Travel Nurse Salary in Texas

By:
Briana Bonicelli, MSN, RN
December 22, 2025
Reading time:
6 min

Travel nursing in Texas offers competitive pay that varies significantly by specialty, location, and contract terms. With a growing healthcare demand across urban and rural communities alike, Texas remains a strong market for travel nurses seeking both financial opportunity and diverse clinical experience.

Typical Travel Nurse Pay Ranges in Texas

Statewide Salary Ranges

  • Weekly salary: Travel nurses in Texas commonly earn in the range of roughly $1,740–$1,765 per week.
  • Hourly range: Estimates hover around $42–$45/hr average, with wider ranges reported depending on specialty and experience.

Note: These figures include base pay before additional agency stipends (housing, meals, travel reimbursements), which can materially enhance total compensation.

Factors that Influence Travel Nurse Pay in Texas

Understanding pay means knowing what drives it.

Here are the key influences:

1. Specialty demand

High-acuity specialties like ICU, PICU, OR, CVOR, etc. often command top weekly rates.

2. Location within the state

Major metro areas (Dallas, Houston, Austin) may offer competitive contract rates, but smaller cities occasionally pay premium in high-need situations.

3. Contract specifics

Shift differentials, night/weekend premiums, and bonuses (completion/renewal) materially change take-home pay.

4. Agency and facility need

Peak demand (seasonal surges, staffing shortages) often increases bill rates and traveler pay.

Average Pay in Texas by Common Travel Nursing Specialties

These figures are based on recent job listings — actual contract offers will vary by location and market conditions:

Specialty

Aprox. Avgerage Weekly Pay

Nomes

ICU

~$2,800+

High demand; critical care premium.

CVOR / First Assist

~$2,600+

Specialized perioperative roles.

Rapid Response

~$2,500+

Acute care fast-paced environments.

OR Scrub RN

~$2,480+

Procedural suite specialty.

Radiology

~$2,475+

Cross-functional clinical unit.

Med-Surg / General RN

~$2,000+

Baseline for broad nursing skills.

Note: These pay ranges are reflective of job data from December 2025, and represent typical weekly earnings, not guaranteed pay.

Why Choose Travel Nursing in Texas

1. Strong and diverse healthcare market

Texas is home to world-class medical centers (e.g., large pediatric and trauma hospitals) and rural healthcare networks alike, offering broad clinical exposure and skill growth.

2. Variety of practice settings

From high-acuity ICUs to specialty services, travel nurses in Texas can build a dynamic career portfolio.

3. Cost of living advantages

Many metro and non-metro areas have a lower cost of living compared with other coastal states, enhancing purchasing power for travel nurses.

Where to Visit While in Texas

Texas is huge and full of culture, food, and outdoor life, perfect for travel nurses exploring between shifts:

  • Austin – Live music capital with vibrant food and lake life.
  • San Antonio – Historic sites like the River Walk and Alamo.
  • Houston – World-class museums, diverse cuisine, and NASA Space Center.
  • Dallas/Fort Worth – Urban museums, stockyards, and craft districts.
  • The Hill Country – Wine, wildflowers, and scenic drives.
  • Gulf Coast (Galveston, Corpus Christi) – Beaches and seafood escapes.

Whether you seek urban culture or natural beauty, Texas offers something for every travel nurse’s off-duty itinerary.

Related Reading

Author profile

Briana Bonicelli, MSN, RN
Briana Bonicelli, MSN, RN, is an accomplished nursing leader with over 20 years of progressive clinical and leadership experience in adult critical care, cardiac telemetry, and healthcare staffing. She specializes in clinician performance management, compliance, and quality assurance. Briana has held senior roles within leading healthcare staffing agencies, where she was recognized for her strategic leadership and expertise in clinical coaching, risk mitigation, and process improvement.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-bonicelli-46a05b155/

Published: Dec. 22, 2025
Modified: Dec. 22, 2025