Registered Nurse Salary in Richardson, TX: $87,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Richardson, TX earns a median $87,855/year (≈ $42.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $91,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Richardson, TX, registered nurses can expect a median annual salary of $87,855, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730. This gap highlights the structural pay differences between staff nurses and their traveling counterparts, with local pay typically ranging from $58,065 at the lowest end to as high as $123,179 at the top. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect regional adjustments accounting for the cost of living, which is indexed at 96, indicating a slightly below-average cost situation. Given this context, while the local market may not match national figures, opportunities abound for nurses, especially those willing to pursue travel assignments or enhance their qualifications.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,065 | $27.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,076 | $35.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,855 | $42.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,011 | $48.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,179 | $59.22 |
Median Salary Position
14.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,114 (2026 est.). At $87,855, the local median is 14.48% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richardson Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Richardson median: $87,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,813 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -14.48% less |
Registered Nurses in Richardson, TX earn a median of $87,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.48% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $86,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $87,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,686
2025 BLS Actual
$83,425
2026 Current Est.
$87,855
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,686 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,422 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,364 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,607 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,611 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,425 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,520 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $62,686 (2019) to $83,425 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,520 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,834 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,065 – $74,076 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,076 – $87,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,855 – $101,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,011 – $123,179 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Richardson
The job market in Richardson is bolstered by a community of 24 registered nurses, a compact yet potentially close-knit professional environment. The cost of living index of 96 suggests that despite the relatively lower registered nurse pay in Richardson, the purchasing power can remain competitive for local residents. Among various employment avenues, hospital systems generally provide the highest salaries, particularly in acute care settings, ICU, and emergency departments. Factors contributing to disparities in pay include shift differentials, with night and weekend shifts often yielding premiums; specialization certifications from entities such as the AACN or ENA can also enhance earning potential. For those looking to maximize their income, focusing on specialty certifications, seeking roles in high-demand areas, and considering part-time travel assignments are practical strategies in the local market.
More salary data for Richardson, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,425 for registered nursesin the Richardson metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richardson 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