Registered Nurse salary in Austin, TX
Median pay, Austin metro
$97,890/year
about $47.06 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $81,540 – $106,450
Half of registered nurses in the Austin metro area earn more than $97,890 a year and half earn less. That's about the same as the national median of $97,550, and ranks #21 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| 25th | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Median (50th) | $97,890 | $47.06 |
| 75th | $106,450 | $51.18 |
| 90th (top earners) | $127,510 | $61.30 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a registered nurse job in the Austin metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $81,540 ($39.20/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $81,540 to $106,450 ($39.20 to $51.18/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $106,450 ($51.18/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Shift differentials for nights and weekends can add a lot on top of the base rate, so ask for them in writing.
- Sign-on bonuses often come with a clawback if you leave within one or two years. Check the terms before you count on it.
- Ask about nurse-to-patient ratios and mandatory overtime, since they shape the job far more than the posting suggests.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Austin metro. Occupation: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.