texas, plan for offers that approach or exceed $127,950 and factor in the specific specialization and market of the role.
What is the average registered nurse salary in Texas?
The average registered nurse salary in Texas is $95,380 per year, with a median of $95,970. The close alignment between the mean and median in Texas indicates a relatively balanced distribution without extreme outliers pulling the average far from the center. For most hiring decisions, either figure serves as a reliable anchor, though the median of $95,970 is the safer starting point for mid-level roles.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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