This guide to registered nurse pay in Texas presents valuable financial information for RNs in the state. Let’s start with average wages throughout Texas:
This resource provides publicly available information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the MIT Living Wage Calculator about average RN salaries, employment, location quotient, and living wage in Texas (most recent information as of December 2023). While Nursa currently offers independent contractor RNs 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 RN Salary in Texas?
The mean RN wage in Texas is $84,320 per year or $40.54 per hour, which is lower than the national mean wage of $89,010 annually and $42.80 per hour.
Although income for nurses in Texas is generally lower than the national average, nurse pay is variable; not all RNs in Texas earn precisely the same wage. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) divides the typical range of RN mean wages in Texas into the following percentiles:
- 90th percentile: $105,270
- 75th percentile: $96,230
- 50th percentile: $79,830
- 25th percentile: $66,810
- 10th percentile: $61,950
These averages show that 80 percent of RNs in Texas earn between $61,950 and $105,270 per year. Only 10 percent of RNs make above $105,270, and 10 percent make less than $61,950.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Texas?
Whereas the average registered nurse income in Texas typically ranges from $61,950 to $105,270, nationally, the average registered nurse income typically ranges from $61,250 to $129,400.
Below is a table detailing the mean RN wage in the states surrounding Texas and the difference with the average pay for this state:
As can be seen, Texas has a higher mean RN wage than Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas, falling below New Mexico only by $1,260. Overall, RNs in Texas have competitive pay for the area.
What are the Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Texas?
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.
As we can see in the table, some of the highest-paying cities for RNs in Texas are The Woodlands and Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Conroe, and Houston. However, per diem jobs offer such competitive rates that any location can potentially be a high-paying city for RNs. Below is a list of cities with per diem jobs offering high rates for registered nurses:
- PRN RN jobs in San Antonio
- PRN RN jobs in Dallas
- PRN RN jobs in Houston
- PRN RN jobs in Fort Worth
- PRN RN jobs in Austin
- PRN RN jobs in Irving
- PRN RN jobs in Arlington
- PRN RN jobs in Laredo
- PRN RN jobs in Corpus Christi
- PRN RN jobs in El Paso
How Can I Earn More as a Registered Nurse in Texas?
Earning more per hour as a registered nurse is possible and straightforward. As mentioned, per diem shifts generally offer significantly higher hourly pay than staff positions. For this reason, many RNs choose to pick up these jobs on the side or even full-time. Of course, many other factors influence earnings, such as the following:
- Location: As we have seen, the city or town you live in can significantly influence your potential earnings.
- Type of facility: In any given city, the specific setting you work in can also affect your income. For example, RNs in nursing homes typically earn less than RNs in hospitals.
- Specialization: RNs with experience in specialized areas, like the intensive care unit (ICU) or the emergency room (ER), can often find higher-paying jobs than registered nurses without this experience.
What Is the Cost of Living in Texas?
The cost of living in Texas depends on many factors and is different for each type of household. Here are some cost of living considerations for Texas:
In Texas, registered nurses generally earn more than the basic living wage. Based on the previous data, they even earn enough to support a family of three on one source of income. However, RNs can make even higher hourly wages with Nursa, which helps per diem clinicians connect with healthcare facilities that need coverage.
How Many RNs Are There in Texas?
According to the BLS, there are 231,060 registered nurses employed in Texas—or 17.78 RNs per 1,000 jobs. Although this number may seem high, there is a lower concentration of RNs in Texas than the national average. Whereas the location quotient of RNs nationwide equals one, the LQ in Texas is 0.86.
How to Become an RN in Texas?
With certain considerations, to obtain a Texas RN license, applicants must complete the following steps:
- Complete an RN nursing program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.
- Complete a criminal background check.
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
After completing these steps, aspiring RNs can apply for licensure and typically begin their nursing careers.
Here are some of the top nursing schools in Texas:
- University of Texas at Austin
- Schreiner University
- Texas Christian University
- Texas A&M University
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Texas Woman’s University
- University of Texas at Tyler
If you are already an RN, here is the Texas RN license verification portal, where you can check the status of your license.
How Can I Find Per Diem Independent Contractor Jobs near Me?
Finding registered nursing jobs in Texas is easy with the help of Nursa. To find jobs near you, all you need to do is download the application, create an account with your RN credentials, and search for per diem jobs near you. Licensed vocational nurse (LVN), certified nursing assistant (CNA), and RN jobs in Texas are plentiful, as healthcare facilities are constantly looking for nurses and nursing assistants. Browse available per diem RN jobs in Texas today.
