In this resource guide, you will find information about certified nursing assistant (CNA) pay in Texas, including topics such as average income, pay per hour and by region, and CNA and PCT jobs in Texas. Dive right in by finding your city in the table below:
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average CNA salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Texas (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor CNAs in Texas the opportunity to access per diem jobs that pay on an hourly basis rather than access to salaried or wage-based employment opportunities, this information may be a helpful frame of reference for you as you assess the market landscape both in regard to per diem jobs and employment opportunities.
What's the Average CNA Salary in the State of Texas?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following are the mean wages for CNAs in Texas and nationally.
- Nationwide: CNAs make $17.41 per hour or $36,220 annually.
- Texas: CNAs make $15.46 per hour or $32,150 annually.
Of course, nurse pay in Texas can be much higher—and much lower—than the average.
The following percentiles indicate the typical range of CNA wages in Texas:
- 90th percentile: $39,500
- 75th percentile: $35,300
- 50th percentile: $30,860
- 25th percentile: $28,770
- 10th percentile: $26,500
As we can see, typically, only 10 percent of CNAs in Texas earn more than $39,500, while the rest earn below this figure. Likewise, only 10 percent of CNAs earn less than $26,500 annually, and 90 percent make more.
How Can I Earn More as a CNA in Texas?
First, it is vital to understand the factors that influence CNA income. These factors include the specific city or town CNAs work in and the setting—nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, etc.
Secondly, in Texas, there are plentiful PRN or per diem jobs, allowing CNAs to receive higher pay and choose their shifts and schedules. Contracting per diem CNAs allows healthcare facilities to have enough nursing assistants to cover care needs, relieving them of a lot of stress. Therefore, this kind of job offers a win-win situation for clinicians and facilities. Here are some of the many cities in Texas offering high-paying per diem nurse assistant jobs:
- PRN CNA jobs in Dallas
- PRN CNA jobs in Houston
- PRN CNA jobs in Fort Worth
- PRN CNA jobs in Austin
- PRN CNA jobs in Irving
- PRN CNA jobs in Arlington
- PRN CNA jobs in Laredo
- PRN CNA jobs in Corpus Christi
- PRN CNA jobs in El Paso
- PRN CNA jobs in San Antonio
These are just a few of the cities in Texas offering per diem shifts for CNAs. Texas has a high demand for nurses and nursing assistants, so high-paying PRN shifts are generally available for CNAs, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and registered nurses (RNs). What are you waiting for? Start your job search today.
How Much Do Nursing Assistants Make in Texas?
The following table provides mean wage data for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana and compares these wages to the mean certified nursing assistant wage in Texas:
Overall, it is essential to note that CNAs have a high wage for the region, second only to New Mexico.
How Much Do CNAs Make in Texas per Hour?
Although the average CNA wage in Texas is $15.46 per hour, hourly wages vary widely from region to region. However, so does the cost of living. With this in mind, read on to learn how much you must make per hour to make ends meet in this state.
What Is the Cost of Living in Texas?
In the following table, we present some cost of living considerations for Texas:
*Click here for more detailed living wage information for your particular city or town.
As we can see in the table, the mean CNA hourly wage is generally insufficient to cover the basic expenses of a single adult—much less of a CNA with children or other dependents.
Consequently, nursing assistants must look for alternative ways to improve their hourly earnings. Nursa connects you with high-paying jobs in Texas, allowing you, as a CNA, to have some breathing room and live more comfortably.
Location Quotient and Employment in Texas for CNAs
Knowing how much you can earn in Texas may help you choose the best option when considering independent contractor work or applying for salaried or wage-based employment.
Additionally, it is good to remember that there is a significant demand for nursing professionals in Texas. According to the BLS, 81,170 nursing assistants work in Texas, translating to 6.24 CNAs per 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, the location quotient of CNAs in Texas is 0.71. Since the national location quotient is one, this figure indicates a lower concentration of CNAs than the national level.
Healthcare facilities need to cover more shifts when faced with a shortage of nurses and nursing assistants. Consequently, more per diem shifts are available, allowing you to find excellent short-term jobs near you.
How Can I Become a CNA in Texas?
The first step to becoming a CNA is to complete a training program. Here are some schools offering CNA classes in Texas:
- St Phillips College
- Amarillo College
- Alvin Community College
- Dallas College
- South Texas College
Once you have completed a CNA course, you typically must do the following:
- Pass the state CNA exam.
- Take a criminal background check.
- Get a CNA license to start working (with certain considerations).
Additionally, nursing assistants can look up the status of their CNA license with the Texas Board of Nursing here.
What Are PCT Jobs in Texas?
Patient care techs (PCTs) are healthcare professionals who perform duties similar to those of CNAs. As with nurses and nursing assistants, patient care technicians are in high demand in Texas and throughout the US.
How Can I Find Per Diem Independent Contractor Jobs near Me?
Use Nursa to find CNA jobs in hospitals and many other healthcare settings. Nursa connects you with per diem jobs near you. With this open healthcare marketplace, CNAs can earn higher hourly pay and enjoy greater flexibility and work-life balance—not to mention the convenience of doing it all on the go. Download Nursa today and pick up your first shift.
