Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Kingsville, TX: $62,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Kingsville, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,585 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kingsville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,193 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,123) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingsville, TX, new graduates entering the nursing field can expect to find starting salaries that reflect both local market conditions and the overall demand for healthcare professionals. The entry-level registered nurse salary in Kingsville is projected at $62,585 in 2026, which, while significantly lower than the median annual salary of $83,123 for all RNs in the area, can still provide a solid entry point for those new to the profession. As new nurses gain experience and demonstrate their skills, they have the potential to see their salaries increase steadily—moving from the starting range towards the 25th percentile of $70,363 within just a few years. Given the growth rate of 5.31% annually, prospective nurses can find Kingsville to be a promising market for launching their careers.
About the Kingsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kingsville
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 Kingsville
Entry-level registered nurses in Kingsville, TX typically start between $62,585 and $70,363 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,970 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,123 — 19.09% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Texas of $55,000 represents just 87.88% of the starting registered nurse pay ($62,585/year) in Kingsville. 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 Kingsville
- 1Research the Kingsville market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $62,585 to $70,363, 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 Kingsville, 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 Kingsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kingsville'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 Kingsville is $50,970 ( 81.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,585, experienced hygienists can earn up to $113,555.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,895
2025 BLS Actual
$59,429
2026 Current Est.
$62,585
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Kingsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,895 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,248 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,429 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,908 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Kingsville, TX grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,895 in 2019 to $59,429 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,908. New graduates entering the Kingsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsville 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 Kingsville
A variety of employers in Kingsville provide opportunities for entry-level nurses, particularly large hospital systems that often implement new grad residency programs. These typically last around 12 months and give new RNs the chance to rotate through various departments, including critical care and emergency medicine, ultimately enhancing their skill sets. Community hospitals may also favorably consider new grads, offering quicker paths to cross-training. To elevate starting pay, it's advisable for aspiring nurses to pursue an active RN license and consider obtaining a BSN, as advanced credentials and specialty certifications—such as those from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)—can be invaluable. Additionally, many nurses find that taking shifts during nights and weekends can significantly influence their effective compensation, as differential pay structures reward flexibility. Realistically, within the first three years of their careers in Kingsville, nurses can expect their earnings to shift positively, reflecting not only their growing experience but also the high demand that continues to shape the healthcare landscape in Texas.
More salary data for Kingsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Kingsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kingsville 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