worthsay

Nursing Salary in Texas: Is It a Good Career?

Texas · 2026 BLS salary data

Nursing pay in Texas

The median wage is $95,970/yr — 2% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Texasranks #22 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Texas

Real BLS state-level figures for Nursing.

Median salary
$95,970/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$79,170 – $105,100
National median
$97,550/yr
Employed in Texas
271,380

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Texas

Salary alone can mislead — Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
97.1
Nominal median
$95,970
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $98,836
State income tax
None

Because Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #14 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #22 on raw salary.

Texas levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do nursing professionals make in Texas?

The median annual wage is $95,970 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $79,170 and $105,100. That's 2% below the national median.

Is Texas a good state for nursing?

By raw pay, Texas ranks #22 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $98,836. Because Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #14 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #22 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are nursing professionals in demand in Texas?

About 271,380 people work in this field in Texas (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nursing nationally — Texas pay is 2% below the national median. See the full Nursing career guide →

The verdict

Yes for most people — nursing pays well above the U.S. median with strong job security, but it costs you nights, weekends, and physical/emotional strain. Worth it if you want stable demand and can handle the hours; not if you need a 9-to-5 desk job.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Pay well above the U.S. median wage
  • Strong, recession-resistant demand (aging population)
  • Portable license — jobs in every city and specialty
  • Clear ladder: RN → BSN → NP with big pay jumps
  • Entry in ~2-4 years, far cheaper than med school

Cons

  • 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
  • Physically demanding and emotionally draining
  • High burnout rates, especially post-pandemic
  • Exposure to illness, trauma, and difficult patients
  • Understaffing is common and worsening in many hospitals

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who want stability and are comfortable in high-stakes settings
  • Those who prefer hands-on, human-facing work over a desk
  • Anyone wanting a fast, affordable route to a strong salary

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who need fixed weekday hours
  • Those who struggle with high-stress or high-emotion environments
  • Anyone squeamish around blood, bodily fluids, or death

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nursing is worth it — titles link to the original threads.