The Short Answer
Texas travel nurse pay rates for 2026. No state income tax, competitive stipends ($1,800-$2,600/week), and top-paying cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Read the full breakdown below for detailed analysis, examples, and actionable steps.
Texas is one of the most popular destinations for travel nurses—and for good reason. Zero state income tax combined with a lower cost of living means more money in your pocket, even if the gross pay looks lower than coastal states.
Why Texas for Travel Nursing?
The tax advantage is real. A travel nurse earning $130,000/year in Texas keeps approximately $5,000-$8,000 more than the same nurse earning the same amount in California (which has 9-13% state tax).
Add in lower housing costs, and Texas often delivers the highest net take-home pay in the country.
Current Texas Travel Nurse Pay Rates (2026)
| Specialty | Hourly Rate | Weekly Stipend | Blended Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU/Critical Care | $45-$62 | $1,800-$2,400 | $65-$82/hr |
| ER/Emergency | $44-$60 | $1,800-$2,400 | $64-$80/hr |
| Med-Surg | $38-$52 | $1,600-$2,100 | $55-$70/hr |
| L&D/Labor & Delivery | $44-$60 | $1,800-$2,400 | $64-$80/hr |
| OR/Surgical | $46-$65 | $1,900-$2,500 | $68-$85/hr |
| NICU | $44-$58 | $1,800-$2,300 | $64-$78/hr |
| Telemetry | $40-$54 | $1,700-$2,200 | $58-$72/hr |
| PACU | $44-$60 | $1,800-$2,400 | $64-$80/hr |
Top-Paying Texas Cities
Houston Metro
Texas’s largest medical hub with the renowned Texas Medical Center.
- Average blended rate: $68-$82/hr
- Housing stipend: $1,900-$2,500/week
- Top facilities: MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann
- Housing costs: $1,200-$1,800/month for furnished apartments
- Stipend profit potential: $800-$1,400/week tax-free
Dallas-Fort Worth
Massive healthcare market with multiple major hospital systems.
- Average blended rate: $65-$80/hr
- Housing stipend: $1,800-$2,400/week
- Top facilities: Baylor, UT Southwestern, Parkland
- Housing costs: $1,300-$2,000/month
- Stipend profit potential: $600-$1,200/week tax-free
Austin
Growing tech hub with expanding healthcare needs.
- Average blended rate: $65-$78/hr
- Housing stipend: $1,900-$2,500/week
- Top facilities: Dell Seton, St. David’s, Ascension
- Housing costs: $1,500-$2,200/month (higher than Dallas/Houston)
- Stipend profit potential: $500-$1,100/week tax-free
San Antonio
Military presence creates steady demand.
- Average blended rate: $62-$75/hr
- Housing stipend: $1,700-$2,200/week
- Top facilities: University Health, Methodist Healthcare, Baptist Health
- Housing costs: $1,100-$1,600/month
- Stipend profit potential: $700-$1,200/week tax-free
El Paso
Border city with unique healthcare needs.
- Average blended rate: $58-$72/hr
- Housing stipend: $1,600-$2,100/week
- Housing costs: $900-$1,300/month
- Stipend profit potential: $700-$1,300/week tax-free
Texas Tax Benefits Breakdown
No State Income Tax
Texas is one of 9 states with no state income tax. Here’s the real impact:
| Annual Gross | CA State Tax | TX State Tax | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $5,200 | $0 | $5,200 |
| $130,000 | $7,800 | $0 | $7,800 |
| $150,000 | $9,500 | $0 | $9,500 |
Combined with Lower Housing
| Expense | California (LA) | Texas (Houston) | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR furnished) | $3,200 | $1,500 | $1,700 |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | $20 |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | $70 |
| Monthly Total | $3,850 | $2,060 | $1,790 |
Annual advantage: $21,480 in housing + $7,000 in taxes = $28,000+ more in your pocket
Texas-Specific Contract Considerations
Overtime Rules
Texas follows federal overtime rules:
- Time-and-a-half after 40 hours/week
- No daily overtime requirement (unlike California)
Use our overtime calculator to see your OT earnings.
Facility Types
Texas has diverse healthcare settings:
- Level 1 Trauma Centers: Higher acuity, higher pay
- Community Hospitals: More flexible, often lower ratios
- Rural Critical Access: Usually includes housing or enhanced stipends
- VA Facilities: Federal pay scales, excellent benefits
Weather Considerations
- Summer (June-September): Extreme heat, but facilities are heavily air-conditioned
- Hurricane Season: Coastal cities (Houston, Galveston) may have storm-related disruptions
- Winter: Generally mild, occasional ice storms in North Texas
Texas Nursing License
Texas is a Compact License State (NLC member). If you hold a compact license from another member state, you can work in Texas immediately.
If you need a Texas license:
- Processing time: 2-4 weeks
- Application fee: $186
- Background check required
Use our Compact License Lookup to check your eligibility.
Best Markets by Specialty
ICU Nurses
- Best city: Houston (Texas Medical Center demand)
- Expected blended rate: $70-$82/hr
- Pro tip: ECMO and CRRT experience commands $3-5/hr premium
ER Nurses
- Best city: Dallas-Fort Worth (high trauma volume)
- Expected blended rate: $68-$80/hr
- Pro tip: Level 1 trauma experience opens highest-paying positions
OR Nurses
- Best city: Houston (MD Anderson surgical volume)
- Expected blended rate: $72-$85/hr
- Pro tip: Robotic surgery experience (da Vinci) adds $2-4/hr
L&D Nurses
- Best city: Austin (population growth = more births)
- Expected blended rate: $65-$80/hr
- Pro tip: High-risk L&D experience valued in major metros
Calculate Your Texas Contract
Compare a Texas offer against other states:
- Pay Calculator - Full take-home comparison with tax calculations
- Blended Rate Calculator - Convert any package to hourly
- Overtime Calculator - Calculate OT earnings
- Stipend Calculator - Compare GSA rates
Texas vs. Other Tax-Free States
| State | Avg Blended Rate | Housing Costs | Overall Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $65-$80/hr | Low-Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Florida | $60-$72/hr | Moderate-High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Nevada | $68-$80/hr | Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Washington | $76-$90/hr | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tennessee | $55-$68/hr | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Texas offers the best combination of solid pay rates and low cost of living among tax-free states.
The Bottom Line
Texas delivers exceptional value for travel nurses:
- No state income tax saves $5,000-$10,000/year
- Low housing costs mean you keep more of your stipend
- Diverse markets from major medical centers to rural facilities
- Year-round demand across all specialties
While gross pay may look lower than California or New York, the net take-home is often higher. Always calculate your true take-home using our pay calculator.
Last updated: January 2026. Pay rates based on aggregated contract data. Individual offers vary by experience, certifications, and facility.
Get Matched with Top-Paying Recruiters
Connect with agencies offering the best contracts in your specialty
Ready to calculate your exact take-home pay? Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator.
Calculate your exact take-home pay, compare contracts, and see how stipends affect your net income.
Go to Calculator