Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Killeen, TX: $47.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Killeen, TX runs $47.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Killeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,037 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Killeen, Texas, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at a median of $47.31, slightly below the national median of $49.39. This hourly wage offers a solid income for both part-time nurses working three days a week and per diem registered nurses who may seek flexible shifts in varied settings, such as hospital floors, emergency departments, or home health visits. Entry-level RNs begin at an hourly rate of approximately $38.04, while those with specialty certifications and extensive experience could earn upwards of $60.45 per hour. Such rates reflect the local demand for skilled nurses in diverse environments, from intensive care units to outpatient clinics. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming Killeen's competitive position in the registered nursing profession compared to other regions in Texas.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.04 | $304.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.02 | $320.14 |
| Median (P50) | $47.31 | $378.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.20 | $441.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.45 | $483.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Killeen
Based on $47.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.31/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Killeen, TX can expect to earn approximately $98,395 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,766. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Killeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Killeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,892.21 | $8,200 | $98,395 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,135.33 | $4,920 | $59,037 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $756.88 | $3,280 | $39,358 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Killeen) | $47.31 |
| 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 Killeen, TX earn a median of $98,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 13.40% above the Texas state average of $86,774.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.31/hr = $59,037/year (purchasing power: $64,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,395/year (purchasing power: $107,970).
CoL index: 91.132 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Killeen grew 31.9% from $34.06/hr (2019) to $44.92/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.82/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 Killeen 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 Killeen
Beyond the hourly pay structure, part-time registered nurses can see significant variations in their annual earnings. Working three shifts a week, an RN may earn around $58,116 annually, a figure that falls short of a full-time registered nurse's earnings but still offers a reasonable income. Per diem registered nurses are particularly lucrative in Killeen, often billing between $50 and $80 per hour depending on their specialty; moreover, travel nurses may secure contracts ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 per week, with crisis rates for ICU positions sometimes reaching $5,000 to $8,000. Hourly rates also vary significantly based on the type of employer, such as acute care hospitals, surgical centers, or home healthcare agencies, often influenced by the benefits offered. Many RNs weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower hourly rates that provide health insurance, which can be pivotal when selecting job opportunities in Killeen. Nurse professionals are encouraged to negotiate effectively, understanding the local market rates and the added value of their skills and certifications, especially when aiming for roles in magnet-status facilities that prefer BSN-prepared candidates.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 Killeen. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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