Texas Travel NICU Nurse Jobs
Level III & IV NICU · Texas Children's · Dell Children's · Cook Children's
Texas has the highest birth volume in the US (400,000+ annually) and home to Texas Children's Hospital — one of the largest NICUs in the world. Zero state income tax, NLC Compact for instant licensure, and lower cost of living than California make Texas the best net-pay NICU travel market for most travel nurses.
0% TX Tax + NLC Compact = Best Net NICU Pay
No state income tax means you keep 5–13% more of your taxable base than California nurses. NLC Compact means you can start a Texas NICU assignment within days of signing — no waiting 8–16 weeks for a California license.
400,000+ Annual Texas Births = Year-Round NICU Demand
The highest birth volume state in the US creates constant NICU demand across Level III and IV facilities — Texas Children's, Dell Children's, Cook Children's, and 20+ regional NICU facilities statewide.
Live Texas NICU Travel Nurse Jobs
Updated every 4 hoursNew Texas NICU openings added daily.
Submit ProfileTexas NICU Travel Pay by Market (2025)
| Market | NICU Level | Weekly Package | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston (Texas Medical Center) | Level IV | $3,200 – $3,800 | Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, UT Health, Memorial Hermann, CHI St. Luke's |
| Dallas / Fort Worth | Level III/IV | $3,000 – $3,600 | Children's Medical Center (UTSW), Cook Children's (Fort Worth), Medical City Children's |
| Austin | Level III/IV | $3,000 – $3,600 | Dell Children's Medical Center (Level IV), St. David's Medical Center, Ascension Seton |
| San Antonio | Level III | $2,800 – $3,400 | University Health Bexar County, Christus Santa Rosa Children's, Methodist Healthcare |
| El Paso | Level III | $2,800 – $3,300 | El Paso Children's Hospital, Del Sol Medical Center, University Medical Center of El Paso |
| South Texas / Rio Grande Valley | Level II/III | $2,900 – $3,500 | Driscoll Children's (Corpus Christi), Valley Baptist Harlingen, UTRGV/DHR Health |
Texas vs California vs Florida — Travel NICU Nurse Comparison
| Factor | ⭐ Texas | ☀️ California | 🌴 Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak NICU Weekly Pay | $3,200–$3,800 | $4,200–$4,800 | $3,000–$3,400 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 1%–13.3% | 0% |
| NLC Compact | Yes | No | Yes |
| Annual Birth Volume | 400K+ (highest) | 420K (second) | 230K |
| Level IV NICUs | 6+ | 12+ | 3+ |
| License Processing | NLC — immediate | 8–16 weeks | NLC — immediate |
| Cost of Living | Low–Moderate | Very High | Moderate |
| Effective Net Pay | High (0% tax) | Moderate (13.3% top) | High (0% tax) |
Texas Travel NICU Nurse — FAQs
Q.How much do travel NICU nurses make in Texas?
Travel NICU nurses in Texas earn $2,800–$3,800/week total package. Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston commands the highest rates ($3,200–$3,800/week for Level IV NICU positions). Texas's 0% income tax means more take-home than equivalent California packages after CA's top 13.3% tax rate is applied.
Q.What is Texas Children's Hospital NICU and why is it significant?
Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston has one of the largest NICUs in the world — a 150+ bed Level IV facility connected to one of the busiest maternal-fetal medicine programs in the US. Affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, it receives the most complex neonatal cases from across Texas and the Gulf Coast region. Travel NICU nurses at Texas Children's work in one of the highest-volume, highest-acuity Level IV environments in the country.
Q.Can I use NLC Compact to work NICU in Texas?
Yes. Texas is an NLC Compact member. If your home state RN license is from any of the 40+ NLC compact states (TN, AZ, NC, VA, CO, FL, and many more), you can work in Texas NICU immediately without a separate TX license. This is a massive advantage over California assignments — no waiting 8–16 weeks for a CA license. Check nursys.com to verify your license's compact status.
Q.What NICU experience do I need for Texas travel contracts?
Most Level IV Texas NICUs (Texas Children's, Dell Children's, Cook Children's) require 2+ years Level III/IV NICU experience. Level III hospital NICUs (University Health SA, CHI facilities) often accept 12–18 months experience. Current NRP is universally required. RNC-NIC certification adds significant pay and opens more positions at top-tier facilities.
Texas NICU — 0% Tax, NLC Compact, Top-Tier NICUs
CatSol places travel NICU nurses at Texas Children's, Dell Children's, Cook Children's, and NICU facilities across Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio, and South Texas.