Table Of Contents:
- Introduction
- ER Nurse Average Salary in Various Texas Cities
- Which Factors Affect ER Nurse Salaries in Texas?
- How To Increase Your ER Nurse Salary
- Which Healthcare Providers in Texas Employ ER Nurses?
- Conclusion
In Texas, the demand for well-qualified ER nurses is booming. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas ranks second in the list of U.S. states with the highest employment level in registered nurses (RN). Specifically, 18.57 RNs are employed per 1,000 jobs, and as of May 2023, there are 251,840 RNs employed in the state.
On average, an ER nurse salary in Texas is approximately $1,858 per week, with an additional $12,500 annually in overtime pay. This translates to an hourly wage of around $38.85, though rates can range from $28.22 to $45.00, depending on experience and location. So, if you are considering a career as an ER nurse, keep reading this article to learn the earning potential and job prospects of ER nurses in the United States and how it compares to an ER nurse’s average salary in Texas.
ER Nurse Average Salary in Various Texas Cities
As per the latest Ziprecruiter estimates, ER nurse average salary in Texas (as of Feb 2025) is $80, 809 per annum. Salaries range from $30,279 to $145,338, depending on educational qualifications and years of experience.
How much does a nurse make an hour in Texas? Estimates put that number at $39 per hour, with a minimum wage of $14.56 per hour and a maximum of $69.87 per hour.
To help you make a better decision about where to look for a job in ER nursing, let’s see how an ER nurse salary in Texas compares city-wise.
| City | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly salary |
| Markham | $109,404 | $9,117 | $52.60 |
| Tenaha | $106,712 | $8,892 | $51.30 |
| Skidmore | $97,283 | $8,106 | $46.77 |
| Kemp | $95,112 | $7,926 | $45.73 |
| Odessa | $87,524 | $7,293 | $42.08 |
| La Grange | $86,639 | $7,219 | $41.65 |
| West Odessa | $85,861 | $7,155 | $41.28 |
| Dallas | $85,803 | $7,150 | $41.25 |
| Midland | $85,157 | $7,096 | $40.94 |
| Dayton | $84,920 | $7,076 | $40.83 |
Also read: Three C’s of an Emergency & Three P’s of First Aid
Which Factors Affect ER Nurse Salaries in Texas?
Now that you know how much do ER nurses make in Texas, you must have noticed a great variation in the salary ranges. That’s because salaries are influenced by different factors, such as experience levels, type of employer, and urban vs. rural areas. These factors are discussed as follows:
Entry-Level ER Nurse vs. Experienced ER Nurse
Entry-level ER nurses start with lower pay as they adapt to the high-pressure environment and build core emergency care skills. With time, experience, and advanced capabilities, their earnings rise, especially when they take on specialized or supervisory roles like trauma, pediatric, or flight nursing.
According to Payscale data, an entry-level ER nurse salary in Texas with less than one year of experience can be up to $30.10 per hour. ER nurses with 1-4 years of experience can earn $33.05 per hour, whereas those with 5-9 years of experience can earn $36.42 per hour. ER nurses with 10-19 years of experience tend to earn $40.69 per hour, and those with more than 20 years of experience can earn $43.97 per hour.
Public Hospital vs. Private Hospital vs. Urgent Care Centers
Public hospitals are funded by government entities, and may offer different compensation packages as compared to private hospitals. ER nurse salaries in private hospitals often include a performance-based incentive component and other bonuses, which public hospitals do not offer. On the other hand, urgent care centers offer salaries depending on their location and patient population type, and they usually see a lower acuity of conditions as compared to hospital emergency departments.
Location-Based Differences
Larger cities and areas with higher living costs, such as Dallas, Houston, and Austin, also offer competitive salaries. Additionally, rural regions may provide higher wages to attract skilled ER nurses to balance workforce shortages with financial incentives for healthcare professionals.
How To Increase Your ER Nurse Salary
ER nurses are always looking to improve their educational qualifications and, consequently, their compensation packages. There are several ways for you to advance your career, which are discussed below:
Earn Advanced Degrees and Certifications
You can earn the Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN) certificate from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. You could also work toward earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree after you’ve completed your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Continuing education certifications or those that enhance your ER nursing skills will give your earning potential a boost. Take the ACLS certification (or recertification) course, and if you want to work with children, take the PALS certification (or recertification) course to bolster your ER nursing skills.
Take On Different Work Settings Or Additional Responsibilities
Work during the night shift or over weekends. Night shift ER nurses in Texas earn an average of $28 per hour (min: $6.05 per hour; max: $49.05 per hour)
Per diem shifts (paid on a day-to-day basis) also pay more than full-time ER nursing jobs. That’s because per diem ER nursing jobs do not offer any additional benefits. Employers, therefore, increase the hourly rate to attract qualified ER nurses. It is a lucrative option, especially if your current ER nursing job does not allow you to pick up overtime work. You also have the flexibility to choose how many hours you’ll work, so your earnings correspond to the amount of work you do.
You can also get enough experience and work as a charge nurse or manager for your unit, earning an average of $38 per hour (range: $22.17 per hour – $55.09). In addition, you can undergo training to become a preceptor for new hires for your unit.
Choose ER Nursing Specializations
You can choose to become a travel ER nurse and earn an average annual salary of $ 114,552. Travel nurses often receive higher pay, housing stipends, and bonuses, which makes it a lucrative option for those seeking flexibility and adventure.
Also read: What is the Main Determinant of EtCO2 During CPR?
Which Healthcare Providers in Texas Employ ER Nurses?
Texas is home to some of the busiest emergency departments in the country, creating a constant demand for skilled ER nurses. From large hospital networks to specialized trauma centers, healthcare providers across the state seek experienced professionals to handle critical care situations. You can monitor job openings in these organizations and apply as soon as an opportunity becomes available.
Some common hospitals hiring ER nurses in Texas are:
- Texas Health Resources
- Baylor Scott & White Health
- Memorial Hermann Health System
- Methodist Health System
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Parkland Health & Hospital System
- Christus Health
- Harris Health System
- Seton Healthcare Family
These hospitals are known for their significant contributions to healthcare in Texas and regularly seek qualified ER nurses to join their teams. Be sure to visit their websites or connect with their HR departments for the latest job postings and application requirements.
Start Your Career As an ER Nurse in Texas Today!
The ER nurse salary in Texas is dependent on a variety of factors, including experience levels, qualifications, roles and responsibilities, and location. Typically, private hospitals and specialized ER nursing roles pay more than public hospitals or regular ER nurse opportunities. Moreover, ER nurses working night shifts earn more per hour on average than those working day shifts. In addition, ER nursing offers a high degree of job satisfaction through the opportunity to make a significant impact on patient’s lives in their moments of greatest need.
If you’re aiming for a solid start in ER nursing, staying certified is important. Courses like ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) not only sharpen your clinical skills but also boost your credibility with employers. Consider enrolling in an online ACLS course to strengthen your resume and take a confident step toward your ER nursing career in Texas.
References:
https://www.incrediblehealth.com/salaries/s/er-nurse/tx
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Er-Nurse-Salary–in-Texas
https://nurse.org/education/er-nurse-salary/
https://www.vivian.com/nursing/er-emergency-room-nurse/texas/salary/
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Emergency-Room-Nurse-Salary–in-Texas
https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/staff-nurse-rn-emergency-room-salary/tx
https://www.reddit.com/r/Nurses/comments/10k81j3/how_much_does_an_er_nurse_actually_get_paid/
https://nursingeducation.org/careers/emergency-room-nurse/salary/
https://www.nursetogether.com/how-increase-your-nursing-salary/
