Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $58,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Cedar Park, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,633 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Park's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,076 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($86,407) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Amid the evolving healthcare landscape in Cedar Park, the starting registered nurse salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected at $58,633, representing a foundational income in a city where the median annual salary reaches $86,407. This gap underscores the common experience for novice nurses, as entry-level salaries naturally lag behind the overall median in any profession. However, as new RNs gain experience, they can expect a trajectory that moves them through percentile ranks; for instance, salaries can increase to $68,752 as they approach the 25th percentile and potentially align closer to the median as they accumulate 3-5 years of career experience. Given these figures, Cedar Park currently presents a favorable market for new nursing graduates willing to embark on their careers in a supportive community.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Park
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Park
Entry-level registered nurses in Cedar Park, TX typically start between $58,633 and $68,752 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $66,205 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $86,407 — 15.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Texas of $55,000 represents just 93.80% of the starting registered nurse pay ($58,633/year) in Cedar Park. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Cedar Park
- 1Research the Cedar Park market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $58,633 to $68,752, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Park, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Cedar Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Park's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Cedar Park is $66,205 ( 112.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,633, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,838.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,061
2025 BLS Actual
$55,677
2026 Current Est.
$58,633
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,135 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,747 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Park, TX grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,061 in 2019 to $55,677 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,747. New graduates entering the Cedar Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Cedar Park
Employment opportunities for entry-level registered nurses in Cedar Park can primarily be found within large hospital systems that offer structured new grad nurse residency programs. These programs typically last 12 months and include comprehensive training across various critical care areas such as the ICU and ED. Community hospitals may present alternative pathways with quicker cross-training options. New graduates should consider obtaining additional credentials like specialty certifications from bodies such as ANCC or AACN, which can significantly elevate their starting registered nurse pay in TX. Furthermore, developing skills through continuing education—whether it’s through obtaining a BSN or acquiring ACLS and PALS certifications—can enhance their marketability. As nurses navigate their first few years, they should embrace the potential for increased earnings through specialty certifications and shift differentials that can further amplify their pay, aligning with Cedar Park’s dynamic healthcare environment.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for registered nurses in Cedar Park in 2026?
How fast do registered nurse salaries grow in Cedar Park?
Is nursing school worth it in Cedar Park?
What do new registered nurses make right out of school in Cedar Park?
How do I become a registered nurse in Texas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Cedar Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov