Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Copperas Cove, TX: $40.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Copperas Cove, TX runs $40.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,897 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Copperas Cove's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,336 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Copperas Cove, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to be $40.33 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.39. This disparity may influence part-time workers, such as those who typically work three days a week, allowing for flexibility while earning a consistent rate. Per diem registered nurses, often filling in at various healthcare settings like hospital floors, ICUs, and outpatient clinics, have an hourly range that can vary significantly, starting around $30.98 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $55.92 for seasoned professionals. This range illustrates the different pay scales depending on experience and the specific demands of various nursing roles in Copperas Cove.
About the Copperas Cove Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.98 | $247.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.70 | $269.59 |
| Median (P50) | $40.33 | $322.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.41 | $371.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.92 | $447.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Copperas Cove
Based on $40.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.33/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Copperas Cove, TX can expect to earn approximately $83,894 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,400. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Copperas Cove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Copperas Cove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,613.35 | $6,991 | $83,894 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $968.01 | $4,195 | $50,336 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $645.34 | $2,796 | $33,558 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Copperas Cove) | $40.33 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Copperas Cove, TX earn a median of $83,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.33% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $86,760.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.33/hr = $50,336/year (purchasing power: $52,434).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,894/year (purchasing power: $87,390).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Copperas Cove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Copperas Cove grew 33.1% from $28.78/hr (2019) to $38.30/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.48/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Copperas Cove 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.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Copperas Cove
The earning potential for part-time registered nurses working in Copperas Cove is substantial; a 3-day workweek can add up to an annual income that is still meaningful, compared to full-time employees. However, per diem rates often entice nurses; they can command between $50 and $80 per hour based on specialty. Travel nurses, in particular, are seeing contracts that range from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, with crisis rate positions in intensive care units drawing upwards of $5,000 to $8,000 in high-need areas. How different employer types impact pay is also significant; nurses in emergency departments or surgical centers might earn more due to the complexity and intensity of care. Registered nurses must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the health insurance and job security typically offered at hospitals. Lastly, successful negotiations often depend on understanding local market demands and emphasizing critical values like specialty certification or flexible scheduling.
More salary data for Copperas Cove, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Copperas Cove. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Copperas Cove 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