Travel Nursing in Dallas, Texas – The Ultimate Guide for 2026
Dallas, Texas is a popular destination for travel nurses. In this article, we’ll provide a travel nursing specific guide with information on pay, cost of living, housing options, hospitals, and extracurricular activities so travel nurse can get prepared to flourish in this popular Lone Star State destination.
Travel Nursing Pay in Dallas, Texas
Travel nursing in Dallas, Texas is a financially compelling option for experienced RNs and allied health professionals. This is partly due to the fact that Dallas benefits from consistent demand driven by its large healthcare systems and trauma centers.
All pay ranges below come from BluePipes’ job board and reflect 36-hour contracts and include base pay plus typical tax-free stipends. It’s important to note that weekly gross pay varies by specialty, acuity, timing, agency and facility.
Gross Pay by Specialty
| Nursing Specialty | Gross Weekly Pay Range (36 hrs) |
| Med-Surg | $1,500 – $2,000+ |
| Telemetry | $1,500 – $2,000+ |
| Step-Down / PCU | $1,490 – $1,600+ |
| ICU / Critical Care | $1,500 – $2,500+ |
| Emergency Room | $1,600 – $2,400+ |
| Operating Room (OR) | $1,800 – $2,800+ |
| PACU | $1,800 – $2,600+ |
| Labor & Delivery | $1,800 – $2,600+ |
| PICU | $1,900 – $2,500+ |
| NICU | $1,900 – $2,600+ |
| Cath Lab | $2,500 – $2,900+ |
Why Some Units Pay More
Pay variability in Dallas is closely tied to unit acuity, seasonality, and local supply-demand dynamics. For example, critical care, surgical, and procedural units such as ICU, OR, Cath Lab, and NICU often pay more due to experience requirements and limited candidate pools.
Additionally, seasonal patient surges can temporarily elevate rates. For example, respiratory illness spikes in winter and summer experiences staffing gaps due to staff vacations.
In any case, large tertiary hospitals and trauma centers in the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area are more likely to offer higher gross packages than smaller community facilities.
What Travel Nurses Ought to Know About Taxes in Dallas, Texas
Texas does not levy a state income tax on wages. As a result, your employer will not withhold state income taxes on gross pay you earn in Texas. Therefore, you get to keep more of your paycheck!
However, travel nurses should still consider local costs such as sales tax. That’s because it can reach 8.25% in Dallas between state and local rates. That is the maximum that Texas state law allows and above the national average of 7.25%.
Dallas Pay vs. Cost of Living for Travel Nurses
Dallas offers a moderate cost of living relative to many major U.S. travel-nurse hubs. In fact, housing and grocery costs are the primary differentiators when comparing Dallas to coastal cities.
For example, Dallas housing and overall living expenses are substantially lower when we compare them to Los Angeles and New York City. Denver and Phoenix also tend to have higher cost of living than Dallas.
That said, it’s important to note that Dallas is typically the most expensive region in the state of Texas. Therefore, you can expect the same payrate to be more profitable in San Antonio or Houston than Dallas all else being equal.
What hospitals use Travel Nurses in Dallas, Texas?
Here are just some of the many hospitals that utilize travel nurses across the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas metro area. These facilities range from large academic medical centers to regional trauma hospitals and community-based acute care providers.
William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital (UT Southwestern) — Dallas
Address: 6201 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390
William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital is the flagship academic hospital of UT Southwestern and one of the most complex-care environments in North Texas. It functions as a quaternary referral center where advanced cardiovascular care, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, and transplant medicine are routine rather than exceptional.
Public sources commonly describe the hospital as having 751 beds. And it’s not just big. UT Southwestern is consistently ranked the top hospital system in the Dallas–Fort Worth region by U.S. News, and Clements anchors many of those nationally ranked specialty programs.
Parkland Memorial Hospital — Dallas
Address: 5200 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235
Parkland Memorial Hospital serves as Dallas County’s primary safety-net hospital and one of the busiest public hospitals in the country. It operates in close academic partnership with UT Southwestern, blending high-volume emergency care with teaching and research.
Parkland states that its acute care hospital is licensed for 882 beds. It includes Level I trauma services, burn care, women’s health, neonatal intensive care, and a wide range of inpatient medical and surgical specialties. The scale and acuity of care make Parkland a consistent destination for travel nurses.
Baylor University Medical Center (Baylor Scott & White) — Dallas
Address: 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246
Baylor University Medical Center is one of the largest and most recognizable hospitals in North Texas, known for complex surgery, cardiovascular medicine, and specialty care that draws patients from across the region.
Licensed bed counts are inconsistent across sources. That said, figures range from approximately 914 to 1,200 beds. The hospital has a Level I trauma center and is widely recognized as a major teaching facility. It frequently appears in U.S. News rankings for multiple specialties.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas — Dallas
Address: 8200 Walnut Hill Ln., Dallas, TX 75231
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is a major tertiary referral hospital known for heart and vascular care, neurosurgery, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s and infant services.
Here again, licensed bed counts are inconsistent across sources and range from 875 to 888 beds. Texas Health Presbyterian has Level I trauma designation and comprehensive stroke center. Additionally, it participates in major quality-reporting programs such as CMS Care Compare.
Medical City Dallas (HCA Healthcare) — Dallas
Address: 7777 Forest Ln., Dallas, TX 75230
Medical City Dallas is a large, high-acuity hospital with extensive specialty depth in oncology, transplant services, cardiovascular care, neuroscience and women’s health.
The hospital reports approximately 899 beds. Medical City Dallas is part of an HCA network that frequently earns Healthgrades and Leapfrog recognition for safety and outcomes.
Methodist Dallas Medical Center — Dallas
Address: 1441 N. Beckley Ave., Dallas, TX 75203
Methodist Dallas Medical Center is a flagship teaching hospital for Methodist Health System, serving as a major trauma and stroke destination for southern Dallas.
Sources generally cite bed-count in the low-to-mid 590s. The hospital is designated as a Level I trauma center and participates in Leapfrog safety reporting, reinforcing its reputation for high-acuity inpatient care.
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth — Fort Worth
Address: 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth is a cornerstone tertiary hospital for Tarrant County, particularly known for emergency and critical care.
Various sources report different bed-counts with figures ranging from the high 600s to mid-800s. The hospital holds a Level I trauma designation and has earned Magnet® recognition, signaling a strong nursing practice environment.
John Peter Smith Hospital (JPS Health Network) — Fort Worth
Address: 1500 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104
John Peter Smith Hospital is the public hospital anchor for Tarrant County. This hospital combines trauma care, specialty inpatient services, and a large teaching mission.
JPS reports operating a 582-bed hospital and functions as a Level I trauma center, with consistent demand for experienced clinicians in high-volume units.
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center — Fort Worth
Address: 1400 8th Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center blends community-based care with advanced specialty services, including cardiology, oncology, and transplant medicine.
The hospital reports 538 licensed beds and serves as a key inpatient hub within the Baylor Scott & White system in Fort Worth.
Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital — Arlington
Address: 800 W. Randol Mill Rd., Arlington, TX 76012
Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital serves the Mid-Cities with a full range of inpatient and emergency services.
The hospital reports 369 licensed beds and holds a Level III trauma designation, along with maternal and neonatal care capabilities.
Medical City Arlington — Arlington
Address: 3301 Matlock Rd., Arlington, TX 76015
Medical City Arlington is a major acute care hospital serving Arlington and surrounding communities, with a strong emergency and surgical profile.
The hospital reports 493 beds. It holds a Level II trauma designation.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine — Grapevine
Address: 1650 W. College St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine is a high-acuity community hospital serving Northeast Tarrant County.
The hospital reports approximately 302 beds and holds a Level II trauma designation. It also has advanced emergency and maternal services.
Medical City Plano — Plano
Address: 3901 W. 15th St., Plano, TX 75075
Medical City Plano is one of Collin County’s largest hospitals and a regional referral center for trauma and specialty care.
The hospital reports 603 beds. It is designated as a Level I trauma center and has earned Magnet® recognition.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano — Plano
Address: 4700 Alliance Blvd., Plano, TX 75093
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano focuses on specialty-driven inpatient care, including oncology, surgery, and neuroscience.
The hospital reports 160 licensed beds and serves as a growing inpatient resource for North Dallas suburbs.
Medical City McKinney — McKinney
Address: 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney, TX 75069
Medical City McKinney serves one of the fastest-growing areas in North Texas with trauma, stroke, and inpatient specialty services.
It has approximately 318 beds. The hospital holds Level II trauma designation and Magnet® recognition.
What Travel Nurses Ought to Know about Housing in Dallas, Texas
Here is what travel nurses ought to know about housing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area!
Fully Furnished Short-Term Housing Options
In Dallas, fully furnished short-term apartments cluster heavily in Uptown, Oak Lawn, Victory Park, and the Medical District where corporate housing operators and investor-owned condos are most active. In these neighborhoods, furnished studios and one-bedroom units commonly rent between $2,100 and $2,900 per month. Uptown and Victory Park come in at the top of that range due to newer buildings and structured parking. Availability is generally good, but inventory tightens quickly during peak onboarding seasons for UT Southwestern and Baylor University Medical Center.
Outside the Dallas core, Las Colinas, Plano, and Richardson offer a different furnished housing profile. These suburbs have a higher concentration of furnished townhomes and larger apartment units, often priced between $1,900 and $2,500 per month for a furnished one-bedroom. These areas tend to have more surface or garage parking and fewer short-term lease premiums. However, availability is more fragmented and depends heavily on individual property owners rather than large corporate housing blocks.
Shared Housing Options
Shared housing in Dallas is most commonly found in Oak Lawn, East Dallas, Lower Greenville, Plano, and parts of Richardson. In these locations, single-family homes and duplexes dominate the housing stock. Private rooms typically rent for $950 to $1,400 per month, depending on whether they include a private bathroom and/or off-street parking. It’s important to note that Oak Lawn and Lower Greenville skew higher due to central location and demand from rotating medical professionals.
Suburban shared housing in Plano and Richardson often offers better parking reliability and quieter streets, which should appeal to travelers working longer shifts. Additionally, these neighborhoods have a higher percentage of homeowner-occupied properties. That translates into more stable house-share arrangements but fewer last-minute openings compared to East Dallas or Oak Lawn.
Cost of Short-Term Housing in Dallas
Across Dallas–Fort Worth, furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments typically range from $2,000 to $2,900 per month, with Uptown, Victory Park, and Downtown Dallas commanding the highest rates. Units closer to the Medical District often price toward the middle of the range due to consistent hospital-driven demand rather than luxury amenities.
Furnished two-bedroom units generally rent between $2,700 and $3,800 per month in Dallas proper, making them attractive for travelers splitting housing costs in neighborhoods like Oak Lawn or Las Colinas. Private rooms in shared housing remain the lowest-cost option, usually ranging from $900 to $1,400, with pricing driven by neighborhood safety perception, garage access, and proximity to major hospital corridors along I-35 and US-75.
How Dallas Housing Costs Compare to Other Travel Nursing Hubs
Compared to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, Dallas offers substantially lower short-term housing costs and greater availability of furnished 90-day rentals. Comparable furnished one-bedroom units in those markets frequently exceed $3,500 per month, while Dallas inventory remains accessible below that threshold in most neighborhoods.
Dallas is generally more affordable and less competitive than Miami during peak travel seasons, though it trends slightly higher than Houston for centrally located furnished units. Unlike Houston, Dallas has a denser concentration of short-term inventory in specific neighborhoods, which makes availability more predictable for travelers who target established rental corridors.
Neighborhoods and Suburbs in Dallas-Fort worth That Work Well for Travel Nurses
Oak Lawn consistently ranks as one of the strongest housing choices for travel nurses due to its proximity to the Medical District and strong supply of furnished apartments and condos. Typical drive times to UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital range from 5 to 15 minutes outside peak traffic. Streets are well lit, parking is often gated, and property crime concerns are lower than in adjacent industrial areas.
Uptown and Victory Park attract travelers seeking newer furnished units and managed buildings, with typical drives of 10 to 20 minutes to Baylor University Medical Center and downtown hospitals. These neighborhoods offer high rental availability but come with higher noise levels and more structured parking reliance, which can matter for night-shift travelers.
Las Colinas provides a suburban alternative with abundant furnished apartments and townhomes, reliable parking, and consistent lighting. Commute ranges to central Dallas hospitals typically fall between 20 and 30 minutes, making it appealing for travelers prioritizing housing stability over immediate proximity. Plano and Richardson offer similar advantages, with lower property crime concerns and more predictable residential environments.
Areas Many Travel Nurses Avoid in Dallas-Fort Worth
Travel nurses frequently avoid parts of South Dallas and certain transitional neighborhoods south and east of downtown due to limited furnished inventory and higher variability in block-by-block safety. Short-term rentals in these areas often lack secure parking, and vehicle break-ins are a common concern for travelers arriving with out-of-state plates.
Some industrial-adjacent zones near major freeway interchanges appear affordable but present housing challenges, including poor lighting, inconsistent property management, and unpredictable commute times despite short distances to hospitals. Avoidance is typically driven by housing reliability and risk management rather than cost alone.
Things for Travel Nurses to Do and See in Dallas, Texas
Travel nurses on short-term assignments in Dallas often look for meaningful ways to spend their limited time off without overplanning or feeling like tourists. Dallas offers a wide range of activities that fit naturally into single days off or longer weekend breaks, making it easy to explore the city while on assignment.
Outdoor Activities
White Rock Lake is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Dallas, offering a paved loop trail that local runners and cyclists use daily. For travel nurses coming off long shifts, the steady activity and lake views make White Rock Lake Park an easy place to unwind without committing to a full-day outing.
The Katy Trail provides another Dallas-specific outdoor option, cutting through Uptown and connecting to Victory Park. For a slower-paced experience, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located along White Rock Lake and offers carefully maintained gardens and rotating seasonal exhibits that reward repeat visits during longer assignments.
Sporting Events and Professional Sports Teams in the Area
Dallas has a strong professional sports culture that travel nurses can tap into even during short stays. The Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where game days feel like regional events rather than simple sporting contests.
The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars both play at the American Airlines Center, offering frequent opportunities to attend NBA and NHL games during the fall and winter seasons. FC Dallas, based in Frisco, provides a professional soccer experience that reflects the sport’s growing popularity in North Texas.
Museums
The Dallas Museum of Art anchors the Dallas Arts District and allows visitors to explore a wide-ranging permanent collection without an admission fee. Travel nurses on longer assignments often appreciate the ability to return multiple times and focus on different galleries with each visit.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, located near Victory Park, features interactive exhibits focused on science, engineering, and natural history. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza offers a more focused historical experience tied to a specific Dallas landmark, making it well-suited for a half-day visit.
Cultural Events
Many of Dallas’s cultural events are tied to institutions within the Dallas Arts District, including exhibitions and performances hosted by the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Programming changes frequently, which benefits travel nurses who arrive mid-season and want current experiences rather than static attractions.
Fair Park also plays a major role in Dallas’s cultural calendar, hosting exhibitions and events connected to long-standing city traditions. These gatherings give travel nurses a clearer sense of how arts and culture operate as part of everyday life in Dallas.
Shopping
NorthPark Center is one of Dallas’s best-known shopping destinations and blends high-end and mainstream retailers with large-scale public art installations. Many travel nurses find it useful not only for shopping, but as a comfortable place to spend a few unhurried hours.
Galleria Dallas offers another large shopping environment, organized around its central indoor ice rink. For nurses looking for a more localized experience, established shopping districts across Dallas provide access to independent boutiques and specialty stores.
Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from Dallas (Within ~1–3 Hours)
Fort Worth is one of the most popular day trips from Dallas, offering a distinct cultural identity and major museums such as the Kimbell Art Museum. Its proximity makes it easy for travel nurses to explore during a single day off.
Glen Rose, home to Dinosaur Valley State Park, and Waco, which features the Dr Pepper Museum, are also common weekend destinations. These nearby cities provide variety without requiring extensive travel planning.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Dallas Zoo is a frequent choice for travel nurses who bring family members or host visiting relatives during their assignment. Its expansive layout allows families to move at their own pace while covering a wide range of exhibits.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science appeals to families due to its interactive design, while the Legoland Discovery Center in Grapevine offers an indoor option focused specifically on younger children.
Free & Budget-Friendly Things to Do
The Dallas Museum of Art’s free permanent collection makes it one of the most accessible cultural attractions in the city for travel nurses watching discretionary spending. Repeat visits are common for those on multi-month assignments.
White Rock Lake Park and Klyde Warren Park both offer free outdoor space within the city, while public art installations throughout the Dallas Arts District provide additional no-cost exploration opportunities.
Live Music & Performing Arts
The AT&T Performing Arts Center is a central venue for live performances in Dallas, hosting touring Broadway productions and major concerts. Its location in the Arts District makes it easy to pair performances with other cultural activities.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, offering a traditional performing arts experience that appeals to travel nurses seeking quieter evenings.
Seasonal & Annual Events
The State Fair of Texas, held each fall at Fair Park, is one of Dallas’s most recognizable annual events and often becomes a highlight for travel nurses assigned during that season. The fair’s scale and location make it a uniquely Dallas experience.
Holiday programming at the Dallas Arboretum and recurring arts events in the Dallas Arts District provide additional time-based markers that help travel nurses associate specific moments with their Dallas assignment.
