The fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States employs more than 376,000 healthcare workers. That means you’ll have your pick of great nursing jobs in Houston. The city also has much to offer in terms of culture and history.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Houston, Texas
- Is Texas a compact state? Yes.
- What do RNs earn in Houston? The average annual salary for RN jobs in Houston is $88,880, compared to the national average RN salary of $89,010.
- Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Texas? You can visit the Texas Board of Nursing for up-to-date information.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Houston
Almost 2.3 million people live in Houston, the fourth biggest metropolitan area in the U.S. Healthcare professionals are in demand to fill Houston nursing jobs in order to care for all those residents. That’s good news for RNs, CNAs, and LVNs — you can pursue full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem nursing jobs in Houston.
So, whom will you be caring for? In Houston, the median age is 33 and people ages 65 and over make up around 11% of the population. There are roughly equal numbers of women and men. Just under 32% of married couples have children, and 23% of residents have children but aren’t married.
Be sure to boost your skill set with cultural competence before you apply to nursing jobs — Houston is a diverse city: 45% of residents are of Hispanic ethnicity; 22% are Black; and just about 7% are Asian. Bilingual nurses in Houston will have an advantage when looking for work, as these jobs require frequent interactions with patients who may not speak English.
Working in Houston
Houston is home to nearly 21,410 healthcare and social assistance organizations. This includes approximately 14,900 ambulatory providers, 6,500 social assistance centers, 740 nursing and residential care centers, and 240 hospitals.
The top healthcare employers in Houston are:
- CHI St. Luke’s
- HCA Houston Healthcare
- Harris Health System
- Houston Methodist
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that’s certainly the case here: Houston’s Texas Medical Center is the world’s largest medical complex when considering the number of hospitals, number of physicians, square footage, and patient volume.
This metropolitan area is among the country’s top 10 for employment of healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, which generates many nursing jobs in Houston. In fact, the area is also the seventh largest in the country for professionals employed in RN jobs.
Houston may be enormous both in size and opportunities, but thankfully, residents don’t need to spend an outsize amount of time commuting: It takes around 26 minutes for Houstonions to get to work, which is on par with the national average. Nearly 77% drive solo to work and 11% carpool. While only 4% take mass transit, Houston residents have access to one of the best and safest bus systems in the country.
If you need help looking after your kids and pets while you’re busy working a shift, Houston has many daycare and afterschool care programs. When it comes to canine care, Houston is recognized as the city with the highest ratio of dogs to humans — in the world. So, yes, you’ll have access to your choice of dog walkers.
Living in Houston
There’s plenty to keep you occupied in your off hours in Houston. The museum district alone boasts 19 museums of varying specialties, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (one of the largest in the country); the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum; and the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science. Here is also where you’ll find Hermann Park, which comprises picnic areas, a golf course, the Houston Zoo, gardens, an outdoor theater, and even another museum: the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
When it comes time to eat, Houston has 10,000 restaurants featuring cuisines from 70 global and national regions. No wonder Food & Wine named the city “the newest capital of great food.” Pair your evenings out with a performance downtown, where you’ll find the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, and the Houston Ballet.
Of the country’s most populous cities, none has more total acreage of parkland than Houston. Among your many options: Buffalo Bayou Park runs along 10 miles of waterway for kayaking and pontooning; Evelyn’s Park hosts food trucks and farmers markets; and Leavy Park features a reading room, a huge playground, and dog parks.
The weather in Houston is scorching during the summer and cool during the winter, with a typical temperature range of 47 degrees to 95 degrees during the year. The hottest month is August, with an average high of 94; the coldest month is January, with an average low of 47.
For all its attractions, Houston actually has a cost of living that’s around 8% lower than the rest of the country. A house costs 18% less than the national average, while rents are 6% less.
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