Travel Nursing Jobs Texas 2026
80 open Texas RN assignments averaging $2,400/week. NLC Compact active — same-day license in most cases. Zero state income tax.
Texas Travel Nursing Pay by Specialty
| Specialty | TX Weekly Pay | Top TX Markets | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cath Lab / EP Lab | $2,800–$3,400/wk | Houston Medical Center, UT Southwestern | High |
| ICU / Critical Care | $2,600–$3,200/wk | Houston, Dallas, San Antonio | Very High |
| OR / Surgical | $2,400–$3,000/wk | Houston Medical Center, Baylor Dallas | High |
| ER / Emergency | $2,300–$2,900/wk | Statewide — Level I trauma centers | Very High |
| L&D | $2,200–$2,800/wk | Houston, Dallas, Austin (fastest growing) | High |
| NICU | $2,300–$2,900/wk | Texas Children's Hospital (world's largest) | High |
| Telemetry / PCU | $1,900–$2,400/wk | All major TX metros | Very High |
| Med-Surg | $1,800–$2,300/wk | All TX markets | Very High |
Major Texas Health Systems That Use Travel Nurses
Texas Medical Center (Houston)
60+ institutionsWorld's largest medical complex. 60+ institutions, 106,000 employees, 10M+ patient visits/year. Includes MD Anderson, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Children's.
Baylor Scott & White Health
Largest TX non-profitTexas's largest non-profit health system. 51 hospitals across Texas, strong in Dallas/Fort Worth and Central Texas. Major travel nurse user.
HCA Healthcare Texas Division
Major travel employerExtensive network across Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas. Frequently uses supplemental staffing for acute care, ICU, and ER needs.
Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
#1 Children's hospitalConsistently ranked #1 children's hospital in the nation. Largest pediatric hospital in the US. NICU, PICU, pediatric surgical travel positions.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Academic medical centerAcademic medical powerhouse in Dallas. High-acuity ICU, Cath Lab, and specialty positions. High pay for academic medical center assignments.
Methodist Healthcare (San Antonio)
SA largest systemSan Antonio's largest health system. Benefits from proximity to BAMC (military healthcare) and large civilian patient population.
Texas vs. California for Travel Nurses
| Factor | Texas | California |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Pay | $2,200–$3,200/wk | $2,800–$4,200/wk |
| State Income Tax | 0% — none | 1–13.3% (highest in nation) |
| NLC Compact | ✓ Yes — same-day activation | ✗ No — 8–12 week wait |
| License Processing | 2–4 weeks (TBON) | 8–12 weeks (CA BRN) |
| Staffing Ratios | No law — facility-set | AB 394 mandated (strictest) |
| Job Volume | Very High (#2 market) | Very High (#1 market) |
| Cost of Living | Moderate (housing stipend goes far) | High (especially SF/LA) |
| Competition for Jobs | Moderate (more nurses eligible) | Lower (license barrier filters) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel nurses make in Texas?
Travel nurses in Texas average $2,400/week in 2026. ICU and Cath Lab nurses in Houston and Dallas earn $2,800–$3,200/week. Texas has no state income tax, which increases take-home pay by $50–$200/week compared to high-tax states.
Is Texas an NLC Compact state?
Yes — Texas is an NLC founding member. If your home state is also NLC Compact, your license activates same-day in Texas. Non-Compact nurses need a TBON endorsement (2–4 weeks). Much faster than California's 8–12 week wait.
Why do travel nurses choose Texas?
Four major draws: (1) NLC Compact same-day license. (2) 0% state income tax — every taxable dollar stays with you. (3) World's largest medical complex in Houston. (4) Low cost of living — your housing stipend goes further in TX than in CA or NY.
What are the best Texas cities for travel nurses?
Houston leads with Texas Medical Center (world's largest medical complex). Dallas/Fort Worth has major systems like Baylor Scott & White and UT Southwestern. San Antonio has military-adjacent healthcare. Austin is the fastest-growing TX healthcare market.
Apply for Texas Travel Nursing Jobs
80 open positions. NLC Compact active. No state income tax. World-class healthcare systems.
Apply for TX Travel Nursing Jobs