Registered Nurse Salary in Houston, TX: $105,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Houston, TX earns a median $105,131/year (≈ $50.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $106,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, registered nurse salaries are projected to reach a median annual income of $105,131 in 2026, outpacing the national average by 2.34%. With a salary range that spans from $78,835 at the lowest end to $137,366 at the higher spectrum, the compensation environment reflects varying levels of experience and specialization. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. The distinct pay structure between staff and travel nurses illustrates a competitive landscape in which many healthcare facilities continue to seek skilled professionals, as the demand for nursing care remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,835 | $37.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,238 | $41.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,131 | $50.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,160 | $58.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,366 | $66.04 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,531 (2026 est.). At $105,131, the local median is 2.34% above the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Houston median: $105,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,813 | +21.10% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | +2.34% more |
Registered Nurses in Houston, TX earn a median of $105,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% higher than the national median of $102,730 and 21.10% above the Texas state average of $86,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $105,131 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,640
2025 BLS Actual
$99,830
2026 Current Est.
$105,131
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,713 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 23.8% from $80,640 (2019) to $99,830 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,073 (37.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,835 – $86,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,238 – $105,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,131 – $122,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,160 – $137,366 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Houston
The job market for registered nurses in Houston remains strong, with approximately 65,910 nurses employed locally, creating a diverse employment environment. The cost of living index in Houston stands at 98.629, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries and allows nurses to stretch their income further compared to other high-cost urban areas. Notably, larger hospital systems, particularly those with magnet status, often offer higher salaries and opportunities for specialized roles in critical care or surgical units. Factors that contribute to salary disparities include shift differentials, night and weekend pay enhancements, and additional stipends for certifications. To maximize earnings, nurses should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seeking positions in sectors that offer additional pay for high-demand specialties, thereby enhancing their registered nurse pay in Houston, TX.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,830 for registered nursesin the Houston metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov