Healthcare Jobs in Austin, TX
Austin healthcare hiring runs through three big systems, St. David's HealthCare, Ascension Seton and Baylor Scott & White, plus the state-run Austin State Hospital. St. David's topped every Austin employer for job postings in Opportunity Austin's May 2026 report. Here are the current openings, then who is hiring and what it pays.
Current healthcare Openings in Austin, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Healthcare Work in Austin
Austin's hospital jobs cluster in a few places a resident would recognize: the Innovation District downtown, where Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas sits on Red River next to Dell Medical School; the central medical corridor along W 38th Street and 32nd Street, home to Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin and St. David's Medical Center; Mueller, where Dell Children's Medical Center anchors pediatric care; and the fast-growing suburbs up I-35 and US 183, where St. David's Round Rock, Baylor Scott & White Round Rock and Ascension Seton Cedar Park keep adding beds.
Demand follows population. The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro passed 2.5 million residents and grew faster than any other major Texas metro from 2024 to 2025, and hospitals in Williamson and Hays counties have been expanding to keep up. Outside the hospitals, the public safety-net clinics of CommUnityCare, the Lone Star Circle of Care network and the rebuilt Austin State Hospital on Guadalupe Street hire steadily for nursing, behavioral health and clinic support roles.
Top Austin Employers Hiring Healthcare Workers
These Austin employers hire across nursing, clinical support and patient services:
- St. David's HealthCare - the HCA-affiliated system runs eight Central Texas hospitals and more than 180 sites of care with over 10,600 employees.
- Ascension Seton - runs Dell Seton, Seton Medical Center Austin, Dell Children's and suburban hospitals, and is staffing its new women's hospital.
- Baylor Scott & White Health - eight Central Texas hospitals, including the Magnet-designated Round Rock medical center on University Boulevard.
- Austin State Hospital - the Texas HHSC psychiatric hospital on Guadalupe, rebuilt in 2024 with 240 patient rooms, hires nurses and LVNs.
- CommUnityCare Health Centers - Travis County's safety-net clinic network hires RNs, medical assistants and dental staff.
- Austin Regional Clinic - the multispecialty physician group recruits nurses and medical assistants for clinics across the metro.
Healthcare Salaries in Austin
- Entry level support roles: about $17 to $22 an hour for nursing assistants, medical assistants and pharmacy technicians.
- Licensed vocational nurses: roughly $28 to $35 an hour, with a metro median near $31.
- Registered nurses: about $39 to $51 an hour for the middle half of the field, with a median near $47 and top earners above $61.
These are estimates drawn from BLS 2025 wage data for the Austin metro. Healthcare support workers here average $20.67 an hour, above the national average, while licensed and degreed roles pay more with night shifts, specialty units and certifications. Hospital systems also use sign-on bonuses, with St. David's advertising up to $10,000 for nurses in Austin.
How to Start a Healthcare Career in Austin
The entry point depends on the role. Many support jobs need a short certificate or on-the-job training, while nursing requires an approved program and a license from the Texas Board of Nursing, which issues RN and LVN licenses after the NCLEX and the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. Austin Community College trains vocational nurses and associate degree nurses at its Eastview Campus on Webberville Road, with more nursing seats at Highland and Round Rock. UT Austin's School of Nursing on Red River, Texas State's St. David's School of Nursing in Round Rock and Concordia University Texas's accelerated BSN on Research Boulevard round out the four-year options.
What the Job Involves
Healthcare work covers direct patient care, clinical testing and the administrative work that keeps hospitals and clinics running. Depending on the role, a day can include taking vital signs, giving medications, drawing blood, preparing exam rooms, documenting care in an electronic health record, scheduling patients and coordinating with physicians and nurses. Most hospital jobs run 8 or 12 hour shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Skills Employers Look For
- A current license or certification for the role
- BLS certification from the American Heart Association
- Electronic health record experience, such as Epic
- Clear communication with patients and families
- Attention to detail with medications and charting
- Bilingual English and Spanish
Career Path and Advancement
Austin's systems are built for climbing. A common route starts as a nursing assistant or patient care tech, moves to LVN through ACC's vocational program, then to RN through ACC's mobility track, and on to a BSN at UT, Texas State or Concordia. From there, nurses move into specialty units, charge roles, education and management, and St. David's runs a nurse residency program for new graduates.
Related Careers in Austin
For a closer look at specific healthcare roles in Austin, start here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the biggest healthcare employers in Austin?
St. David's HealthCare, Ascension Seton and Baylor Scott & White run the Austin metro's major hospital networks. Austin State Hospital, CommUnityCare, Lone Star Circle of Care and Austin Regional Clinic add large numbers of clinic and behavioral health jobs.
How much do healthcare workers make in Austin?
It depends on the license. Support roles such as medical assistants and nursing assistants generally earn about $17 to $22 an hour, LVNs around $31 an hour at the median, and registered nurses around $47 an hour at the median, based on BLS 2025 data for the metro.
Can I get a healthcare job in Austin without experience?
Yes. Many support and patient services roles train on the job or need only a short certificate. Starting as a patient care tech, unit secretary or medical assistant is a common way into the St. David's, Ascension Seton and Baylor Scott & White systems.
Where can I study nursing in Austin?
Austin Community College offers vocational nursing and associate degree nursing at its Eastview Campus, with ADN seats at Highland and Round Rock. UT Austin, Texas State's St. David's School of Nursing in Round Rock and Concordia University Texas offer bachelor's degrees.
Do Austin hospitals offer sign-on bonuses?
Some do. St. David's HealthCare advertises sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000 for nurses in Austin, and bonuses vary by unit and shift. Check each posting for the current terms.
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